PentaSTAB must rectification plants are advanced ion exchange systems designed to produce rectified concentrated must (MCR). The process removes non-sugar components like organic acids, minerals, and phenolic compounds, resulting in a high-purity sugar solution essential for enrichment and sweetening in winemaking.
Technical data of must rectification plants
Technical data of must rectification plants
What it means
Must rectification is the process of purifying grape must to obtain a neutral sugar solution. By removing acids and salts, the must becomes a versatile ingredient for winemaking, allowing for precise adjustment of sugar levels without altering the sensory profile.
How it works
The plant utilizes a series of cation and anion exchange resins. These resins selectively remove cations (like potassium and calcium) and anions (like tartaric and malic acids), ensuring a clear, stable, and deionized product ready for concentration.
Automation
Equipped with advanced sensors and PLC control, the plant manages the entire cycle from deionization to resin regeneration. This ensures consistent product quality, optimized chemical usage, and minimal manual intervention during the production campaign.
Process concept and operating strategy
The rectification process is fundamental for producing high-quality MCR. PentaSTAB systems are engineered to handle varying must compositions, providing a reliable solution for wineries looking to standardize their production.
The must passes through cation resins to remove metallic ions and then through anion resins to eliminate organic acids. This dual-stage treatment is critical for achieving the neutral pH and low conductivity required for rectified must.
In addition to deionization, the system can be configured to remove pigments and polyphenols. This results in a colorless sugar solution that does not impact the visual characteristics of the final wine.
The regeneration cycles are optimized to reduce water and chemical consumption. Automated monitoring of effluent quality ensures that resins are fully restored to their active state, maintaining peak performance throughout the season.
- Production of high-purity rectified concentrated must.
- Complete removal of organic acids and mineral salts.
- Enhanced stability and shelf-life of the concentrated product.
- Scalable designs to meet different production volumes.
- User-friendly interface for real-time process monitoring.
Useful references
Grape Must
Deionization Process
Wine Enrichment
Sizing inputs:
Sugar content (Brix), initial pH, total acidity, mineral content, required daily output, and available utilities.
Technical data for must rectification plants
| Model | Resin volume (L) (SAC + AD + AF + Polishing) | Instant flow rate (hL/h) | Treated volume (hL/day) | NaOH 50% consumption (L/cycle) | H₂SO₄ 50% consumption (L/cycle) | Water consumption (L/cycle) | Plant dimensions (L x W x H) | Recommended evaporator – Capacity |
| System MCR 125 | 125 + 175 + 75 + 75 | 3.8 | 34 | 22 | 22 | 3.200 | 3.800 x 1.400 x 2.300 mm | 3.400 LT/Giorno |
| System MCR 250 | 250 + 350 + 100 + 100 | 7.5 | 67 | 43 | 44 | 6.300 | 4.500 x 1.600 x 2.700 mm | 6.700 LT/Giorno |
| System MCR 500 | 500 + 700 + 175 + 175 | 15 | 133 | 86 | 88 | 12.500 | 3.800 x 1.400 x 2.300 mm | 13.300 LT/Giorno |
| System MCR 1.000 | 1.000 + 1.400 + 350 + 350 | 30 | 266 | 173 | 176 | 25.000 | 4.500 x 1.600 x 2.700 mm | 26.600 LT/Giorno |
| System MCR 2.000 | 2.000 + 2.800 + 700 + 700 | 60 | 533 | 346 | 352 | 50.000 | 5.400 x 2.200 x 2.800 mm | |
| System MCR 3.000 | 3.000 + 4.200 + 1.050 + 1.050 | 90 | 800 | 520 | 528 | 75.000 | 6.500 x 2.200 x 3.800 mm |
FAQ
MCR is a pure sugar solution obtained from grape must by removing all non-sugar components. It is used in winemaking for enrichment and sweetening without adding external flavors or colors.
Deionization removes mineral salts and organic acids that would otherwise interfere with the stability and purity of the concentrated sugar solution.
Yes, PentaFood rectification plants are designed to be flexible and can be adjusted to process various must compositions by tuning the resin types and regeneration parameters.