Filtering and treatment - challenges and solutions
Filtration, treatment and pre-packaging
The two main technologies for final beer filtration are Kieselguhr and cross-flow membrane filtration. Spoilage, clogging and waste management are some of the challenges faced by brewers.
The production of differentiated products, from non-alcoholic and strong beers to flavour-infused derivatives, are on the increase. Our portfolio of blending, carbonation and de-alcoholization modules provide effective ways to reliably and flexibly produce new and unique products for your current and future customers.
Before packaging, pasteurization or sterile filtration eliminates any micro-organisms to enhance shelf-life, product taste, and safety. We offer solutions to do so effectively in a more sustainable way.
Beer filtration
Challenge
- Kieselguhr filter clogging during filtration
- High Kieselguhr usage
- Short filtration cycles on crossflow filters
Solution
Outcome
- Stable and low solid content on the separator outlet
- Removal of solids by centrifugation reduces overall Kieselguhr usage and decreases the load during filtration
- Minimizes micronization of particulates in beer, reducing filter clogging and allowing longer filtration cycles
Challenge
- Short product shelf life
- Reinfection
Outcome
- Complete removal of micro-organisms
Challenge
- Oxidation during filtration
Outcome
- Deaerated water in transfer lines between brews prevents oxidation
Challenge
- High waste management cost
Solution
Outcome
- Easier waste management of Kieselguhr with liquid removed, making it drier and lighter
Blending, dosing, and carbonation
Challenge
- Getting the beer within specification
Outcome
- Assured accuracy in blending, dosing, and carbonation
Alcohol removal
Challenge
- Need to produce low-alcohol beer
Solution
- Alfa Laval Lowal dealcoholizer (based on RO/NF cross-flow filtration)
Outcome
- No thermal impact on product
- Production of low alcoholic beer (<0.5% v/v)
Challenge
- Need to produce non-alcoholic beer
Solution
- Alfa Laval Dealcoholization module (based on steam stripping under partial vacuum)
Outcome
- Production of non-alcoholic beer (<0.05% v/v)
- Consistency of output
- Stripped alcohol can be reused as ingredient in other applications
Treatment
Challenge
- Maintaining required shelf life and risk of re-infection
- High energy usage
Outcome
- Micro-organisms eliminated in beer
- Increased product shelf life
- With Flexitherm, up to 95% energy recovery, reduced operating costs (by up to 80%) compared to a traditional tunnel pasteurizer
- With Beer Sterile Filtration module, cold process requiring a minimal amount of energy