Installing a Commercial Beverage Carbonation System

Commercial beverage carbonation systems make it easy to create carbonated beverages for your customers, and you can have specific systems for producing a variety of drink options, including sparkling water, soda, beer and sparkling wine. 

With a good understanding of these setups and a little bit of skill, installing a commercial beverage carbonation system can be a rewarding project.

Overview of Commercial Beverage Carbonation Systems

In the food and beverage industry, providing a range of options to satisfy customers is crucial. Carbonating beverages is an easy but highly effective way to diversify your drinks menu, and it all starts with installing the system.

Beverage Carbonation Systems Key Components

Beverage carbonation systems feature several key components, though these will differ depending on whether you are carbonating soft drinks or beer.

Commercial draft beer rigs have comprehensive setups that include: 

• Kegs: Kegs are vital for storing your beer properly to retain its quality. 
• Gas blender: The gas blender regulates the carbonation levels of the beer by blending the right mixture of carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen (N2). The right gas blend will depend on the style of beer you are brewing.
• Power pack: The power pack consists of the CO2 and N2 cylinders, which provide a consistent gas supply to carbonate the beer. You will also need a pressure regulator to maintain proper and consistent carbonation.
• Flow regulator: A flow control device is crucial for accurate pours with consistent portions and less waste. 
• Regulator: Regulator panels help you have more precise control over your setup and settings. The controls allow you to monitor pressure and have independent pressure settings depending on the type of beer you are producing.  
• Dispensing system: You will need a dispensing system with a tower that houses stainless steel faucets to serve your beer.

Commercial beverage systems for soda are somewhat different than for beer, but there are common components like the regulator:

• Carbonator: The heart of a commercial soda dispenser is the carbonation system or carbonator. It combines CO2 gas and water to create the carbonation.
• Bag-in-box (BIB) syrup: This is the box that contains your soda syrup or flavoring. It is connected to the dispensing machine, and the carbonated water will mix with the syrup to create soda.
• Cooling system: The cooling system could be an ice bank or ice bin, a cold plate with non-toxic refrigerant or direct refrigeration. 
• Carbonator pump: The carbonator pump connects the water source to the carbonation.
• Dispensing system: The dispensing system contains the valves or taps. It may have push buttons or lever dispensers.

Choosing the Right System

At Meritus Gas Partners, we have beverage systems for small and large-scale businesses, including mini-systems, micro-bulk systems and bulk systems. 

The best beverage carbonation system will depend entirely on your business needs. For example, you may have a small restaurant, so the mini-system or micro-bulk system may be a more effective and practical option than a larger model. We also have beverage-grade CO2, nitrogen generators and custom beverage gas blends to complete the setup. 

Installing Your System

Before starting the installation, ensure you have accessed your space and layout needs according to the system size you have.

For a commercial fountain drink system, you can follow these basic installation steps: 

1. Secure the CO2 tank to ensure it cannot fall over while you are installing the system. 
2. Connect the regulator to the CO2 tank.
3. Mount the syrup pumps.
4. Install the carbonator and connect it to the water source using the carbonator pump. 
5. Run the CO2 hoses to connect the regulator to the carbonator and syrup pumps.
6. Connect the soda water feeds and syrup pumps to the dispenser. 
7. Connect the BIB syrups by running the syrup feed lines to the fountain.

Are Permits Needed to Install a Beverage Carbonation System?

You will also want to ensure you have all the required permits, if applicable. Permits vary from city to city and state to state. Your Meritus Gas Partners’ sales representative or beverage carbonation specialist can give you details for any necessary permits.

Installation Safety Guidelines

Always follow the manufacturer’s instruction manual for the system you’re installing. If you are confused about any of the installation steps, contact the manufacturer or a professional installer to take over the process. Since you are working with potentially hazardous gases and pressurized equipment, it is always better to be safe than to take the next step if you are unsure of the process.

Anyone working with the carbonator and gas cylinders should follow these tips for handling CO2 carefully and working as safely as possible with pressurized gases:

• Implement staff training and emergency procedures.
• Always work in a well-ventilated space, as CO2 is an asphyxiant that displaces oxygen.
• Never tamper with or modify CO2 systems and equipment.
• Conduct regular safety checks and keep all systems well-maintained.
• Always follow manufacturer instructions and installation guides to operate your system correctly, including having the right carbonation levels and the right pressure for the type of beverage you are producing.

Maintaining and Troubleshooting Your System

Maintaining your carbonation system ensures it runs efficiently and lasts as long as expected. Be sure to regularly inspect your setup and keep it clean and sanitized. Always check that the carbonator pump is not running dry and that there’s sufficient CO2 in the tanks before operating the system.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

There are several indications that your commercial carbonation system may not have been installed properly or has other maintenance or repair issues that need your attention. Some common carbonation system problems and fixes include the following:

• The beverage is flat: Check that the carbonator is plugged in and working and there is sufficient CO2 in your cylinders. 
• CO2 is running out quickly: You may need to change your BIB syrup bag.
• Frost on the tank: Frost on the tank can be completely normal, especially during busy times. However, frost that isn’t melting could indicate a leak in the CO2 systems — call a technician immediately if that is the case.
• The tank is making hissing sounds: This could indicate pressure problems. A technician should service the tank. 

Get Beverage-Grade CO2 and Commercial Beverage Systems From Meritus Gas Partners

Carbonating beverages and setting up a commercial beverage carbonator system requires the right know-how and equipment. However, installing carbonation systems is possible by following manufacturer instructions carefully, adhering to safety guidelines and calling a professional if you are ever in doubt.

At Meritus Gas Partners, our partners are reputable gas distributors with industry-leading knowledge of gas systems for beverage carbonation. We have systems and solutions for carbonating drinks on all scales, including CO2 mini-systems, bulk systems and premium gas blends.

Visit any of our affiliated branches or contact us today for expert guidance on beverage carbonation systems and beverage-grade CO2 supplies.