Atlas Copco, recently partnered with Widmer Brothers Brewery to improve their bottling process and eliminate excess water consumption with the first-known waterless vacuum pump in the craft beer industry.
Originally, the brewery used a liquid ring vacuum pump to bottle their beers but quickly realized the technology was consuming roughly 5,000 gallons of water per day, which cost an annual $5,000 in water and $30,000 in sewer costs, including extra strength charges. After consulting Atlas Copco, Widmer Brothers Brewery decided to upgrade their liquid ring pump to the GHS VSD+ rotary screw vacuum pump.
In partnership with Widmer Brothers Brewery, Atlas Copco designed the Foam Dampening Water Trap, which features:
Although the equipment upgrade was originally driven by the desire to save water, Widmer Brothers Brewery has avoided wastewater and sewer impact and also saved on energy consumption. In switching to a variable speed drive rotary screw vacuum pump, the system now produces a deeper vacuum with half the horsepower, saving the brewery close to $4,000 in energy costs.
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