FIP pump used as pomace pump?

[Mike]

Hello to all

I have an old Oesco rack and cloth pressing system and my old belt drive Jabsco brand pomace pump finally kicked the bucket.  It screws into a stainless hopper and it pushes pomace to the press.  Lately, I cannot get it to push anything.  I have installed new gaskets and I believe that I have a good seal (not sucking in air), and I never ran it dry.

Before I go into my titled question, I have a general question regarding the rubber impeller inside the pump.  Just about how many years do parts like this last?  I am wondering if that part needs replacing due to age.  Maybe it just can't get a grip so to speak? 

I was wondering what pumps other people use for their pomace pump systems and also whether or not it would be possible to use a flexible impeller pump off to the side of the hopper (Bypassing the original pump altogether) to pump slurry.  I am kind of in favor of bypassing the hopper altogether because I could then use the FIP pump to push cider around from fermenter to storage vessel and so on.  At least then I could use the pump for more things than just pomace.

Thanks in advance for help on this

Mike

[Fergal Connon]

Hi Mike,

I don't profess to know any of the answers to your questions as I am somewhat in the same boat. from my research I do know that the common pumps used for pomace and wine must are flexible impeller, mono pump and progressive capacity among others. I'm pretty sure centrifugal pumps are not up to it.

My plan was to try and replicate something like the good nature system ( http://www.goodnature.com/Juice_Equipment/Axiliary_Equipment/ ) using a plastic hopper like this one ( http://www.rotamoulding.com.au/product-catalogue/100l-cone-bottom-tank/ ) mounted on a steel frame (with fine vertical adjustment) with my scratter above it and some tri clamp fittings attached to the bottom. I would then mount a flexible impeller pump (Liverani Minor EP 40) to a trolley which could be wheeled into place when required. This way I could then use the pump for other things too.

All good in theory, however there a few things I'm not so sure about:

• Is the pump suitable
• Will the pomace stick to walls of the tank
• What effect would a cavity have on the pump
• Will water/apple juice trickled around the tank solve my problems
• Do I need some sort of variable speed motor
• How do I turn it on/off and will the frequency of on/off cause any problems

Mike -  did you get to the bottom of your issues and do you have any pearls of wisdom for me?

I have read through most of The Cidermakers Year by Rose and 2006 is the one with the most relevant information for pomace pumps.

Cheers,

Fergal.

[Tobys Cider]

This is a thread I was hoping we would get some information on, I am also trying to research a pump for pomace from the scratter/mill into the press.

I too have read through The Cidermakers Year (more than once ... its a great read), and really liked the look of the mono pump setup that Rosie uses.

I had wondered if it would be possible to use a pump similar to these http://www.agriaffaires.co.uk/used/grape-acceptation/3845503/bucher-vaslin-pm20c.html which are plentiful on Agriaffaires.

With a simple addition of a hopper mounted above the auger, and the scratter/mill mounted above the hopper.

This could then be used to pump pomace from the mill into the press.

Would these pumps do the job? I know you would be unable to use them for other  liquids, but at the minute I need a pomace solution.

Thanks as always for any help.

[Cornelius Traas]

Those will work for pomace for sure.

 

Con

 

[William Grote]

Hi Fergal

Old thread but I hope you are still active!

Did you ever set this up?  Im considering the same set up, get a top quality pump like the Zabbelli T-180 and use if to move pomace as well as liquids

looking for a DIY alternative to the Sanifeed by Oesco - 

Cheers

William