A new product promises to reduce excess foam in the beer-filling process
Leading brewery customers have long complained about excess foam causing issues in the beer-filling process. At the end of filling, the foam created typically enters the vacuum line, clogs the pipes filling the bottles and reduces the volume of beer produced. The foam volume also causes a reduction in the quality of the product as well as excessive waste and high costs.
Technology manufacturer Atlas Copco has responded to these complaints with a new technology for beer bottling processing, the Beer Foam Separator (BFS 900), a product that aims to provide better quality and more consistency to the beer bottling industry.
The vacuum pump in the vacuum line is fully protected by the beer foam separator’s smart features and easy to clean design. The product has been rigorously tested.
Alesandro Villa, applications manager, Atlas Copco says: “We spent a lot of time perfecting this particular component for the beer industry because we wanted to design a system that would not only protect the pump but offer a higher level of energy efficiency and savings for our customers.”
How the separator works
The beer foam separator is made from stainless steel which provides durability. This has been coupled with an auto-draining tank and an associated logic control system. Foam collapses the foam separator because of a calming section which has a large diameter for foam settling.
Sensors detect the rise and fall in liquid levels, then activate the automatic separation process once the liquid reaches a certain level. An airlock consisting of electro-pneumatic actuators as well as a receiver tank allows drain in continuous operation.
“We provide not just products, but solutions. Our new beer foam separator is an example of this,” said Pamela Cateland, marketing manager west, Atlas Copco Vacuum. “Our vacuum pumps and the systems we build, help maintain quality, shelf life and ultimately, customer satisfaction.”
The separator is also fitted with cleaning technology. This is achieved via a shower ball mechanism ensuring reach to all internal parts that makes the beer foam separator compliant with mandatory hygiene standards.
“Addressing process concerns for the beer industry using our applied engineer expertise is a key area of focus for us,” added Villa.
Being more efficient and sustainable, the beer foam separator includes features such as zero water wastage, an auto-drain function, durable design, energy savings, reliable sensors, and easy maintenance, according to the company.
The system requires very little water giving it an added advantage over others. It also has automatic drain, vent and isolation system components that are activated by control valves. The integrated cleaning cycle means the product is easy to maintain and clean.
Two sets of sensors, level and radar, measure the amount of beer collected in the drain tank and foam level respectively. Finally, this new system reduced energy used by 40% compared with previous systems owing to its use of GHS VSD efficient technology.
For more information visit: www.atlascopco.com/en-uk.
