Industry
Application Guides
Whether you’re a start-up distiller, or an established distillery, one of the most important pieces of equipment you will have is your pump. With a vast array of pumps to choose from, deciding what pump best suits your needs can be overwhelming. We have written the below guide to the types of Distillery Pumps we offer to help you along with your decision. Should you require any further information, or have any additional questions then please call us on +44 1332 913500.
Choosing the right distillery pump is crucial for efficiency and safety in your operation. Here are five essential factors to consider when selecting distillery pumps.
Do you know what flow rate you require? The flow rate of your distillery pump determines how quickly it can transfer liquid from one location to another. Flow rate is typically measured in Litres Per Minute (LPM), Gallons Per Minute (GPM), or Cubic Metres Per Hour (m³/hr). Consider your tank sizes and how quickly you want to fill them when choosing a distillery pump.
Next, determine the vertical suction lift required. This measures how far a pump for alcohol can lift liquid from its original position. For example, if your pump is placed at the bottom of a tank, the suction lift is measured from the bottom to the pump’s inlet.
Now, consider the height to which you need to pump liquid. Maximum head lift refers to the vertical distance the pump must move liquid. Alcohol pumps are designed to handle specific head lifts depending on the application, ensuring liquids are transferred safely and efficiently.
As spirits are flammable, distillery pumps may need to be ATEX rated. ATEX Certification ensures equipment is safe for use in potentially explosive atmospheres in the European Union. For applications in safe areas, alcohol transfer pumps can be used to move liquids without requiring ATEX certification.
Distillery pumps are available as air-powered or electric-powered options. Air-powered pumps require an air compressor, so factor this into your setup cost. Electric-powered pumps come in single-phase or three-phase. Three-phase motors are recommended for industrial applications with heavier loads, while single-phase pumps suit lower electricity requirements. Chemical transfer pumps may also be necessary for processes that require careful handling of chemicals.
Considering the points above, it’s now time to browse for suitable distillery pumps. Check the flow rate, power, head lift, and ATEX requirements for your distillery pump, and remember that a compatible chemical transfer pump may be necessary if your process involves handling reactive or sensitive liquids.
Air driven double diaphragm pumps are highly versatile and can handle a wide variety of liquids, whether hot or cold, thick or thin, clean or containing solids. They are true self-priming pumps, capable of achieving dry suction lifts of over 3 meters, depending on the pump’s size and manufacturer. Distillery diaphragm pumps come in a range of materials and certifications, making it simple to find a pump that is both ATEX Rated and Food Grade. They can run dry for short periods without damage, though this depends on the air pressure used to drive the pump. However, like all pumps, it is generally not recommended to run them dry.
One drawback of air driven double diaphragm pumps is that they require expensive compressed air to operate. This will need to be factored into your costs, if you haven’t already got compressed air installed in your distillery. They can also cause pulsations in your piping, although pulsation dampeners are available to mitigate this issue.
We recommend the following Air Driven Diaphragm Pumps for your distillery –
Enviroflex Sanitary AODD Pumps
Browse Air Operated Double Diaphragm Pumps
Electrically driven double diaphragm pumps offer the same benefits as air-driven versions but don’t require costly compressed air. While they have a higher initial cost, they are much more cost-effective for long-term use. These pumps share the downside of causing pulsations in your piping, but pulsation dampeners are available to address this.
We recommend the following Electrically Driven Diaphragm Pumps for your distillery –
Browse Graco Quantm H Series Distillery Pumps
Peristaltic pumps are ideal for pumping away botanical waste after the flavours and fragrances have been extracted via the distilling process. Peristaltic hose pumps are a very simple, quiet & hygienic design of pump, using the principle of peristalsis (similar to your intestine). The liquid is gently pushed through a food grade rubber hose, causing minimum disturbance & damage to the product being pumped. They are what we call true self priming pump, capable of pulling dry suction lifts of 3 metres plus (dependant on size of pump) and are capable of dry running without damage. However, like every pump design this is not something we would recommend & would suggest that you avoid if you can.
Peristaltic hose pumps can handle a wide range of liquids—whether hot, cold, thick, thin, clean, solid-laden, or abrasive. They are fully customisable, with options including different motors, speed controls, connections, hoses, and even castor wheels. The downside to peristaltic hose pumps is that they can cause pulsation in your pipe work, but pulsation dampeners are available to eliminate this. The initial capitol purchase price is more expensive than a centrifugal pump, but the pros far out way the cons of a centrifugal pump when it comes to pumping away your botanical waste. Peristaltic hose pumps are very energy efficient to run & lifetime ownership is very common, making them an ideal choice for your Distillery Pump.
We recommend the following Electrically Driven Peristaltic Pumps for your distillery –
Click Here To Browse Enviroflex’s L Series Peristaltic Pumps.
Choosing the right pump for your distillery is important, but after you’ve selected your pump, it’s crucial to think about your other requirements for the job. Below you’ll find some items that may be considered essential, depending on your situation. If you’re ever unsure on your requirements, our team is available to help you.
We sell a wide range of hoses for transfer of liquid. Keep in mind the temperature requirements whilst choosing your hose. Our Clear Braided is a good option, which is Food Grade and are fully RoHS and REACH Compliant.
A trolley is especially useful for pumps that you use for more than one application, allowing you to easily manoeuvre the pump around your space.
If you are using AODD pumps, air line regulators provide controlled, consistent air pressure as required for specific pneumatic equipment connected to the air system.
A pulsation dampener can be used to reduce pulsation and remove pressure variations on the discharge of your pump, ensuring a smoother flow and less disturbance to your product.
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