Brewery Pumps for Hot‑Side, Cold‑Side & CIP
From lautering and whirlpool to dry‑hop recirculation and packaging, we size hygienic sanitary centrifugals, progressive‑cavity, peristaltic, and sanitary AODD pumps that protect flavor, minimize oxygen pickup, and clean in place. Brands include Grundfos, Graco, Wilden, Yamada, Flux, Finish Thompson, NETZSCH (PC), plus LMI / Walchem / Neptune for CIP chemical dosing.
Which Pumps Keep Your Brewhouse Flowing?
| Brew Task | Best Technology | Recommended Brands | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mash transfer / spent grain removal | Progressive‑Cavity (hygienic) at low RPM | NETZSCH (hygienic PC) | Constant, low‑shear flow for mash; gentle on husk; CIP‑capable stators |
| Hot wort circulation & transfer (HLT/MLT/BK → whirlpool → HX) | Sanitary centrifugal | Grundfos sanitary, Finish Thompson | High temp, polished wetted parts; VFD control; low dissolved O₂ pickup |
| Whirlpool / trub handling / hop torpedo | Sanitary AODD or low‑shear PC | Wilden Hygienic, Yamada; NETZSCH | Handles hop solids; dampeners for pressure stability; CIP drains |
| Yeast harvest & pitching | Peristaltic or low‑RPM PC | Graco SaniForce, NETZSCH | Cell‑friendly; accurate dosing; tri‑clamp connections |
| CIP supply & return (caustic/acid) | Sanitary centrifugal (supply) + metering (chem feed) | Grundfos / Finish Thompson + LMI, Walchem, Neptune | NSF/3‑A options; PVDF metering heads; calibration columns |
| Drum/IBC flavorings & adjuncts | Sanitary drum/IBC pump | Flux F‑Series | Explosion‑proof motors available; quick‑change tubes |
| Packaging feed (bright beer → filler) | Sanitary centrifugal or lobe/peristaltic | Grundfos, Graco SaniForce | Steady head minimizes fill‑weight variation; low shear protects CO₂ |
Recommended Pumps (Placeholders)
Tip Share batch size (bbl), target GPM, temperature, solids/IBUs, and CIP method. We’ll spec pumps and elastomers for caustic/acid cycles and brew‑day throughput.
How We Engineer Brewery Pump Packages
- Low shear on hot‑side and dry‑hop loops—slow RPM PC or AODD where solids are present.
- O₂ pickup control—short, flooded suction; gentle impellers; purge and vent practices baked in.
- Thermal & chemical resistance—EPDM/FKM/PTFE elastomers sized for caustic/acid CIP and 180–200 °F cycles.
- Hygienic design—3‑A/EHEDG heads, polished finishes, drainable housings, tri‑clamp connections.
- Controls & uptime—VFDs for transfer and whirlpool; duty/standby where bottlenecks cause line‑down.
Common Brewery Uses
- Mash transfer & spent grain removal
- Wort recirculation / whirlpool
- Heat‑exchanger transfer to FV
- Dry‑hop recirculation & trub removal
- Yeast harvest, storage & pitching
- CIP supply/return (caustic, acid, sanitizer)
- Flavorings & adjunct transfers (drum/IBC)
- Bright beer transfer to packaging
- Utility water & glycol loops
- Keg washer and tank cleaning
Brew Day Shouldn’t Wait on a Pump
Share batch size, target GPM, temperature, solids, and CIP/SIP. We’ll quote a hygienic, gentle, code‑ready package—fast.
Brewery Pumping FAQs
What’s the best pump for mash or spent grain?
Progressive‑Cavity at low RPM. NETZSCH hygienic PCs move thick mash and grain gently, maintain constant flow, and clean in place with the right stator elastomer.
How do I minimize oxygen pickup on transfers?
Use short, flooded suction; purge lines; select gentle impellers or PD pumps; and avoid cavitation. VFDs help stabilize pressure to the HX and filler.
Can I run caustic/acid CIP through the same pump?
Yes—most sanitary centrifugals and many PCs/peristaltics are CIP‑capable. We’ll select elastomers (EPDM/FKM/PTFE) and temperature limits for your chemistry and dwell times.