To develop a production involves changes. When production grows, new needs arise, such as installing a hygienic ATEX-rated diaphragm pump. That's exactly what the Swedish distillery Stockholms Bränneri did when their production methods needed to be streamlined, and they contacted Tapflo.
The process was initiated over two years ago when they realized that it was no longer sustainable to move liquids using gravity and pallet lifter between their stationary tanks – the production had started to grow. A former employee, with experience in brewing, had positive experiences with Tapflo in other contexts and initiated contact.
Pump selection with special requirements
Marcus Böhme, Head of Production at Stockholms Bränneri, explains that the pump needed to meet specific requirements to function within the production environment, design, and characteristics. Therefore, the pump was expected to:
- Be easy to clean
- Be easy to maintain
- Designed according to ATEX standards (explosive environments)
- Be user-friendly
- Be capable of pumping liquids with varying viscosities
- Be equipped with a 1.5" TC coupling to match the other couplings in production
In agreement with Tapflo, the result was a T125 with a pulsation dampener, mounted on a trolley - fully adapted to explosive environments.
"It does everything we have wanted it to do so far"
Choosing a hygienic diaphragm pump in alcohol production contributes to high-quality production, provided it is used correctly. When selecting a pump for food production, it is important to consider the pump's hygienic properties to avoid bacterial growth in the product. The pump's characteristics can be crucial in matching the production requirements:
- The conductive black center block ensures no electrical charges occur in the pump.
- The design allows the operator to disassemble the pump for regular maintenance.
- The smooth surface prevents dirt from adhering to irregularities and facilitates cleaning.
- It is capable of pumping fluids at all stages of the production process.
To further enhance production, a pulsation dampener can smooth out pulsations, reduce pipe vibrations, and minimize noise, thereby creating a more pleasant working environment. By mounting the pump on a trolley, it becomes flexible and can be utilized for various purposes within the process.
Marcus says that the pump is used to pump various types of liquids every day. Transferring 96% organic ethanol from storage tank to distillation kettle, transferring finished product from blending tank to storage tank, and pumping fruit juice from an IBC tank are some of the applications Stockholms Bränneri uses the pump for.
"It does everything we have wanted it to do so far. Easy and quick to use, handle, and clean, allowing for easy switching between different liquids" says Marcus.
Since its inception in 2015, Stockholms Bränneri has been producing gin, aperitifs, aquavit, and pre-bottled cocktails, to name a few - all of which are compatible with Tapflo's hygienic diaphragm pumps.
Are you curious to learn more about hygienic diaphragm pumps or other flow solutions? Contact us for more information.