Buffer/Bright Tank

A buffer tank holds finished beverage before filling so the filler always has a steady supply, smoothing interruptions between upstream production and downstream packaging. A bright tank is used for conditioning and carbonating the product before packaging. On a small line one vessel can serve both roles, which is why we supply them as Buffer / Bright Tanks and match the size to your filler's hourly output rather than to the fermenter.

Yes. The tank has a pressure-resistant design with precise pressure control, which preserves carbonation and minimises CO₂ loss while the product waits to be filled. Maintaining head pressure is what keeps the carbonation level set upstream from dropping before the product reaches the filler. Where carbonation is set at the filler instead, the tank's role is steady supply rather than carbonation control.

SUS304 is the standard choice and suits the great majority of beer, cider, juice and kombucha applications. SUS316 offers better resistance to chloride and to more aggressive or acidic products, so it is specified for special beverage applications where corrosion resistance is the limiting factor. If your product or your cleaning regime is unusually aggressive, tell us and we will confirm which grade applies.

The tank is built from 100 L to 20,000 L, with a working pressure of 0.2–0.3 MPa, a 360° CIP spray ball, tri-clamp sanitary connections and 50–100 mm PU insulation; vertical or horizontal. Tank size should be matched to your filler's hourly output and to how much buffer time you want. A tank that is too small reintroduces the interruptions it was bought to remove, while an oversized tank increases cleaning load and product hold time — so the size should follow the filler, not the fermenter.

Yes. The tank is supplied with a CIP cleaning device among its standard fittings, along with a cooling jacket, pressure control system, level indicator, sample valve and sanitary fittings. Because it is a closed vessel with sanitary connections, cleaning is done in place without dismantling, which matters for both hygiene and turnaround between products.

The integrated cooling jacket holds the product at a consistent temperature while it waits to be filled, which helps preserve carbonation and beverage quality during storage. Temperature stability matters most when the tank is used as a buffer between production and a long or interrupted filling run, because that is when the product sits longest. It also prevents the product warming between the bright tank and the filler.