Diaphragm Pump Technology Drives Industrial Dishwashers

Cleanliness is Essential in Food Service

Whether large or small, any food service operation needs to quickly and efficiently clean their dishes. They typically rely on industrial dishwashers to do that. There are a variety of commercial dishwashing options available, from conveyors to door type washers to under-counter models. While they may serve a similar purpose to the machines commonly found in homes, they differ in several ways.

Commercial dishwashers typically have much larger capacity, and thus require higher and more consistent water pressure. They also run faster, as completing cycles quickly is essential to keeping the business running. The average commercial dishwasher heats water up to 82°C (180° F), much hotter than what the average domestic model can achieve. This ensures dangerous bacteria is killed completely.

Industrial Dishwashers Use More than Just Water

Washing the dishes is just the start in food service applications. Dispensing rinse aids and detergents are important parts of the cleaning process. Many food service providers are required to sanitize their dishes and silverware before and after use. Most commercial dishwashers have the ability to perform these functions built in. However, they do require the use of specific chemicals. Because high water pressure is so essential and so many different liquids are needed, pumps are critically important in industrial dishwashing applications.

A Variety of Challenges

Diaphragm pumps are a strong choice for introducing rinse aids, detergents and sanitizers in industrial dishwashers. Typically, rinse aids and sanitizers are diluted with water before being sprayed on dishes, while detergents are introduced directly into machines. The high pressure required to dispense these into common water pressure lines means industrial dishwashers need to rely on powerful pumps. The lack of space in many of these systems means the pump must also fit into a small area. One example of a potential solution is the KNF FF 20. It offers a maximum pressure of 3 bar (rel.) with a compact design. It has a maximum flow rate of 0.23 l/min and is available with both brushed and brushless DC motor options.

Chemical Compatibility is Essential

Sanitizers also present the additional challenge of chemical compatibility. The often-aggressive chemicals used in the sanitation process are stored separately and pumped in to be diluted with water before they come in contact with dishes. Because of this, a pump like the NF 1.10 that can handle these media is critical. The NF 1.10 is available with a PPS pump head, making it extremely chemical resistant. It also offers the strong pressure performance required, with a maximum pressure of 6 bar (rel).

Powerful Pumps for Complex Systems

Something as simple and mundane as dish washing may not seem like a major challenge. However, industrial dishwashers are complex systems with a variety of moving parts and different liquids involved. Choosing the right pump for the job is critical for ensuring equipment meets the demanding standards of the food service industry.