Pump for moving beer

[ChristianSA]

We're going to use open fermentors and will have to move the beer from fermentation to conditioning by pump.

Of course I am concerned about sucking in air, in case the pump is not stopped in time, and thus 1. aerating the finished beer, 2. breaking the pump.

Is it possible to get a pump that stops once there is no loger liquid flowing or are you aware of any other methods that might work.

I have thought of connecting a liquid level sensor to the beer being moved that is connected to the power outlet of the pump. That would work, but it is not very sanitary.

-Christian

[TGTimm]

Some Variable Freq. Drives have run-dry prevention. Not cheap, and might not catch it in time. A bio-monitor (brewer) is probably the best solution.

[kai]

Second the biomonitor.

Transfer time will be reasonably consistent, so the brewer should know when the tank is going to empty within a window of a few minutes.

On a more practical standpoint, I've seen plenty of transfers from open fermenter to closed vessel suck dry without any significant DO pickup in the receiving vessel.

I wouldn't worry too much about damage to the pump either, not unless you take a long lunch or go home for the night.

[edit] a liquid level sensor might work and can well be sanitary. However, depending on sensor type, I imagine you could get issues with the sensor fouling with yeast and not detecting the end of transfer.

[ChristianSA]

Second the biomonitor.

Transfer time will be reasonably consistent, so the brewer should know when the tank is going to empty within a window of a few minutes.

On a more practical standpoint, I've seen plenty of transfers from open fermenter to closed vessel suck dry without any significant DO pickup in the receiving vessel.

I wouldn't worry too much about damage to the pump either, not unless you take a long lunch or go home for the night.

[edit] a liquid level sensor might work and can well be sanitary. However, depending on sensor type, I imagine you could get issues with the sensor fouling with yeast and not detecting the end of transfer.

Maybe I am just being paranoid. I have only pushed beer with Co2 before. Anyway, the yeast left in the beer to be conditioned, will probably help scavenge some of the air being sucked in if I fuck up and forget.

-C

[South County]

Mcfinn

McFinns Bowpeller is and excellent pump for minimizing O2 and very low shear. We were looking for a better pump with low shear. Good pricing too.

http://www.americanwinepump.com/products.html

Now our filter transfers are fast and painless, also works great for a general brewery pump, very accurate and has this rad wireless remote.

[brewking69]

If you are using a centrifugal pump it will not significantly pump air so a run dry sensor will be fine.