In modern winemaking, tartaric stability is essential to ensure product quality and shelf life. Among the most effective and increasingly adopted technologies for this purpose is electrodialysis — an electrochemical process that selectively removes ions such as potassium and calcium, which are responsible for tartrate precipitation, without the need for additives or thermal treatments.
What is Electrodialysis and Why It Matters in Winemaking
Electrodialysis (ED) is an ion separation technology that uses electric fields to drive charged particles through selective membranes. In winemaking, it’s used to stabilize wine tartrate levels, maintaining the wine’s sensory properties and structure. Compared to traditional methods like cold stabilization or additive use, electrodialysis is more efficient, less invasive, and significantly more sustainable.
The iAM ED System by ACRAM: Cutting-Edge Technology for Modern Wineries
Within this technological landscape, ACRAM – part of Omnia Technologies – has developed the iAM ED system, an advanced electrodialysis solution tailored for the wine industry. It combines leading-edge components with innovative engineering, setting a new standard for performance, automation, and sustainability.
High-Quality Stacks and Advanced Plant Design
At the core of the system are stacks — the modular units where ion exchange takes place — supplied by one of the global leaders in membrane technology. These are embedded in a highly sophisticated process structure, designed by ACRAM to ensure long-term reliability and optimal performance.
Advanced Automation and Ease of Use
One of the defining features of the iAM ED system is its advanced automation, which drastically simplifies a traditionally complex process, making it accessible even to non-expert operators. Thanks to redundant control systems, the machine can run 24/7 in unattended mode, ensuring maximum operational continuity.
A built-in data logging system captures every phase of the treatment, making it easy to access historical data and monitor real-time parameters — a major asset for traceability and quality control.
Innovative Hydraulic Design for Stack Management
ACRAM has introduced an innovative hydraulic scheme for managing stack flows. The system uses mix-proof valves that ensure strict separation of fluids, enabling the application of the “crossing” cleaning and regeneration process. This approach delivers effective flow on both sides of the membranes, ensuring optimal washing performance and preserving membrane longevity.
Coupled with a full suite of field instrumentation, the system allows real-time monitoring of both stack performance and membrane condition. A continuous self-diagnosis function, cycle after cycle, enables predictive maintenance planning and ensures stable performance over time.
A Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly Solution
Sustainability is a core element of the iAM ED system. The plant is engineered to reduce water footprint, optimize chemical usage during cleaning cycles, and minimize energy consumption, making it a low-impact, environmentally friendly solution.
Additionally, the system is pre-configured to integrate with ACRAM’s water recovery modules, which reclaim waste water containing extracted ions. This feature reduces process water consumption by at least 50%, significantly contributing to resource efficiency in winery operations.
The iAM ED electrodialysis system by ACRAM is among the most advanced and reliable solutions available today for winemakers seeking superior quality, process automation, traceability, and environmental responsibility. With over 30 years of experience in the wine sector behind it, this system is designed to meet the most demanding needs of modern wineries while maintaining a sustainable and forward-thinking approach.
To learn more about ACRAM’s solutions and the iAM ED system, contact our technical team.
Comments are closed