Nueva prensa vertical de vino basada en colchón de aire diseñada mediante estudio por elementos finitos

Abstract

In this paper is presented a new concept of wine vertical press developed by the Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España (CVNE) and partially designed by the Universidad de La Rioja (UR) and the Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA). This new prototype has been built by different wine sector industries - financed and coordinated by CVNE – and previosly simulated, using finite elements, by the UR and UPNA. The new press is cradle for the substitution of the hydraulic plate by a cylindrical pneumatic air mattress which press the grapes. This mattress is placed in the superior part of the press so that when it is swelling, conforms to the irregularities of the surface of the grape obtained a homogenous pressure which helps to improve the quality of the pressed wine. In addition, we eliminate the expensive cylinders and hydraulic pumps, increasing considerably the capacity of the press - since the limitations in the design engineering are reduced so that it is possible to be considerably increased the dimensions of the mattress and tank.