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VFD on DE Filter?

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  • VFD on DE Filter?

    Anybody doing this? Variable Frequency Drive? Is it practical, or are there problems I can't think of? Seems like it would be a good idea.
    Phillip Kelm--Palau Brewing Company Manager--

  • #2
    We use one on our candle filter but never got around to installing one on our horizontal plate. If you can afford it, I think they're a great idea. Saves throttling the flow with the bell inlet valve leaving the product pump running full bore and thrashing your beer over the whole run.

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    • #3
      Thanks! I know that some of the really large breweries with semi-automated vertical leaf filters use VFDs on both the pump and on the plate stack to fling off the cake. I'm thinking that it's cheap enough at about $150 to just try it out. Would also make my filter double as a transfer pump for unfiltered beers. Both uses would keep the beer from getting thrashed.
      Phillip Kelm--Palau Brewing Company Manager--

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      • #4
        Okay, now you've got me looking. We're about to redo our fermentation/filtration room and I like the idea.

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        • #5
          I am working at a brewery with manual flow control in filtration, a real pain in the backside. It has got to be easier, and better for the beer if you don't thrash it to bits against a flow control valve. And it has to make life easier - keep the flow constant, and you don't have to faff around keeping an eye of KG flow control, balancing buffer tanks (OK we are talking biggish breweries here) etc. It also saves energy, though I have no idea of the payback possible, and perhaps more to the point, is distinclty quieter if you are not pushing beer agianst a flow control valve

          The idea of using the same pump for multiple uses is great - just make sure is is cleaned OK between any unfiltered and filtered beer uses. I didn't realise VFDs could be that cheap. The only problem is that for full benefit, they need to be linked with a flow meter (manual control) and feedback loop.

          But go for it - you may find you can add this improved control later, or that it is worthwhile fully automating later

          Cheers
          dick

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          • #6
            Feedback is via my sightglass and VFD touch pad! No need to get crazy here; our DE runs are about half an hour! My concern is getting a unit that is washdown; most cheaper ones are not. I'll give this a try and post back when the project has been in use a while. Cheers!
            Phillip Kelm--Palau Brewing Company Manager--

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            • #7
              you can get VFD's that operate on pressure that you can override during the run...
              ie start the cake layering at say 35 psi with all cellulose and DE additions. then dial it down to say 15 psi of whatever your best flow rate might be given beer turbidity or bbl/min guidelines. Then towards the end of the filtration, you can always increase to say 25 PSI as the cake needs additional pressure to get beer through.
              Mounting is as easy as a Stainless Steel box with a cutout for the touchpad screen...then just tack weld it onto the dosing tank.

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              • #8
                Mounting isn't that easy. VFDs create lots of heat and require proper ventilation. Most have specific guidelines against mounting them in another box. And the keypads wouldn't likely be washdown if the rest of the unit isn't. Buying a proper NEMA 4 washdown VFD is the only way to be sure of your investment operating properly.
                Phillip Kelm--Palau Brewing Company Manager--

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                • #9
                  Vfd

                  Ok, I know this thread is from 2010 but if you are stilll listening, I want to know where to buy these inexpensive, wash-down VFDs and here more about your experiences. I am interested in putting one on my de filter.

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                  • #10
                    Yes

                    Set up correctly, they work perfectly.
                    Warren Turner
                    Industrial Engineering Technician
                    HVACR-Electrical Systems Specialist
                    Moab Brewery
                    The Thought Police are Attempting to Suppress Free Speech and Sugar coat everything. This is both Cowardice and Treason given to their own kind.

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                    • #11


                      This is a great nema 4x drive that is affordable. We use them for conveyors, etc around the brewery as they don't require an additional box and controls. I use to build all my own boxes till I found these.

                      matt at skafabricating dot com

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by Starcat View Post
                        Set up correctly, they work perfectly.
                        Hey Starcat- I've been to your brewery. Good times. I want to know where to buy these inexpensive, wash-down VFDs. My DE filter has a 7.5 hp motor.

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                        • #13
                          too small

                          Matt-
                          These look great! Think I'll get one or two for transfer pumps. My DE pump is 7.5 HP (5.5KW). This size VFD comes in at $935.25! Still a good deal?

                          Joe
                          Last edited by sks; 07-30-2013, 08:57 AM.

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