Process Heat
Voyager Craft Malt
Voyager Craft Malt produces malt for craft brewers and distillers using their own locally grown and regionally sourced cereal grains. This boutique malthouse is located at Whitton in the Riverina, NSW Australia.
The Issue
The company prides itself on using sustainable agricultural practices to grow the grains that goes into their malt. It was equally important for Voyager Craft Malt to find a cost effective, environmentally responsible heat source for malt production.
The Alternatives
The company compared the use of LPG with the use of a Pyrocal CCT system to produce heat.
The Solution
The Pyrocal CCT system was selected to provide the heat source for kilning. Locally sourced walnut shells provide the biomass for the Pyrocal CCT system to generate the energy. This is achieved without burning fossil fuels.
Conveniently, the process also results in biochar that is on-sold for a wide variety of uses.
The Results
Voyager Craft Malt commissioned the larger of their two existing malting systems in September 2016. This malting system is integrated with the Pyrocal CCT system on site which provides ~500kw of heat for malt kilning needs.
The net annual savings are $54,000, or a 60% reduction in heat costs compared to using LPG.
Voyager are looking to expand production by upgrading with a second CCT system or replacing the existing system with a higher output model.
“The energy from the production of the biochar is used to heat the kilns in the malthouse. We would struggle to have a viable business model without it. Having this unique heat source also allows us even more flexibility in flavour and aroma management.”
