using cirtic acid to sanitize plate and frame filter pads

[mike_capaldo]

I am in a situation where hot liquor is not always available where and when i need it. I am hence looking into sterilizing my filter pads with a low level citric acid as opposed to hot liquor.
Has anybody heard of this being done before, or have any idea of possible negative repercussions?

[Guestimate]

Citric acid is not necessarily classified as a sanitizer. However, mixing a solution with a pH of 2.0 to 2.2 will inhibit most things. On a side note, if you are using filter sheets that are impregnated with DE, citric acid is excellent at sequestering iron. Many opinions on this, but a viable option is to circulate your filter with PAA(Peracetic acid), push it out with CO2, and then circulate a citric solution with a pH of 2.0 to 2.2 (to reduce the oxidizing effect of the PAA), and then push the citric out with CO2 prior to running beer.

Kevin

[mike_capaldo]

my pads are 100% celluluse, so no DE present. I do like the suggestion of using PAA then citric recirc. Cheers!