Description
A variable capacity tank earns its keep when harvest volumes do not match your tank list. The lid floats directly on the wine surface, so one vessel handles 60% or 95% of its nominal volume without the oxygen pickup you get in a partly filled fixed-top tank. Trial blends, single vineyard blocks, and lots that come in heavier than the estimate all end up in the same tank.
Fabrication and material choices
Shell and bottom are 304 stainless as standard. We move to 316L when the must is high in acid, when the tank will also serve for long lees storage, or when the winery runs aggressive cleaning cycles. Interior is 2B mill finish; welds are ground flush, brushed, and passivated so there is no crevice for tartrate or lees to sit in. The floating lid carries a food-grade gasket and a clamp ring, and we leave a fill port on top so you can top up without breaking the seal.
Half-pipe jacket instead of dimple
Half-pipe gives glycol a defined channel, so flow stays continuous and pressure drop is predictable across the panel. Dimple plate is cheaper and works fine for storage, but during an active red fermentation the heat load changes hour to hour. Half-pipe recovers faster and tolerates higher inlet pressure, which matters when your chiller is running near its limit. Coverage is sized to the job: reds typically get full shell coverage plus a bottom section to hold 28-30 C, whites and rose often need 60-70% and pull down to 12-16 C quickly. Tall tanks get split zones so you are not fighting stratification.
Fittings and connections
- Tri-clamp or DIN ferrules, 1.5 in. to 3 in.
- Racking arm with adjustable position
- Sample valve and thermometer port
- CIP spray ball sized to tank diameter
- Pressure and vacuum relief, plus a bung for dry ice or inert gas
- Bottom outlet with butterfly valve, optional must port
Typical specifications
| Parameter | Standard range |
|---|---|
| Nominal volume | 500-20,000 L |
| Material | 304 or 316L stainless |
| Interior finish | 2B, Ra 0.8 um on request |
| Jacket | Half-pipe, 60-100% coverage |
| Jacket working pressure | 3 bar, tested at 6 bar |
| Insulation | 50-80 mm polyurethane |
Questions we get before quoting
Does the floating lid hold pressure?
No. It seals against oxygen, not against pressure. Anything above a few tenths of a bar needs a fixed-top tank with a rated relief valve.
Can I use one tank for reds and whites?
Yes, if the jacket is sized for the red heat load. A tank built only for white fermentation will struggle in September.
Before you request a quote, note your largest and smallest lot sizes, the must temperature you start at, and your glycol supply temperature. Those three numbers decide the jacket area more than the tank volume does. Tell us your lot sizes, wine type, number of tanks, and available floor space, and we will recommend the volume, jacket coverage, and fitting layout for your cellar.
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I want to express my 100% satisfaction with Ace . The service was outstanding: quick, professional, and friendly. Polly provided excellent support throughout. The delivered 100 gallon copper pot still distillery equipment product perfectly meets my expectations and stands out fo r its excellent quality. I feel well taken care of and will recommend you without hesitation.
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Best regards,
Oliver Brown
