Page 35 - Beverage MasterOct Nov 2020

Craft Distillery

Options for craft beverage producers of varying for a long time or if repairs are complex, this could
sizes are generally between five and 120 barrels hurt future business. Newer models of boilers typ-
per batch. Commercial distilling boilers are usually ically have lower emissions for a reduced environ-
over 50 gallons. For example, a distillery can get a mental impact. However, it still doesn’t hurt to ask
150-gallon steam injection boiler that produces 337 about any emissions or harmful substances that
pounds of sanitary steam per hour. For regulatory may come from the boiler. It’s also good to know if
purposes, boiler and pressure vessels should have extra parts will be readily available if they’re need-
a stamp of approval from the American Society of ed later.
Mechanical Engineers. “The boiler itself is a powerful piece of equip-

ment,” said Baughman. “If operating personnel are
Questions to Ask Before Buying a Boiler not properly trained, or if the boiler and support
One crucial question to ask about is the start-up equipment are not properly maintained and ser-
time for a new boiler. It is usually unnecessary for viced, then the boiler can be deadly.”
a boiler to run 24 hours a day and waste energy, so He recommends asking the following questions
quick-start-up boilers are designed to be turned on before purchasing a first boiler or upgrading a cur-
and start producing steam within a few minutes. rent one:
Also, ask a boiler salesperson about energy effi-
ciency because you’ll want to pay attention to fuel • Do you offer boiler training?
costs and not run up utility bills unnecessarily. • Do you perform start-up commissioning, boil-
Confirm the exact boiler measurements to ensure out, combustion tuning and jobsite operator
training with the purchase?
that it fits in your distillery space and also fits well • What are some installation references from
alongside other equipment and any tasting or tour distilleries that have had your boiler for at least
areas. Ask about the maintenance process, because three years?
if routine maintenance shuts down the distillery

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