Many tanks: stainless technology means new options

Wines & Vines, July, 2002 by Jennifer Rofe

"Besides the punch-down system, the tanks' onboard PLC handles the opening and closing of the cold and hot valves on the glycol jacket based on the values the user sets. These are all standard equipment, as well as all vents and valves on the tank." Long says that an automatic pomace discharge system, which also allows discharge of seeds during fermentation, is available as well.

To enhance its tanks, A & B Process Systems uses software that allows the company to view its tanks virtually and improve upon design and maintenance. "We frequently utilize 3-D AutoCad modeling software to circumvent any vessel design or maintenance issues before we begin production," Charles Treankler, marketing coordinator, says. "A 3-D virtual vessel drawing also gives our customers a chance to see their vessel or process skid before a single weld is made. This 'virtual' walk-through frequently leads to ergonomic and maintenance design improvements.

Bruno Criveller, owner of Criveller California Corp., said the company is experiencing an increase in orders "because we offer pre-formed raised dimpled jackets over flat-dimpled sheet jackets, stainless steel legs over mild stainless steel frames, which require painting and are subject to rust. Furthermore, we offer...double wall tanks instead of foam and polyurethane to protect against very hot climates."

IDIAZ--which according to Chris Diaz makes only custom tanks and also provides on-site tank modifications, tank setting and anchoring, tank stands, glycol jacket additions and raising and lowering tanks-is currently "working with a customer on tanks that can be stacked and tilted so that the contents can be poured out into a press." The tanks are also square to save space.

In light of the advances in tank technology, Dapelo says that while tanks in the future will become more flexible and have multiple purposes, he thinks the future of winemaking can go down different paths. One group of winemakers, he says, will utilize technology "to produce a more uniform, predictable product," and the other group will follow a "traditionalist" approach, opting for a hands-on method "that would allow them to craft wines following techniques handed down for generations."

"Winemaking is an age-old tradition, and change is slow at best," Davis points out. "Often, new technology is not desired, as the old ways are time-honored and proven.

How Will Stainless Tanks Affect Your Pocketbook?

"That is a difficult question to answer without explanation," Dapelo says. "Stainless tanks, like automobiles, have many different design applications and a huge range of sizes that determine the final price. In general, the least expensive wine tank would begin at $2,000, and stadium-sized tanks could easily run $300,000 each. A common sized 3,000-gallon wine fermentation/storage tank can range from $6,000 to $12,000 depending on how it is outfitted."

"Cost is dependent on material, size and quantity required; the larger the tank, the lower the cost per gallon," Krol says, adding that surcharges on nickel and chromium, which can fluctuate, affect material price.