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Impeller

The most cost-effective of the pump types, and with the highest throughput, the impeller pump is one of the most popular pumps. Cheap and powerful, what's not to like? Well, the not-so-good points are that firstly, any resistance can cause it to shut down unless it has a bypass fitted to alleviate the pressure on the impeller housing. Secondly, buy one cheap and you'll buy more than just twice. On cheaper impeller pumps, the impeller is housed in resin, which becomes malleable with an increase in temperature, either through pumping hot liquids, or through the friction created by the impeller against the housing. Decent impeller pumps won't have this issue because the housing is made from stainless steel (not to brag, but we will only sell impeller pumps with stainless steel housings). Thirdly, the way the impeller works is that it does not provide the smoothest transfer of liquid. It's pretty smooth, don't get us wrong, but you'll notice the effect it has, particularly on something like a sheet filter where the changes in pressure going into the filter unsettle some of the debris which was already filtered out, putting it straight back where you don't want it - into your product. 

So, for pumping from one tank to another, the impeller is perfect. For pumping into a filter, bottling machine or from a flash pasteuriser, there are better options available. 

Impeller Pump
Centrifugal Pump
Centrifugal

The second most cost-effective of the pump types, the centrifugal pump provides the most low-maintenance pumping function of all the main three types. This is because there is no pressure in the pump forcing the liquid to move - the liquids are simply being carried by the centrifugal force, resulting in a smooth, consistent transfer of liquid. Because of the lack of pressure inside the pump, any hold-ups at the exit of the pump (such as might be caused if pumping to a bottling machine) do not risk the breakage of the pump, as the liquid will simply not leave the pump and will remain in the centrifuge until it has room to leave. The only problem with a centrifugal pump is that it can't really deal with liquids with 'bits' in it - pips, must etc. This damages the rotors inside the centrifuge or jams the whole thing completely. This pump also doesn't quite shift liquids on the same scale as an impeller pump.

 

We'd recommend the centrifugal pump for taking your juice, cider, wine or beer from a tank to another piece of equipment, such as a pasteuriser, bottling machine or filter. But whilst high pressure on the exit won't break it, it'll slow your process down quite a bit, and it can't transport your freshly pressed apple or grape juice in case of bits. 

Eccentric Screw Pump
Eccentric Screw

The most expensive of all the pump types, the eccentric screw pump is pretty handy if you produce wine or spirits. Designed to transport liquid which perhaps isn't quite liquid just yet, the eccentric screw pump features a corkscrew-type bar through the centre of the pumping cavity, which physically pushes materials like fruit pulp, potato mash or grape juice and must through the body of the pump, and to its intended destination, usually a filter or a tankHowever, the eccentric screw pump, being designed to transport more viscous materials, does not have a huge capacity and needs a bypass to be fitted if a pressure build-up at the exit to the pump is likely. 

So, an eccentric screw pump is great for freshly pressed juice with lots of must and pulp in it, or for mash, but not so great for pumping large amounts of liquids steadily to another item of equipment. 

Pumps: Know the Difference
Impeller. Centrifugal. Eccentric Screw.

Pumps. Used by every juice, cider, wine and beer producer, but often forgotten about until the last minute. There are many different pump types, but most of these are derived from three basic different pump designs, each with their own very tangible and distinct benefits for a drink producer. 

Others

There are many more pump types, some of which do not run on motors but instead compressed air, others which are very similar to those explored above. The three considered above are here to give you a basic understanding about your pump needs at each point in your juice or cider production process, winery, distillery or brewery, and if you need anything different to the pumps explored above, you have the knowledge now to do your own research, or to contact us with your specific requirements. 

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