SB Carlsberg Flask

How does the Carlsberg flask work?

When the wort is well aerated, the yeast culture is introduced aseptically through the membrane fitting using a 150-200 ml syringe. You can also transfer dry yeast culture to the flask through the empty filter housing. If you need larger quantities of yeast, the lid can be dismantled and the culture poured into the flask. This procedure, however, requires a sterile environment and the highest degree of precaution.

Transfer to yeast propagation plant

The transfer of pure yeast culture into the yeast propagation plant should take place at the “high kräussend” stage under aseptic conditions and requires a sterile air supply to the breathing filter. Recommended sterile air supply during inoculation into yeast propagation plant is 2 bar and must not exceed 5 bar (72.5 psi) at any time. The yeast culture can be pressed from the flask into the inoculator once the membrane sample valve on the lid of the Carlsberg flask has been connected to a sample device on the receiving vessel (the inoculator).

Sterilization and connection procedures

The connecting hose, membrane sample valve and all other connections must be thoroughly sterilized with either alcohol or steam before transfer. Between operations, the valve can be sealed with alcohol, which can then be flushed out with sterile air prior to use.

Inoculation process

When you have made the connection and you are ready to inoculate, we recommend first opening the sterile air supply, then the membrane sample valve on top of the flask and finally the sample device on the inoculator.

When the culture has been transferred (indicated by a bubbling noise in the inoculator), we recommend continuing with the air supply for another couple of minutes to make sure that all of the yeast culture has been transferred.

Finally, the sample device on the receiving vessel and the membrane sample valve on the Carlsberg flask can be closed, effectively closing offer the air supply.

Cleaning and construction

After use, the flask needs to be taken apart and cleaned manually with normal detergents. The Alfa Laval SB Carlsberg Flask consists of a cylindrical container with a flat bottom and top cover equipped with breathing filters, a membrane sampling valve for aeration and product transfer, and a micro sample port for aseptic introduction of pure yeast cultivation. During the transfer of pure yeast culture from the Alfa Laval SB Carlsberg Flask to the yeast propagation plant, it is important that all hose tails are safely fastened with hose clips.

Preparation and sterilization

The flask is filled with wort to the net capacity (approximately 80% of the total volume) sterilized using an autoclave, a gas burner or an electric hotplate. The flask is then placed in a refrigerator or a cold room to cool the wort to the desired working temperature. The cold wort is aerated through the membrane sampling valve connected to the aeration lance, preparing the environment for yeast cultivation.

Yeast culture can be introduced aseptically through the membrane fitting with a syringe, or dry yeast culture can be transferred to the flask through the empty filter housing. These steps are essential for successful yeast cultivation.

The breathing filter can remain attached to the flask during sterilization. However, if the breathing filter has been sterilized separately, it is important to reattach it while steam is still evaporating from the flask (at the end phase of the wort sterilization) so that the filter connection is also sterilized. The empty filter housing can be used as funnel for transferring pure dry yeast culture to the flask.

Aeration and safety precautions

The cold wort is then aerated through the membrane sampling valve connected to the aeration lance. It is important to use sterile air. For safety reasons, it is also recommended to feed the wort through a filter mounted ahead of the membrane sampling valve .

Air supply and flow should be moderate to avoid foaming. It is important that foam does not come into contact with the breathing filter because it may block and damage the filter.

The easiest way to determine the right conditions for the air supply as well as the time needed for aeration (less than 10 minutes) is to test with the flask lid open. Note that you cannot use the yeast culture from these tests.