Dr. Fabio Tordonato from the Enology Center in Pozzuolo del Friuli (UD) uses a SONICA 3200 EP ultrasonic cleaner to degas the wine samples that will be analysed in infrared spectroscopy.

Use of SONICA, Soltec’s ultrasonic cleaner

In our laboratory the ultrasonic cleaner has multiple uses. It is used for the solubilization of substances in water and other solutions and to clean the laboratory’s glass-works. However, its main use is the “degasification” function, which means to reduce the quantity of CO₂ in those wine samples that will be analyzed in infrared spectroscopy.

CO₂ is found in all wines and it can alter the result of the infrared spectroscopy tests since it creates bubbles in the instrument that performs the analysis. In order to avoid this, some samples are immersed in the ultrasonic cleaner for a 5 minutes cycle. At the end of it the samples are ready to be processed in the infrared spectrophotometer.

This has been a very efficient process to eliminate the CO₂ from the fermenting must and sparkling wines, both with the classical method (Champenois) and in autoclave.

From the tests performed in our laboratory, it resulted that Soltec’s ultrasonic cleaner is perfect for this kind of activity. In fact, wines or any liquids containing CO₂ can be treated quickly and easily, reducing the CO₂ quantity below the 1.5 g/L critical threshold. However, it is important to change the water frequently so that the rising temperature won’t make the alcohol evaporate.

In the images below you can see how the ultrasonic cleaner in our laboratory and the whole process the wine samples go through.

Dott. Fabio Tordonato

Centro di Riferimento Enologico S.r.l.
Via IV Genova n°9
33050 Pozzuolo del Friuli (UD)

Fig. 1 Wine samples in the ultrasonic cleaner during the degasification process.

Fig. 2 Wine samples in the ultrasonic cleaner during the degasification process.

Fig. 3 SONICA ultrasonic cleaner in our laboratory.

Fig. 4 Analysis of wine samples that has been through the degasification process.

Fig. 5 Sparkling wine samples on the holder.

Fig. 6 Sparklig wine samples ready to go through the CO₂ elimination process.

Fig. 7  Sparklig wine samples during the degasification process.