- Case Study
- Crush Fab’s cart-mounted system for wineries features a Certa Compact positive displacement pump
- The gentle-pumping action of Certa Compact makes it ideal for must pumping applications in the winery industry
- Small footprint of Certa Compact enables it to fit on a portable cart which saves on labor for wine producers
Crush Fab integrates compact pump into portable cart-mounted system tailored for wineries
Pumps are essential in every stage of winery operations to keep production flowing. Instead of requiring multiple specialized pumps, Crush Fabrication & Mechanical’s (Crush Fab) customers look for pumping technology that can multitask without compromising performance in any specific application.
Crush Fab specializes in automating “pump over”, a traditionally labor-intensive process of frequently circulating liquid to ensure even fermentation and avoid the growth of undesirable bacteria that could negatively affect the wine's quality and flavor. Crush Fab offers innovations to address challenges facing the winery industry in California, such as labor shortages, in order to improve efficiency and product quality.
The Certa Compact positive displacement pump from MasoSine, part of WMFTS, is proving to be an especially effective solution, providing wineries with a highly efficient and versatile pump that saves on labor.
"Our customers want a single pump that does it all and does it well," says California-based Crush Fab’s Chris Price. "This is especially true for small wineries operating with constrained capital budgets and limited space. They need a high-performing, affordable, versatile and portable positive displacement pump, and we found the ideal solution in the Certa Compact Sine pump from MasoSine, Watson-Marlow."
Crush Fab previously achieved outstanding results using standard-size Certa Sine® pumps from MasoSine in must pumping applications in conjunction with its specially designed hopper/auger assembly to receive fruit directly from the destemmer. The energy efficient, gentle handling, positive displacement pumps maintain yield while increasing output for food and beverage, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemical and cosmetics applications.
“Significant efficiency gains are realized through streamlined fruit reception, with our customers typically reducing harvest fruit unloading time by a third compared to other pump types,” adds Price.
“Previously 10-12 hour days have been shortened to 6-8 hours due to quicker fruit unloading and reduced pump cleaning time.
“The main issue with other pumping methods is that they are overly aggressive in extracting liquid from the hopper/auger assembly, leading to blockages from the remaining solids and necessitating frequent reversal of the pumping process to clear obstructions.”
High performance in a compact pump
MasoSine recently expanded its Certa Sine pump range with a new space-saving model, the Certa Compact. In response, Crush Fab developed a portable cart-mounted system tailored for wineries. The Certa Compact boasts a 30% reduced footprint compared to the existing Certa Sine pump range, all while maintaining the full-size pump’s integrity. It is well-suited for applications that demand up to 87 PSI, while the traditional Certa pump has capabilities up to 217 PSI.
"The Certa Compact is an excellent must pump that can be easily uncoupled for use in any other part of the winery," says Price. "It provides exceptional performance wherever it is deployed. The low shear, gentle-pumping and virtually no pulsation means smooth product flow and no need for ancillary dampeners."
The Certa Compact is made of 316 L stainless steel, which is a significant improvement over cast iron pumps that are widely used in the wine industry. The resistance to corrosion and oxidation ensures that the pump sustains its sterility, performance, and appearance over time, even in the demanding, moisture-rich environments of wineries. The pump is designed for CIP (Clean-in-Place) and SIP (Steam-in-Place) without disassembly, saving time and reducing labor costs.
Furthermore, the stainless-steel construction contributes significantly to the pump’s visual appeal. As wineries often double as tourist attractions, the presentation of the machinery can impact the overall visitor experience.
The Certa Compact's sleek, metallic finish not only aligns with the premium and sophisticated image many wineries aim to project, but it also reassures visitors of the establishment's commitment to quality and hygiene.
The Certa Compact positive displacement pump is a versatile, portable, and efficient solution that delivers an ideal blend of performance, durability, and aesthetics, which makes it suitable for wineries of all sizes.