Ullage level monitoring model using sensors inside and outside the system in the fino-style winemaking aging process

Manual control of wine production possibly can be ineffective, considering in a winery there could be more than one parameter quality control with many tanks or barrels produced at the same time. In the aging process of Fino-style winemaking, the ullage must be maintained at a constant level. Considering the existing barrels and tanks, space is needed to place the sensor to collect data with the best result possible. In the case of sensor placement inside the system, an ultrasonic sensor is used by acquiring the time data needed to receive the signal emitted from the sensor. Whereas in the case of sensor placement outside the system, a microphone is being used to acquire sound frequency data generated from hitting wine cask with solenoids in a sample time of 100ms. Based on the latest research, the two sensors can be used to acquire ullage data from casks. However, for long-term use of an ullage monitoring system, it is recommended to use the inside one, although it is more expensive, the simple working principle and easier maintenance making it unlikely to hire experts only for dealing with the sensor nodes. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.