Glycol Power Packs: How They Work and Their Benefits
Glycol power packs are essential components in long draw systems. These long-draw glycol cooling systems are designed to maintain the quality and taste of beer, especially when the distance between the keg cooler and the draft beer tower exceeds 25 feet. In such cases, beer can get warm before reaching the tower, leading to a loss of taste and foaminess. Glycol power packs solve this problem by pumping chilled glycol mixture through glycol lines within a trunk line, an insulated beverage line that houses 2-24 other products, or beer lines.
Understanding glycol power packs is critical for anyone in the glycol beer line dispensing business. A glycol beer system is powered by a glycol beer chiller or power pack that contains a mixture of food-grade antifreeze and water. The power pack refrigeration unit keeps beverage lines at the perfect temperature by circulating chilled glycol mixture through the lines. Components and specifications of glycol power packs vary depending on the size and type of beer dispensing system. Some glycol power packs are air-cooled, while others are water-cooled. The number of pumps, horsepower, and BTU rating also varies. It is essential to choose the right glycol power pack that meets the specific needs of the beer dispensing system.
Understanding Glycol Power Packs
A glycol cooling power pack is an essential component of a draft beer system that helps to keep beverage lines at a perfect temperature. It is a refrigeration unit that chills a propylene glycol and water mixture contained in a reservoir between 29˚ to 32˚ F. This is called a swing or differential. The glycol power pack turns off when the temperature reaches 29˚ and turns back on at 32˚ F.
The power pack refrigeration unit works by pumping the chilled glycol mixture through glycol lines within a beer trunkline, an insulated beverage line that houses product lines and glycol lines.
There are different types of glycol chiller power packs available in the market. One of the most popular ones is the Pro-Line™ Glycol Chiller Power Pack by Micro Matic. It is a high-performance unit that is designed to provide reliable and consistent glycol cooling solution for long-draw beer systems. The Pro-Line™ Glycol Chiller Power Pack is available in different configurations, including air-cooled and water-cooled models, with different horsepower and BTU ratings.
The Pro-Line™ Glycol Chiller Power Pack by Micro Matic is a top-of-the-line product that is known for its durability and efficiency. It is designed to work with different types of glycol beer chiller systems, including direct draw and remote systems. The Pro-Line™ Glycol Chiller Power Pack is easy to install and maintain, and it comes with a range of features that make it a great investment for any bar or restaurant.
Components and Specifications
Power Pack Components
The power pack consists of various components, including a compressor, a pump, a thermostat, and a condenser. The Micro Matic Pro-Line™ Beer Glycol Power Pack (MMPP4301) has two rotary vane pumps, a digital thermostat, and an adjustable digital thermostat for precise temperature control.
Technical Specifications
The MMPP4301 has a cooling capacity of 2,300 BTU and uses R513a refrigerant. It has a width of 21 inches, a height of 26 inches, and a depth of 14 inches. The power pack has a maximum pump distance of 250 feet and a maximum vertical distance of 25 feet.
Glycol Bath
The power pack houses an 11.5-gallon glycol bath that maintains a constant temperature between 29°F and 32°F. The bath level can be monitored through a sight glass, ensuring that the glycol mixture is always at the appropriate level.
Insulation
The power pack is insulated to prevent heat transfer and maintain the temperature of the glycol bath. The insulation properties of the power pack vary depending on the model. For example, the Micro Matic Pro-Line™ Beer Glycol Power Pack (MMPP4301) has a 1-inch thick insulation with an R-value of 3.0.
Overall, the components and specifications of a glycol power pack play a crucial role in maintaining the quality and temperature of a commercial draft beer system. By choosing a power pack with the appropriate specifications and insulation properties, one can ensure that their draft beer system operates at its best.
Functioning of Glycol Power Packs
Glycol power packs are essential components of draft beer systems that keep beverage lines at the perfect temperature.
The glycol cooling power pack uses a mix of water and food-grade propylene glycol to cool beer as it travels from the keg to the tap. The glycol lines within the trunkline are kept at a constant temperature by the power pack, ensuring that the beer poured from the tap is always at the perfect temperature.
