Vacuum Pumps in the Beer Bottling Industry

Beer! It’s refreshing, it’s cultural, it is diverse, it has legions of enthusiasts worldwide and is certainly one of the most popular drinks in the world.

But the beer brewing and bottling process is also precise and complex, a fine art you might say. Before you get that perfect pour of a pint, a series of steps need to be achieved using sophisticated equipment, ensuring your preferred beer has the perfect taste and quality. The entire production and supply chain process of beer requires precise control and attention to detail. One of the many types of equipment used in this chain are vacuum pumps. 

Oil-sealed screw vacuum pumps, dry claw vacuum pumps and liquid ring vacuum pumps from Atlas Copco play a crucial role in the beer industry by enabling efficient, hygienic, and seamless operations. From creating vacuum within the bottles to assist in filling them with beer, forming and labelling bottles or transporting cans, our vacuum pumps contribute significantly to maintaining quality, shelf life, and ultimately, customer satisfaction.

The sunset gold hue of many beers would be affected by contaminants and impurities found in beer bottles. In commercial operations before beer can be filled into bottles, vacuum pumps are used to sterilize and clean them. Bottle cleaning machines equipped with vacuum pumps help remove debris, dust, and any impurities prior to filling.  This step is vital to maintain the quality and taste of the beer.

During the bottle filling process, vacuum pumps such as the GHS VSD⁺ rotary screw vacuum pump are used to create a vacuum environment within the bottles and flush them with CO₂ before they are filled. By evacuating the air and creating a controlled vacuum environment, the risk of oxidation and beer spoilage is significantly reduced. Vacuum also helps to eliminate residual air bubbles or trapped gases, ensuring a consistent and uniform fill level. Overall, vacuum pumps from Atlas Copco help enhance the beer's quality, extend shelf life, and maintain hygienic standards. For the end-consumer the beer remains safe to drink and tastes great.

A stable and consistent vacuum is vital for high-speed filling machines in the beer industry. A high amount of foam is generated at the end of the filling process and enters in the vacuum line. This can compromise the vacuum pump leading to poor quality or disruption of the filling operation.

The Atlas Copco beer foam separator combined with our state-of-the-art GHS VSD⁺ screw vacuum pump solves this issue while saving energy and water costs.  Fabricated from 304 stainless steel with auto-draining tank and associated logic control system, our beer foam separator system provides full protection to the vacuum pump.

After the bottles are filled, vacuum pumps such as the energy-efficient Atlas Copco GHS VSD⁺ oil-sealed screw vacuum pumps are utilized to cap and seal them. Vacuum pumps help to secure tightness, preventing leakage or potential oxidation. This airtight seal is crucial for maintaining the freshness and carbonation levels. 

While you should never judge a beer by its cover, first appearances matter – especially when you are discovering a new beer. In the final stages of the bottling process, vacuum plays an important role in labelling and packaging operations. Vacuum-enabled labelling machines help affix labels to beer bottles with precision and accuracy, ensuring that they adhere correctly and remain intact throughout packaging, storage, and transportation. This is where Atlas Copco pumps such as the DZS dry claw series are used in packaging manufacturing and processes.