Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Brewing Practices
Client: Wolf of the Willows Brewery
Industry: Brewing
Project: Heat Exchanger Replacement and Upgrade
Application: Wort Cooling & Liquor Preheating, Trade Waste Water Cooling
Location: Victoria
Products: IKP Brew Plate Exchanger

Background
Wolf of the Willows, an innovative brewery in Australia, was facing challenges related to energy efficiency and waste management in their brewing process. Breweries traditionally use a heat exchanger to cool the wort (unfermented beer) after the boiling stage by transferring its heat to preheat incoming liquor (brewing water). This process saves significant energy, as less heat is needed to bring the liquor to the required temperature for brewing. The client’s existing heat exchanger was no longer performing efficiently, leading to increased energy consumption and operational costs. Additionally, the disposal of trade waste water from keg washing posed a challenge, as the water needed to be cooled to regulated temperatures before discharge.
The Solution
The client approached InKorr to leverage our heat exchanger expertise in providing a comprehensive solution – from thermal sizing and design, to fabrication and testing of a brand new plate heat exchanger, with the added goal of increasing capacity for future expansion. The project unfolded in two key phases:
- Replacement of the Wort Cooling Heat Exchanger: InKorr supplied a brand new IKP Brew Plate Exchanger, specifically designed for the brewery’s wort cooling process. This fully-stainless heat exchanger provided highly efficient thermal transfer, significantly improving the wort cooling process. The recovered heat was effectively transferred to preheat the incoming liquor, reducing the energy required for the brewing process. This upgrade not only enhanced energy efficiency but also ensured consistent brewing temperatures, leading to improved product quality.
- Repurposing the Old Heat Exchanger: The old plate heat exchanger was adapted to cool trade waste water from the brewery’s keg washing and sterilizing operations. This innovative reuse allowed the brewery to efficiently lower the temperature of trade waste water, ensuring compliance with local environmental regulations before discharge. This not only helped the brewery achieve their target of environmentally friendly beer brewing but also allowed them to maximise use of existing assets.

Results
- Energy Efficiency: The new IKP Brew Plate Exchanger reduced the energy required for the wort cooling and liquor preheating process, contributing to lower operational costs and a more sustainable brewing process.
- Future-Proofing: With the increased capacity of the new heat exchanger, the client is well-positioned to expand their operations in the future without needing further modifications to their heat recovery system.
- Sustainability: The reconfiguration of the old heat exchanger for cooling trade waste water provided a cost-effective solution that extended the lifespan of existing equipment while ensuring regulatory compliance. This innovative approach minimized waste and supported the brewery’s commitment to sustainable brewing practices.
Conclusion
InKorr’s expertise in heat exchanger technology not only addressed the immediate energy efficiency and waste management challenges faced by Wolf of the Willows Brewery but also provided a scalable solution to support their future growth. Find out more or contact us for any heat exchanger replacement, upgrade, or refurbishment projects.