Over the past year, the Deep Eddy Vodka team in Buda, Texas has been making some subtle changes to their distillation process, with significant benefits!

The project started when a recent boiler inspection yielded less than ideal results.  In conjunction with the distillery’s mechanical, engineering & plumbing partner, the DEV Processing Team dug in to examine possible solutions for extending the life of the boiler.  The Processing Team ran multiple trials making small incremental changes to the steam temperature and then monitoring the performance of the equipment and product.  Through these changes, the Processing Team was able to optimize the steam temperature and flow rate from the boiler to the distillation column.  They also added glycol to chilled water loop for more efficient condensation of vapors.

These changes improved performance of the chiller, RO water system, and boiler.  In addition (and most exciting to our Environment & Sustainability Team), these changes have reduced the Buda plant’s natural gas consumption by 50% per proof gallon distilled! Part of Heaven Hill’s 2030 Environmental Sustainability Strategy focuses on driving toward a zero carbon emissions future.  With these improvements, the Deep Eddy facility has reduced their overall carbon emissions from plant operations by 130 tons as compared to the previous year.  This emissions reduction is equivalent to installing renewable energy for 25 homes!

Thank you to the DEV Processing Team for their hard work and dedication to making DEV the most efficient plant possible!