Replacing Obsolete Brewery Pumps and Reducing Water Consumption

When a pump fails after decades of service, finding a suitable replacement isn’t always straightforward, particularly when the original manufacturer is no longer in business.

That was the challenge facing a historic brewery in the East of England when one of its ageing centrifugal pumps failed and an urgent replacement was required.

The existing pipework had been designed around the original pumps, which were now obsolete, meaning a standard replacement would have required costly and time-consuming modifications to the surrounding pipework.

With production at stake, the brewery approached CDR Pumps to find an alternative solution.

Replacement Pumps Engineered to Fit the Existing System

Our engineers worked closely with the brewery to understand the existing installation and identify a replacement that could be incorporated into the system with minimal disruption.

We supplied modified TCHM mechanically sealed centrifugal pumps, configured to fit within the brewery’s existing pipework arrangement. This allowed the obsolete pumps to be replaced without the need for extensive pipework modifications, helping to reduce both the cost and disruption associated with the upgrade.

Since the old pumps had been installed so long ago, they pre-dated current standardised pump designs. Replacing them with TCHM pumps manufactured to ISO 2858 and ISO 5199 standards provided the brewery with a modern, standardised pumping solution, supporting safe and reliable operation and making ongoing maintenance and future replacement more straightforward.

Reducing Water Consumption

Replacing the pumps also provided an opportunity to review the existing water management system.

The brewery had previously been using a ‘quench-to-drain’ seal flush system to keep the seal area clean during operation. While mechanically reliable and effective in enhancing seal life, this approach is highly water-intensive, consuming approximately 3–4 litres of water per minute.

The new system recirculates the water used by the sealing system rather than continuously drawing fresh mains water and discharging it to drain.

As a result, the brewery has significantly reduced the amount of mains water required by the pump sealing system, providing both an operational and environmental benefit.

A More Reliable and Sustainable Brewery Pumping Solution

This project demonstrates how replacing an obsolete pump can provide an opportunity to improve more than just the pump itself.

By engineering the replacement pumps around the brewery’s existing installation, extensive pipework modifications were avoided, while upgrading the sealing system helped significantly reduce ongoing water consumption.

For breweries looking to replace obsolete or unreliable pumps, reviewing the wider pumping system can identify opportunities to improve long-term reliability and reduce water consumption.

If you’re looking to replace an obsolete or unreliable pump, or need help with a brewery pump application, our engineers can assess your requirements and recommend a suitable solution.

Contact the CDR Pumps team on 01933 674777 or sales@cdrpumps.co.uk