H₂O engineering uses Danfoss high-pressure pump to make fine wine even better in Napa Valley

Good wine depends on a great array of factors. Some of these, like the weather, the winemaker has no influence on. Others are carefully controlled and can make the difference between mediocre and marvelous vintages. Increasingly, vinters use RO both to concentrate the "must" and to fine-tune blends.

"Our client, a high-end winery in Napa Valley, needed a better RO system," says Brendon Shearin, water process engineer at H₂O Engineering. "They had been using a setup with a dual-piston plunger pump and huge pulsation dampeners. It vibrated so badly, with a noise level so intense, that staff had to use earplugs to be in the same room. The customer also wanted to simplify operation of the system and make it smaller so it could be moved around the cramped quarters of their winemaking cave."

H₂O Engineering designed a skid-based, all stainless steel system that is much smaller than its predecessor. In addition to the onboard CIP system, custom ultra-high pressure RO membranes and PLC/HMI control panel, the new system operates at several voltages so it can work anywhere in the winery.

At the heart of ultra-high-pressure configuration is a Danfoss PAH 32. "I was familiar with Danfoss' axial pump technology from my previous company," explains Shearin, "so we decided to take a closer look at a PAH pump. It's quiet and small, doesn't need pulsation dampeners, and requires fewer stainless fittings and pipes. With this pump, the size of the entire system could be seriously reduced. What's more, it uses the pumped medium – in this case grape juice or wine – as the only lubricant. This makes it ideal for food and beverage applications, with zero risk of cross contamination."

Whereas standard SWRO takes place between 800 – 1,200 psi, the new ultra-high-pressure RO system runs at up to 1,500 psi. This, along with permeate volume, timed cycle and brix controls enable the winery to fine-tune processes more precisely than ever.

"The customer is really happy with our solution," smiles Shearin, "and so are we. The noise level is now below the OSHA threshold for hearing protection. Plug-and-play implicity combined with transparent process controls and small footprint really boost the usability factor. And because maintenance is simple and we were able to save on some expensive fittings and pipes in this all-stainless configuration, the total costs of ownership are quite competitive. We believe the system has good market potential in both the wine making and other food and beverage industries."