The power pack refrigeration unit is available in both air-cooled and water-cooled models. The air-cooled models are ideal for small to medium-sized draft beer systems, while the water-cooled models are more suitable for small bars and larger systems.
Draft Beer Systems
Draft beer systems are a popular way to dispense beer in bars and restaurants. They use a keg of beer that is pressurized with CO2/Nitrogen to push the beer through a line to a tap. The glycol power pack is used to keep the beer at the right temperature as it travels from the keg to the tap.
Air Cooled vs Water Cooled Power Packs
There are two types of glycol power packs: air-cooled and water-cooled. Air-cooled power packs are more common in systems that have well-ventilated areas. While water-cooled power packs are used in less ventilated areas or humid conditions. Air-cooled power packs are easier to install and maintain, but they aren't as efficient as water-cooled power packs. Water-cooled power packs are more efficient, but they require more maintenance and are more expensive to install.
Use in Bars and Restaurants
Glycol power packs are commonly used in bars and restaurants to keep beer at the perfect temperature. These units also allow most bars to pour beer hundreds of feet away from a walk-in cooler.
Glycol Chiller Manufacturers
There are many manufacturers of glycol chillers, we use Micro Matic. This company offers a range of brands of glycol beer chillers and power packs for commercial draft beer dispensing systems. They are designed to be efficient, reliable, and easy to use.
Maintenance and Serviceability
Glycol power packs are designed with the operator and service technician in mind, making maintenance, installation, and serviceability easy. The power packs come with an adjustable digital thermostat that provides an accurate glycol temperature display for easy readability. The integrated sight-glass allows the bath level to be checked without removing the glycol system lid.
Regular maintenance of the glycol power pack is essential to ensure reliable performance and reduce downtime. It is recommended to perform regular maintenance every six months. The maintenance should include cleaning the condenser coils, checking the refrigerant levels, and inspecting the compressor, evaporator, and pump.
In case of any issues, service calls are easily made to rectify any problems. The manufacturer usually provides a warranty for the power pack, which covers any defects in materials or workmanship. The warranty period can vary depending on the manufacturer and the model of the power pack.
Overall, the life cycle of a glycol power pack can be extended with proper maintenance and serviceability. It is essential to follow the manufacturer's guidelines for maintenance and service to ensure the longevity and reliability of the power pack.
Food-grade antifreeze in Glycol Power Packs
Glycol power packs are refrigeration units that use propylene glycol, a non-toxic, food-grade antifreeze mixed with water to maintain the perfect product temperature from keg to tap. Propylene glycol is a clear, odorless liquid that is commonly used as a food additive and is considered safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Food-grade antifreeze is a mixture of propylene glycol and water that is used in antifreeze mixture in various applications, including in the food industry. It is used to cool and preserve food products, as well as in heating and cooling systems. Propylene glycol is preferred over ethylene glycol, which is toxic and not safe for use in food products.
Glycol power packs offer a better alternative for establishments that pride themselves on always delivering a perfect pour. They maintain the perfect temperature of the beer from the keg to the tap, ensuring that the beer is always served at its optimal temperature.
Overall, the use of food-grade antifreeze in glycol power packs is a safe and effective way to maintain the perfect temperature of beer and other beverages.
Summary
A glycol power pack is a refrigeration unit that is an essential component of a draft beer system. It is responsible for keeping beverage lines at the perfect temperature by pumping chilled glycol mixture through glycol lines within a trunkline, which is an insulated beverage line that houses 2-24 other product lines. The first glycol beer line mixture is typically made up of a propylene glycol and water mixture, which is chilled to a temperature between 29˚ to 32˚ F. This temperature range is called a swing or differential. The glycol power pack turns off when the temperature reaches 29˚ and turns back on at 32˚ F.
The glycol beer chiller houses a reservoir for the glycol/water mix, a submerged evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, and a pump to circulate the glycol mixture through the trunkline. The power pack can store one to three pumps and motors to manage up to three full trunk lines or line lines servicing up to 24 beer products. Glycol power packs are available in both air-cooled and water-cooled versions.
Glycol power packs are crucial for maintaining a perfectly chilled temperature in beverage dispensing, ensuring the perfect pour every time.
If you have any further questions please contact us. For more information about draft beer. Check out our blog Beer Education.
