Pumping solutions for chocolate syrup
Pumping solutions for chocolate syrup
(OP)
Hi all,
I am researching ways to pump small doses (~10-40grams) of chocolate syrup with an accuracy constraint of +/- 10%. One thing I noticed with the syrup is that the viscosity can vary greatly with temperature, 10000-25000 centipoises. The environment this will be used in does not have a constant temperature so either the pump will need to be able to deal with the range of viscosity or the temperature could have some level of control internally.
Some of the options of I have been exploring:
Piston Pumps
Diaphragm Pumps
Bellows Pumps
Impeller Pumps
Lobe Pumps
Positive Displacement Pumps (Using stepper motors and a pressing plate to squeeze bags of syrup or similar)
Some sort of auger design (fondue machine?)
One thing I have noticed is that certain pump designs such as impeller pumps are very difficult to clean. It would be nice to have fairly easy access to cleaning the pump head or a disposable pump head. My favorite options so far are positive displacement options that inherently make it so no syrup touches the mechanical parts.
If anyone has any experience with something similar I would love to hear from you! Thanks
I am researching ways to pump small doses (~10-40grams) of chocolate syrup with an accuracy constraint of +/- 10%. One thing I noticed with the syrup is that the viscosity can vary greatly with temperature, 10000-25000 centipoises. The environment this will be used in does not have a constant temperature so either the pump will need to be able to deal with the range of viscosity or the temperature could have some level of control internally.
Some of the options of I have been exploring:
Piston Pumps
Diaphragm Pumps
Bellows Pumps
Impeller Pumps
Lobe Pumps
Positive Displacement Pumps (Using stepper motors and a pressing plate to squeeze bags of syrup or similar)
Some sort of auger design (fondue machine?)
One thing I have noticed is that certain pump designs such as impeller pumps are very difficult to clean. It would be nice to have fairly easy access to cleaning the pump head or a disposable pump head. My favorite options so far are positive displacement options that inherently make it so no syrup touches the mechanical parts.
If anyone has any experience with something similar I would love to hear from you! Thanks





RE: Pumping solutions for chocolate syrup
RE: Pumping solutions for chocolate syrup
Or a peristaltic, if your tolerance is 10% might be fine.
RE: Pumping solutions for chocolate syrup
So, your weights, coupled with the density, say that the volumes you're trying to deposit are with the range of a syringe-type system, so flow can be controlled by volume, somewhat independent of viscosity. Something like: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:482873 possibly.
TTFN (ta ta for now)
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RE: Pumping solutions for chocolate syrup
Thanks for the ideas :)
RE: Pumping solutions for chocolate syrup
RE: Pumping solutions for chocolate syrup
RE: Pumping solutions for chocolate syrup
That would help keep the tube in shape and keep the system clean.
A small diaphragm pump would fit the application, if you could allow a fairly slow cycle then viscosity would not have much impact.
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P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube
RE: Pumping solutions for chocolate syrup
speaking of bags, have you considered a Juicero? They're probably pretty cheap now
TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers Entire Forum list http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm
RE: Pumping solutions for chocolate syrup
MJCronin
Sr. Process Engineer
RE: Pumping solutions for chocolate syrup
EdStainless - very good point about changing the tubes w/ bag at same time. The chocolate syrup pump will be used in an under the counter pumping setup, not unlike under the counter dairy dispensing units. So the cycle time of a diaphragm pump could be a problem if there was a quick need for chocolate syrup, I would need to examine how quickly a diaphragm pump could go through a cycle for a viscous fluid. Definitely worth looking into! Thank you.
RE: Pumping solutions for chocolate syrup
Nice, neat, simple, cheap, user controlled
Remember - More details = better answers
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RE: Pumping solutions for chocolate syrup
We currently use a similar product but we want to design something that we can integrate into our system. I have actually considered making a sort of automated hand pump within the system where a linear actuator would do the pumping action at the press of a button. The largest obstacle to overcome with this design is that we have several dispense sizes ranging from 7.5mL to 30mL. With a single handpump this would require multiple pumps from the user. Perhaps I could create a hand pump similar to that with 3 nozzles that have preset sizes for each pump.
RE: Pumping solutions for chocolate syrup
RE: Pumping solutions for chocolate syrup
Sometimes you see the fluid sitting in a pressurised vessel and then the dispensing is done by rapidly opening and closing solenoid valves with the either a set amount for each "pulse" or a set time for the different amounts you want.
The peristaltic pump if driven by saw a worm gear DC motor with a good turn down and then timed could give you good repeatability.
As I'm sure you've discovered, the drink dispensing industry does this a lot.
Search for syrup BIB (Bag in box) dispensing systems.
you find sites like this http://www.sodadispenserdepot.com/syruppumps.html
Just give them a call
Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.
RE: Pumping solutions for chocolate syrup
Automate a simple plunger pump (aka ServerProducts style) with an air cylinder and position sensors. Very similar dosage metering pumps are common in dispensing pigments and additives for both paints and personal care products.
Another option is someone like KNF who makes diaphragm metering pumps.
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P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube