Removing tartar from wine vats - using aq sodium carbonate soln

摘要

Crude tartar crystals (acid potassium tarrate) are removed from internal surfaces of wine vats using aq. Na2CO3 soln. The soln. is circulated around the vat by a mechanical pump opening into the exit line from the vat, and having a pipe to force the soln. back to spray the internal surfaces. Tartar deposits are efficiently removed without damage to the vat walls (e.g. wood or concrete) which occured in conventional flaming methods. The extract is worked up with stron acid to yield tartaric acid, a valuable byproduct.