Compressed Air Solutions for Wineries
Your passion is vinification, ours is air compressors
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Wineries of all sizes depend on compressed air for powering continuous-duty machines from crushing grapes to bottling, labeling and filling. These machines require a very precise amount of clean, oil-free air to accomplish the following items:
Pressing Grapes: Air compressors are often paired with a bladder press to air in pushing out the grapes juice through the vent holes.
Crushing Grapes: Teaming up with a pressurised bladder, compressed air slowly inflates the tank to press the grapes to the surface.
Heat & Cool Product: Monitoring temperature and keeping best temperature ranges during fermentation is a very critical part of making a great wine.
Filter & Dry Product: Running a filtration system, which is the fastest and most efficient way to filter your finished wine before bottling.
Aeration: Aeration is an essential process of introducing oxygen to the wine to round out and soften. Oil-free compressors are ideal because they don't risk contaminating your masterpiece with oil - affecting the quality and the taste.
Bottling: Bottling is one of the most common uses for air compressors in wineries and smaller commercial operations. Pressurised air is vital for moving wine from the conditioning tank or barrels to the bottle, and for keeping lines clean and free of water. Bottling uses a lot of air, so getting the right unit is critical.
Clean Air = Clean Wine: No matter what size the operation, you will want an oil-free air compressor that is UL-Listed, comes with an ASME-certified tank and uses the right combination of air treatment accessories to produce the most contaminant-free air possible. But, if you're still using an oil-lubricated compressor, you'll need to incorporate refrigerated dryers and in-line air filters to remove moisture, oil, and other airborne contaminants.
Our Compressed Air Experts are here to help you develop a complete compressed air solution, providing you with the best selection and pricing delivered right to your door. If you need help deciding which compressor is right for your winery, Chicago Pneumatic has you covered. You can contact any of our Chicago Pneumatic Dealers for assistance on choosing the compressor that's right for you.
As we wouldn't know which grapes to select for the perfect red, picking the right compressor for your winery can leave anyone unsure on such a big decision.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when comparing compressors:
- Maintenance: Select an air compressor that is easy to maintain and to get into. Chicago Pneumatic Compressors take the guessing out of what to do, with detailed manuals to know what is required at each hour interval of your machine.
- Replacement parts: Don't pick a machine that you have to track filters and parts down for. With a dedicated team it's simple to order parts and keep your machine working at optimal performance.
- Noise: Yes, noise is something to consider when selecting your compressor. No one needs a nagging employee complaining about the noise of a machine.
- Installation: You need to be thinking about where this compressor is going to go. A quiet screw compressor (QRS) should go inside and can be right beside your employees with minimal noise. Looking to put your compressor outside? Keep in mind, not all compressors are meant for outside.
- Certified Tank: What's that even mean you ask? OSHA requires the tank of your compressor to be certified with ASME. The ASME certification states the pressure vessel has been manufactured to specific standards. It should also on the tag have a NB (National Board) number stamped into it.
- Drains: Compressed air produces moisture in your machine. Drains are essential to draining that moisture out of your machine. Make sure you ask where the drains are located, are they automatic and how often you should be manually draining.
Air compressors must be adequately sized for their application. Many businesses make the mistake of installing a compressor larger than necessary in size, to allow for future expansion. Our suggestion is to install a compressor that will operate closer to peak capacity and add a back-up unit for periods of high demand. The back up compressor can be fitted with a variable speed control which reduces the speed at which the motor operates during periods of low demand.
Already have an Air Compressor? Make sure you are checking for leaks!
To determine if your system is leaking, let the compressor build up pressure during a period of minimal use, for example, during lunch break. Ideally, the compressor motor should not turn on again and the system will not register any drop in pressure.
Related Articles
How loud is an air compressor?
Causes, risks and solutions for the noise of air compressors
Why do I need a dryer for my compressor?
Air dryers remove the moisture from the compressed air process. While air can be compressed, water cannot.
SPR 10-30
10-30 horsepower oil free scroll compressor with optional integrated dryer