What's the purpose of a glycol tank?

A glycol water tank is commonly used in a brewery to cool down the wort (the liquid extracted from the malted grains during the brewing process) and maintain a consistent temperature in various parts of the brewing process. Glycol is a type of fluid that is circulated through a closed-loop system to remove heat from the wort, and the glycol water tank serves as the reservoir for this fluid.

The glycol water tank is usually connected to a chiller, which cools down the glycol fluid to a desired temperature. The glycol fluid is then circulated through tubing or coils that are immersed in the wort, such as in the heat exchanger or fermentation vessels. This helps to remove excess heat and maintain a consistent temperature for optimal brewing conditions.

The use of glycol water tanks in breweries is especially important for large-scale commercial brewing, as it allows for more precise temperature control and faster cooling times. This can result in higher quality beer and a more efficient brewing process.