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. 

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Beer filtration

Challenge

  • Kieselguhr filter clogging during filtration
  • High Kieselguhr usage
  • Short filtration cycles on crossflow filters

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

Outcome

  • Easier waste management of Kieselguhr with liquid removed, making it drier and lighter
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Blending, dosing, and carbonation

Challenge

  • Getting the beer within specification

Outcome

  • Assured accuracy in blending, dosing, and carbonation
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Alcohol removal

Challenge

  • Need to produce low-alcohol beer 

Solution

Outcome

  • No thermal impact on product
  • Production of low alcoholic beer (<0.5% v/v)

Challenge

  • Need to produce non-alcoholic beer

Solution

Outcome

  • Production of non-alcoholic beer (<0.05% v/v)
  • Consistency of output
  • Stripped alcohol can be reused as ingredient in other applications

Treatment

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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
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