Ozone can be used to clean barrels, tanks and other equipment; it can help to stop spoilage and reduce the incidence of oxidation; and it can even be employed as a safeguard against microbial contamination. In this article, we’ll take a look at how ozone is used in the wine industry and some of its benefits. Stay tuned!

Ozone is an effective sterilizer, making it useful for many aspects of wine processing. Ozone can be used in clean-in-place systems and for controlling bacteria in barrels. In many cases, ozone offers a safer, more cost-effective solution than traditional chemical solutions.

Ozone and the Wine Industry

Ozone’s broad sterilizing capacity makes it especially beneficial in a variety of wine processing applications. Ozone may be utilized in a range of cleaning equipment, as well as preventing germs in barrels. Because of its antimicrobial action, ozone is frequently a safer, less costly, and more efficient option than traditional chemical methods. 

Benefits of Using Ozone

  • Ozone offers higher sanitization quality, time and energy savings
  • Decreased chemical use by using natural ozone gas, which is produced safely
  • Economical through sophisticated, yet easy-to-use integration
  • Ozone generation systems are the world’s most powerful cleaning process
  • Commercially available disinfectant – Ozone kills microbes up to 5000 times faster than weaker oxidizers like chlorine, but it decomposes naturally into oxygen unlike harsher agents with harmful disinfection by-products

Clean-In-Place (CIP) of Piping

The most common threat to winemaking is contamination, which can occur at any point during production – from harvest to final bottling. Clean-in-Place (CIP) mitigates this problem by cleaning and sanitizing pump systems, pipes, tanks, hoses, filters and bottling lines. Incorporating ozone in the CIP process not only saves time but also reduces costs overall. Ozone water is circulated through the piping system where it reacts with organic material buildup.

Ozone generators with built-in controls often receive signals from ozone sensors connected to the pipes or tanks. This makes it possible to clean and sanitize machinery easily and automatically.

If no disinfection is done, CIP sanitation must be carried out one of these two ways. Chlorine or iodine solutions are typically used to destroy germs, and they require numerous rinses afterwards to remove unpleasant residues. The alternative is to use heat, which is costly to produce and exposes cellar workers to harm.

Ozone disinfects in a cost-effective way at low temperature ambient conditions with no harsh chemical residues. By using cold water instead of hot, you can avoid issues such as line degradation and repair caused by the expansion and contraction of welds. Moreover, heat can also bake on materials inside lines, making it more tough to clean– however cold water ozone avoids this problem.

Ozone for Bottling Industry

Ozone is a gas that is naturally present in the Earth’s upper atmosphere. It is formed when ultraviolet light from the sun interacts with oxygen molecules. Ozone is a powerful oxidant, meaning it can readily react with other molecules to form new compounds. This makes it an ideal disinfectant for water and air. In addition, ozone is also effective at dissolving organic matter. As a result, it has a wide range of applications in industry, including water purification and bottling. Ozone is often used in the bottling industry to clean bottles and remove contaminants. It is also used to sterilize equipment and prevent the growth of bacteria. As a result, ozone plays an important role in ensuring the safety of bottled water.

The benefits of ozone in the wine industry are vast and varied. Ozone can be used as a disinfectant to kill bacteria, it can reduce oxidation, and it can remove unwanted compounds from wine. Additionally, ozone is an effective sanitizer for winemaking equipment and facilities. Wineries that use ozone report increased quality and consistency in their wines, as well as improved profitability.

Bottom Line

If you are a winemaker looking for ways to better sanitize your product and increase profits, consider using ozone. It is an affordable, safe, and effective way to make better wine. Have you tried using ozone in your winery? Let us know how it went in the comments below!