Old school brew house cleaning chemicals

[aculand]

We are opening a brewery in Latin America and were wondering what basic chemicals were used in the past for caustic, acid wash and sterilization?

We don't have access to modern brewery-specific chemicals and want some advice on selecting basic alternatives that might be available locally.

Thank you,

Gregory

[gitchegumee]

You will be surprised to learn what is available to you as modern cleaners. Companies like Diversey and Ecolab and a few others are global. Take a close look around at what soft drink companies, dairies, food processors, egg & meat processors, pharmaceutical, and even municipal water treatment are using for chemicals. You will likely find what you're looking for. Good luck!

[KWLSD]

With brewers like Grupo Modelo and FEMSA in the region, I would expect most brewery-specific chemicals to be available locally, as Phillip advises.

Basic chemicals are:

Caustic: ~2% NaOH solution. Cheaper to buy in bulk at 30-40% and break down to RFU strength on site;

Acid: Usually phosphoric-based, I seem to recall from my lab days ~1%

Sterilisation: Steam works well, as does chlorine dioxide.

[aculand]

Thanks. I am in contact with Ecolab and they are coming soon to give us a quote.

[Bbump22]

With brewers like Grupo Modelo and FEMSA in the region, I would expect most brewery-specific chemicals to be available locally, as Phillip advises.

Basic chemicals are:

Caustic: ~2% NaOH solution. Cheaper to buy in bulk at 30-40% and break down to RFU strength on site;

Acid: Usually phosphoric-based, I seem to recall from my lab days ~1%

Sterilisation: Steam works well, as does chlorine dioxide.

Peracetic Acid works well for sanitizing tanks/hoses/etc. Pretty easy to find.