Filtration and Oxygen

[I.D. Rinks]

Anyone have any good tricks for minimizing oxygen pick up during filtration (DE)? There are the obvious techniques - Tighten all connections, purging the filter with co2, setting up the filter with beer, scrubbing the dosing tank, precoat, body feed with Co2 via a stone in the bottom of the dose tank and blanketing co2 over the dosing tank during filtering. Any other suggestions?

Cheers

JB

[Geoff Logan]

JB,
There was a discussion on this topic a couple months ago. A quick search should help you find what you're looking for.

Geoff

[TL Services]

If you have the facility, make sure you pack the whole system (from as close as possible to your feed tank outlet to the inlet of the bright tank) with de-aerated water before running beer.

Try not to have any high points that can trap air pockets as even a small amount can raise DO2 massively.

Make sure all horizontal mains are fully packed and not simply ponding, ie. the water is running along the bottom. Try to pack from the lowest point on a system and vent from the highest.

Double-check any pumps, etc. to make sure you are not getting O2 pick-up through worn seals.

Make sure any sample taps, side legs, etc. are all firmly off as these can draw in air even if they're not leaking beer out.

If you have an agitator in a bodyfeed tank, check it isn't running too fast and pulling air in.

Check that you don't have any low pressure zones, eg. pumps that are pulling too quickly as this can draw air in without you seeing beer leaks.

Buy a DO2 meter