World Pumps - Atlas Copco’s new beer foam separator increases production efficiency

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Atlas Copco has introduced a new solution for the beer bottling process – the Beer Foam Separator (BFS 900).

Built to be used in combination with its industry 4.0 ready GHS VSD+ screw vacuum pump, the addition of the beer foam separator is primed to improve energy efficiency, reduce lifecycle costs and lower the rejection rate of over and underfilled bottles in the process.

The beer foam separator was designed and developed in partnership with brewery customers and in direct response to the excess foam production that hampered the beer filling process. The high amount of foam generated at the end of the filling process would enter the vacuum line and disrupt the process leading to poor quality, reduced output.

Atlas Copco’s Beer Foam Separator (BFS 900) actively solves the foam issue with its smart features and easy to maintain design – providing full protection to the vacuum pump and saving on costs too.

The BFS 900 is fabricated from 304 stainless steel for high durability with an auto-draining tank and associated logic control system. When the excess foam enters the vacuum system, it is effectively collapsed in the foam separator by a calming section with a large diameter for foam settling. The rising liquid level is detected by appropriate sensors and an automatic separation process is initiated by an air lock consisting of electro-pneumatic actuators and a receiver tank to enable drain in continuous operation.

The separator is also clean-in-place (CIP) capable. A shower ball mechanism ensures reach to all internal parts, granting compliance to required hygienic standards.

"Addressing process concerns for the beer industry effectivity with our innovative capabilities and application expertise is a focus point for us," said Alesandro Villa, Applications Manager, Atlas Copco. "That’s why 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 would offer a higher level of energy-efficiency and savings for our customers."