Pumps for Food & Beverage Applications
Finish Thompson offers a variety of pumps specifically constructed of FDA compliant materials and are ideal for food and beverage applications where 3A or USDA standards are not required.
Typical Applications
Transfer of flavorings, dyes, sauces, juices, spirits, CIP solutions, DI water and many more into process tanks or kettles.
Which Series are Applicable?
Pump Details
AC Series Centrifugal Pumps
Manufactured from 316 stainless steel with available FDA seals, elastomers and tri-clamp connections, Finish Thompson AC Series pumps are ideal for the transfer of a variety of thin bodied liquids used in the food and beverage industries.
Features
- Heavy gage 316 stainless steel construction – Handles higher pipe and hose loads for long, dependable life.
- Centrifugal design – Provides smooth, pulseless liquid flow.
- Multiple sizes – A wide variety of suction/discharge sizes and impeller diameters for increased hydraulic coverage.
- High temperature range – Capable of handling hot liquids (up to 200°F/93°C).
Drum Pumps
Finish Thompson drum pumps are extremely versatile and are not just for use in in drums. A wide range of tube lengths allow them to be used in drums, barrels, totes, IBCs (intermediate bulk containers) and other container sizes.
Features
- 316 stainless steel construction – Durable and corrosion resistant.
- FDA compliant materials – All FDA pumps have wetted materials that are FDA compliant.
- Tri-Clamp connections – Available Tri-Clamp connection on all FDA versions. Many also offer hose barb as well.
- Explosion proof/ATEX options — When equipped with the proper motor, can transfer flammable alcohol-based fluids and are suitable for use in hazardous locations
FTI Air – Air Operated Double Diaphragm Pumps
Powered by compressed air, FTI Air pumps can run dry, handle solids and abrasives, pump viscous and shear sensitive fluids and are easy to install and operate. 316 stainless steel and polypropylene pumps are available with FDA Compliant Materials construction.
Features
- Simple, durable design – Fewer parts improves reliability and maintenance.
- Non-stalling air valve – Simple, rugged, reliable design.
- Variable flow and pressure – Easy adjustment makes it easy to meet application requirements.
- Ease of operation & maintenance – Fewer parts makes FTI Air pumps easy to install, operate and maintain
DB Series, SP Series
Magnetically coupled, sealless centrifugal pumps. While NOT manufactured from FDA compliant materials, Finish Thompson DB Series and SP Series pumps are designed from the ground up to pump corrosive chemicals. They are ideal for transfer of raw CIP solutions from bulk storage to CIP process tanks. Sodium hydroxide, nitric and phosphoric acids, sodium hypochlorite and peracetic acid are easily and safely transferred.
Features
- No mechanical seal – Powerful rare earth magnetic drive system eliminates the troublesome mechanical seal.
- Corrosion resistant – Engineered for the most aggressive liquids, manufactured from polypropylene or PVDF.
- Run dry ability – Makes them less prone to operator error or system upset.
- Self-priming option – SP Series pumps can lift fluid from as deep as 25 feet (7.6 meters) below the pump or can pull liquid out of the top of a tank eliminating through-the-sidewall bulkhead fittings.
A Case in Point
Finish Thompson Brews Up Centrifugal Pump Solution to Help Sanitize Beer Kegs
Where can brewery manufacturers turn for industry-leading centrifugal pump solutions? Phil Spivey, owner of Bru Gear, turned to Finish Thompson Inc. and has been reaping the benefits ever since.
Bru Gear designs world-class craft brewery vessels and systems in Tempe, AZ. The company’s microbrewery market includes a high demand for FDA-friendly keg washers. For optimal results, these machines must do more than simply clean and sanitize kegs. The equipment must allow micro- brewers to easily disconnect the system, comply with FDA material requirements, and do all of this economically.
Spivey discovered Finish Thompson to be the perfect partner to meet each of these demands. He explains, “We’ve worked with several manufacturers over the years, and what we were looking for was a reliable partner who was going to help us go to market. Since our keg washers are 100% made in the USA, we also wanted to work with a trusted domestic brand. We met with Richard McDevitt of Finish Thompson and discovered they could offer us great support.”
McDevitt, Regional Manager, notes, “Our competition offered a similar pump, but they didn’t have the same options we offer for FDA compliance. By choosing our AP series centrifugal pump, Bru Gear was able to equip their product with a stainless-steel pump that features the connections they needed and the compliance they needed. We were also able to make their production more economical, which effectively boosts their bottom line.”
Streamlined Solution
“The brewery industry has needs for sanitary solutions when handling products,” Spivey notes. “They’ve largely standardized on the tri-clamp, so this is a standard sanitary fitting for us. The Finish Thompson FDA compliant pump has this as an option, where a lot of pump manufacturers don’t have them. Some try to get around it by supplying a standard fitting that you can thread onto, but this doesn’t give you a true sanitary connection. The fact that Finish Thompson has gone to the effort to make their housings FDA compatible makes it a much more streamlined solution. It’s much easier for us to integrate into our system.”
Brand Recognition
Cost and compliance were not the only factors Spivey considered as he chose a pump manufacturer. Finish Thompson’s reputation heightened the appeal of their products.
Spivey explains, “Finish Thompson is a market leader in the brewing industry. For us, working with them brings the benefits of networking. Being able to say ‘our keg washers integrate Finish Thompson pumps’ is a positive. Finish Thompson has a reputation for reliability, so when we present our keg washer with their pump in it, it underscores our reliability as far as our customers are concerned. They’ve seen and used Finish Thompson pumps in other equipment, so it offers immediate brand recognition and trust.”
Spivey now installs Finish Thompson pumps into every washer he sells.
Versatile Application
What’s it been like to work with Finish Thompson? “It’s been a straightforward process,” says Spivey, “which is what we like. We’ve been working with them for a while, now, and we’ll definitely be using Finish Thompson pumps for future products. In fact, we’ve started installing their pumps in other parts of breweries. We can mount the same series of pumps with different flow rates to allow brewers to pump liquids. The equipment can facilitate moving beer as well as well as cleaning processes. In short, working with Finish Thompson is a win-win.”
