Hello all,
We are looking to upgrade our cellar side-stream equipment to more efficiently collect cellar effluent while reducing labor. Our current set up is a mobile tank with a skid mounted progressive cavity pump; basically a grant and pump. We soft hose to the respective FVs and then to hard lines to our 10,000 gal outside holding tank. The equipment works well but is considered a real pain in the butt due to the size of the unit (4' diameter, 5' high, and pretty heavy) and our cellar configuration. We currently collect all tank drops through this unit: 1,500gal/day. Our brewhouse has an automated collection skid and is not an issue with our current set up.
We're brainstorming the best options for either small in place grant/pump stations or a smaller, easier to move pump cart without a grant. I am curious to what others have set up in their breweries and open to any and all suggestions. Below are some considerations based on our plant.
- Cellar is broken into three areas and is about 100m end to end. Due to space, regular movement of the skid outside of the building is required. Tanks range from 30bbl to 250bbl.
- Hard line connections to holding tank are located in each cellar.
- 50:50 production of non-dry hopped and dry hopped beers so plenty of hop material to transfer.
- Diaphragm pumps are not ideal due to air capacity constraints. Would be interested in knowing if anyone has has success with centrifugal pumps or if we should stick with progressive cavity.
- We plan on only minor automation (level switches, pump protection, etc).
Thanks for any ideas people have. Would love pictures if your able.
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Campbell Morrissy, PhD
Director of Brewery Operations
pFriem Family Brewers
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