Peristaltic pump technology chosen by brewery

Watson-Marlow Bredel's peristaltic pump technology was chosen by Ringwood Brewery for its ability to achieve and sustain an accurate, repeatable flow of product, with minimal agitation.

Watson-Marlow Bredel's peristaltic pump technology was chosen by Ringwood Brewery for its ability to achieve and sustain an accurate, repeatable flow of product, with minimal agitation.

A crucial factor in finings dosing within the brewing process.

A total of eight Watson-Marlow Bredel pumps are in service at Ringwood Brewery where volumetric accuracy and reliability, combined with their low shear pumping action, has led to their use on a variety of duties including auxiliary fining and liquor treatment.

The 604U/R pump dosing finings was installed approximately three years ago and works six hours a day, five days a week dosing from a holding vessel to racking tanks at a rate of 50 ml/sec.

According to Bob Mavin chief engineer at Ringwood Breweries, 'Practical experience has shown we made the right choice for a vital process.

The pump is product friendly, hygienic, easy to clean and simple to maintain.

Operating in a washdown environment is no problem, but above all accuracy is 100% reliable.

Ringwood Brewery produces high quality, cask conditioned beer supplied to pub chains, free houses and many of the leading supermarkets.

Their beers such as "Old Thumper", "Boondoggle" and "True Glory" are highly regarded by discriminating real ale drinkers.

Absolute consistency in both taste and appearance are crucial to maintaining and increasing the Brewery's share of an increasingly competitive market.

Finings are added to produce the bright, crystal clear appearance demanded by the modern beer drinker.

Once the correct dosage has been calculated, pumping accuracy is essential.

The effect of low dosage is cloudy beer.

Excessive dosage will result in some finings remaining in suspension, loose sediment settling out and impaired taste.

Control is by a 4-20mA analogue process signal, calibrated to a plc for accurate dosage with 4mA as start point.

There is one metre of suction line and a similar length of delivery line; suction is flooded.

The pump is fitted with 15.9mm bore Marprene tubing, one of a range of tubing options available with Watson-Marlow Bredel pumps.

Marpene tubing is autoclavable, it meets USDA standards for food processing and complies with FDA 21 CFR 177.260.

'Watson-Marlow Bredel peristaltic technology can be used at virtually any stage of the brewing production process where pumping, dosing or metering from microlitres to 80 cubic metres per hour at pressures up to 16 bar action is required,' commented David Johnson from Watson-Marlow Bredel.

'Which is why so many breweries are now installing our pumps on their production lines.

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