HandyTube
July 25, 2024
AM/NS Calvert
July 25, 2024The Situation
When COVID-19 struck, Life is Brewing had to pivot. Bolstered by the support of its community, the brewery was able to navigate the complexities of the pandemic by starting a co-packing operation specializing in beer, seltzer and ready-to-drink cocktails, and selling beer in its parking lot. With its new line of business, the brewery quickly realized they needed to move into a larger space.
The Challenge
Before the pandemic, Life is Brewing had a manual, hands-on brewhouse with hand valves and hand transfer processes. These manual processes would not work in its new, much larger facility, where they planned to co-pack and can for others, as well as move from a three-barrel system to a 60-barrel system. The Life is Brewing team had to embrace automated valve systems powered by compressed air to ensure they could keep up barrel production and the canning line.
The Solution
Increased production and demand meant the team needed compressed air 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for their brewing and co-packing operation. Life is Brewing now operates two Kaishan KRSB-15 belt drive rotary screw air compressors to power and automate its canning and brewing processes. This automated brewing system has 95 to 100 valves that—through the use of compressed air control—automatically open and close based on specified brewing parameters.
The Results
On-Demand Compressed Air: Kaishan compressors provide reliable compressed air exactly when needed—with no failures due to robust engineering features, such as the 120-gallon air receiver.
Air-Controlled Automation: Automated valve control processes for Life is Brewing’s production systems are air-controlled via the MAM-200 digital control panel to enable greater barrel production.
Easy Maintenance: Kaishan compressors were designed with routine maintenance in mind with easy access to the oil fill and oil drain. Life is Brewing is able to fully service each compressor in less than an hour.
Fluid Transfer at the Right Time: Life is Brewing uses Kaishan air compressors to ensure that fluids are transferred at the correct moment during the brewing process for a consistent end-product.
Training: Kaishan KRSB air compressors are easy to use and require little to no training.
General Facility Maintenance: Life is Brewing also uses Kaishan air compressors for general maintenance around their facilities, such as the upkeep of its tractors.
Continued Expansion: Life is Brewing is looking to expand into a 300,000 square-foot facility with a brewing capacity of up to 300,000 barrels a year. It now employs more than 50 people, with plans to continue growing the team.
“Kaishan air compressors have a high reliability, are easy to use and maintain, and are user-friendly. I am thoroughly impressed with Kaishan USA from an operational standpoint and a customer service standpoint as well.”
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