Vacuum pumps within the brewing
and bottling process are often far too
greedy where water is concerned,
according to Shaun Hampson of
Sterling-SIHI. He says that foaming
and product carry-over are
common-place in a process
that often attracts a
sanitary/hygienic
classification. When
process efficiency is
added to the equation,
the criteria issued to
vacuum equipment suppliers
typically surrounds: 30 to 1014mbara
pressures, tolerant to foaming and
liquid carry-over, efficient, reliable,
and with no water consumption.

Energy and waste feature heavily
in the total cost of ownership (and
operation) and, says Hampson,
should be at the centre of all brewhouse,
and bottling vacuum.

Ejectors, eductors, liquid-ring
vacuum, lobular-roots, totally dry
vacuum, and other products are only
the start of product choice. SIHI
says their integration, together
with ancillaries, can make a big
difference to performance. For
instance, basic separator
design based on operational
experience can have a dramatic
influence on water saving.

SIHI manufactures, and
supplies vacuum and centrifugal
pump equipment for some of the
world’s biggest breweries, distilleries,
and contract bottling sites.