Integrated Sterile Filtration Systems for Beer Cider & Wine

Sterile filtration and microbreweries

The improved performance of high quality membrane filters such as the one offered by IC Filling Systems has allowed microbrewers to eliminate the need to invest heavily in pasteurising equipment both in the initial capital outlay and the running costs, while ensuring the desired shelf life for their beers.

In the past with traditional methods suitable for high volumes production

A typical pasteurising tunnel capable of just 1,000 bottles per hour takes a 5 square metre footprint, costs around €80,000 and requires heavy consumption of steam to heat up the bottles from +4 C to +65C and then to cool it down to 30C prior to packing. Energy consumption is starting at 200,000 Calories (including cooling) per hour. Water consumption is still an important issue of pasteurising. And energy intense. A cumbersome system that justifies itself only really in large industrial plants.

Now available for microbreweries

For microbreweries, the relatively recent availability of sterile filtering has been a blessing and has allowed small brewers to flourish, which otherwise would not have had the resources to establish a bottling plant and would have had to confine themselves to kegging or to using external contract bottlers. A triple filter solution can now fit into just over 1.5 square metres at a cost starting from just €11,000 upwards and no real running costs other than the occasional change of filter cartridge.

PALL filtration - Stainless steel housing AISI 316L . Sanitary vent valve equipped with sight glass with double Staubli valve, manometer 0-10 bar able for integrity test - TC 1" 1/2

1st Stage

• "Profile Star" polypropylene filter element
• Style: Bayonet lock with double o-ring
• Absolute Rating : 1,5 µm
• The W code AB style Profile Star filter meets requirements for food contact European Regulation (EC) Number 1935/2004

2nd Stage

• Filter element "Oenoclear II" is constructed from a unique liquid crystal polymer specifically noted for its thermal stability, high mechanical strength and good chemical compatibility.
• Style: Bayonet lock with double o-ring
• The W code AB style Oenoclear filter meets requirements for food contact European Regulation (EC) Number 1935/2004

3rd Stage

• The Ultipor N66 Nylon filter element provides reliable, economical and efficient microbial stabilization for a broad range of food and beverage applications. Ultipor N66 filters are suitable for exposure to repeated hot water and in situ steam sanitization cycles for longer service life.
• Style: Bayonet lock with double o-ring
• Absolute Rating : 0,45 µm
• The W code AB style UltiporN66 filter meets requirements for food contact European Regulation (EC) Number 1935/2004