SPRAYING Systems Co. represented in South Africa by Monitor Engineering – is the world’s leading manufacturer of spray nozzles and spraying systems which are used in a variety of industries, including breweries, wineries and distilleries.
With alcohol production being a complex process involving several stages of cleaning, mixing, rinsing, and packaging, spray nozzles play a crucial role in helping to optimise production efficiency, ensure hygiene, and maintain product quality. From cleaning tanks and bottles to applying water or chemicals in precise quantities, spray nozzles provide the versatility and reliability that breweries, wineries and distilleries require.
Tank cleaning
One of the most critical areas where spray nozzles are used is for clean-in-place (CIP) systems. Brewing tanks, fermentation vessels, wine barrels and other equipment must be cleaned regularly to prevent contamination and ensure that the beer, wine and spirits retain their quality and taste.
Nozzles such as fluid-driven tank cleaners produce a powerful spray that reaches all areas inside a tank, removing residue, yeast, and other deposits. By using high-impact spray nozzles, producers can reduce water, chemical, and energy usage while achieving faster cleaning cycles. These nozzles also help maintain hygienic conditions without the need for manual scrubbing, thus reducing labour costs and the risk of human error.
Bottle and can rinsing and drying
In the packaging stage, spray nozzles are essential for rinsing containers, ensuring that they are free from dust, debris, or contaminants that could compromise the product’s quality. These nozzles deliver a precise and uniform spray pattern that ensures even coverage of all surfaces inside the bottle or can.
WindJet® Air Knives have a unique design that directs a high volume of air out of the knife in a straight, uniform stream. With the right air knife package, water can be removed from the domes of empty cans between washer stages without knocking them over. For filled bottles and cans, even the smallest drops can be removed.
Lubrication and coating applications
Spray nozzles are also used for the application of lubricants on conveyor belts or the coating of bottles and cans with protective layers or labelling adhesives. For example, conveyors in breweries require proper lubrication to reduce wear and tear and ensure smooth movement. Spray nozzles apply controlled amounts of lubricant to minimise waste and ensure that only the necessary areas are coated.
Washing and foam control
In various stages of brewing, including mashing and fermentation, foam can accumulate and create sanitation and product consistency issues. Foam control nozzles can spray anti-foaming agents or water in precise quantities to manage foam levels in brewing vessels.
Additionally, nozzles are used to wash down brewing equipment, floors, and other surfaces to maintain cleanliness throughout the brewery. High-pressure spray nozzles can deliver powerful streams of water or cleaning solutions to effectively remove residues, spills, and foam.
Cleaning guns
Cleaning Guns offer high-impact, low-pressure versatile performance with a variety of spray patterns. Specially designed handles will improve control used along with the optional swivel connectors with trigger lock which will reduce operator fatigue.
Water and energy efficiency
The beverage industry consumes large amounts of water and energy during the brewing process, making efficiency a priority. Spray nozzles from Spraying Systems Co. are designed with water and energy conservation in mind. Air atomising nozzles or precision flat fan nozzles allow for accurate control of water flow and spray patterns, thereby minimising waste.
One of the easiest ways to improve operating sustainability is to ensure spray nozzles are performing optimally. Like any precision component, nozzles will wear over time and when that happens, they will spray over capacity resulting in wasted fluid, an increase in energy costs, and the creation of more waste water. The costs can add up – even when nozzles are only slightly worn.
By reducing the amount of water use within an operation, the amount of energy required to heat, treat and transport that water is reduced. This has a direct impact on lowering GHG emissions and minimising carbon footprint.
Monitor Engineering’s Sustainability Assessment programme was specifically designed to help customers simplify and apply proven sustainability strategies across their operations. For a no charge assessment, contact grant@monitorspray.co.za.
