Maximize Hop Utilization Through Split Boil?

[gypsyhead]

Quick theoretical question regarding hop utilization, looking more at increasing cost efficiency in a production brewery than a homebrew setting:

Q: Would you be able to use attain the same IBU and flavor profile using fewer hops if you split your boil into 2: a high SG (first runnings) and a low SG (second and third runnings), and primarily hopped the low SG batch?

Based on concept that:
-increased hop utilization at lower SG
-if only boiling high SG batch for sanitation (ie. 10 minutes or so), less power required than boiling a full batch for the full hop schedule

 

[david_42]

The differences would be minor. Utilization is mainly dependent on time and hop concentration.

 

[tedclev]

It is mainly dependent on time and concentration... but it's the concentration part that's important. Less sugars (lower SG) is going to give you a higher concentration. You can do the IBU calculations based on what the gravs would be of each of your theoretical runnings and then compare that to the IBUs of that same batch brewed the traditional way.

I assume, though, that the difference in hop utilization will not be all that significant (as the previous poster said). Why? Because although you will be getting better utilization from a lower SG, you will be offsetting that gain through a shorter boil period.