Drive pumps and agitators for dispensing
1. Pump body: The pump body is the main structure that houses the internal components and ensures the structural integrity and leak-tightness of the pump.
2. Electric motor: The electric motor is the heart of the pump, providing the power needed to drive the chilled beverage or water through the dispensing system or cooling lines.
3. Impeller: The impeller is the component that converts the motor’s energy into fluid movement, generating the flow and pressure required for proper dispensing of the beverage or for pushing the chilled water that maintains the temperature throughout the line.
4. Valves and fittings: The valves and fittings allow the pump to be safely and tightly connected to the dispensing system, preventing leaks and ensuring proper flow.
1. Centrifugal pumps: Centrifugal pumps use a rotating impeller that generates radial flow and pressure. These pumps are ideal for dispensing systems for low-viscosity beverages and operate at high speeds.
2. Positive displacement pumps: Positive displacement pumps, such as gear pumps and diaphragm pumps, provide a constant flow and suitable pressure for dispensing high-viscosity beverages or those with a high solids content. These pumps are ideal for dispensing systems for wine, cider, and other thick beverages.
1. Connection to the dispensing system: The pump is connected to the dispensing system, ensuring a leak-tight connection and proper alignment between fittings and valves.
2. Pump operation: When the tap is opened, the pump’s electric or pneumatic motor starts up, driving the fluid through the impeller and generating the flow and pressure needed for proper dispensing of the beverage.
3. Flow and pressure regulation: The motor speed and, consequently, the pump’s flow and pressure can be adjusted according to the specific needs of the dispensing system and the characteristics of the beverage.
Precise flow and pressure control: Drive and extraction pumps allow precise control of beverage dispensing flow and pressure.
These are pneumatic or electric devices that allow the beverage to be extracted from its original container, whether keg, bag-in-box or bucket. They allow the beverage to circulate through the dispense line without needing to push the container with gas to create counter‑pressure. They are mainly used for wine, vermouth and still (non‑carbonated) drinks. They are very practical for bag‑in‑box service and dispense systems with multiple lines and long distances.
Water recirculation pumps allow chilled water to circulate along the entire dispense line, keeping the ideal serving temperature, with the same temperature from the ice‑bank chiller all the way to the tap. There are different models, depending on whether the machine includes a start capacitor or whether this must be provided by the agitator itself. The agitator stages also allow you to increase power and circulation distance, which is especially useful for long runs, multiple branches or height differences.
Transfer pumps are very useful whenever the goal is to move the beverage from point A to point B in the shortest possible time and in the most hygienic way. They are essential for beer production plants and for venues that brew craft beer in a more complex way and with a high volume of liters.
The pumps themselves cannot be made of stainless steel because they use a magnetized coil that creates a turbine effect, drawing water from the bottom and pushing it out at the top. It is very important to remember that, as this is electronic equipment, it is not free from the risk of damage or breakdown if we do not carry out proper maintenance of the ice‑bank chiller. Whenever the machine is stopped or not in use, it is very important to open the lid so that all the condensation water can dissipate and not get inside the device, where it could oxidize the mechanism.