Sterile filter issue

[CasselBrewery]

Hi,

We had a BBT that had a low CFU count so we hooked up our 0.45um code 7 30" membrane filter and we we're able to only package 100 liters then a backflush was needed. As we progress in the packaging we needed to do more backflushing up to a complete stop.

We tried hooking up a 1 micron nominal downstream at the BBT before the 0.45 and it did nothing.

The beer was filtered with a DE.

What I'm I missing?

Thanks!

[brewmaster 2011]

Do you Know if it is DE that is clogging the membrane filter?

[CasselBrewery]

Do you Know if it is DE that is clogging the membrane filter?

Good question! We've been having issues lately with having a 1.0um membrane upstream from the DE after a 1.0um absolute trap filter. Somehow the DE is getting passed the trap filter and clogging the membrane.

[dick murton]

Candle and horizontal leaf filters invariably leak KG. Try a 10um depth filter after the KG filter. You may still need a 1 um before your 0.45 filter, but again, a depth filter will normally give much longer working life. And stick to the recommended flow rates when backflushing a depth filter - typically 15 litres / minute per section of filter cartridge, so if your filter cartridge has 5 x 6 inch sections, then backflow rate is not less than 65 litres / minute per cartridge, ie. if you have 3 cartridges, then the total required backflow rate is 195 litres / minute.

Low backflush flow rate is the main reason small breweries get through depth filter cartridges so fast. Not all membrane cartridges can be backflushed.

If it is not KG blocking the filters, it could be beta glucans, an which case you need to review your mashing and sparging regime.

[CasselBrewery]

Candle and horizontal leaf filters invariably leak KG. Try a 10um depth filter after the KG filter. You may still need a 1 um before your 0.45 filter, but again, a depth filter will normally give much longer working life. And stick to the recommended flow rates when backflushing a depth filter - typically 15 litres / minute per section of filter cartridge, so if your filter cartridge has 5 x 6 inch sections, then backflow rate is not less than 65 litres / minute per cartridge, ie. if you have 3 cartridges, then the total required backflow rate is 195 litres / minute.

Low backflush flow rate is the main reason small breweries get through depth filter cartridges so fast. Not all membrane cartridges can be backflushed.

If it is not KG blocking the filters, it could be beta glucans, an which case you need to review your mashing and sparging regime.

Thanks for your reply!

What is KG? Never heard that acronyme.

Never thought about beta glucans. It would make sense since we have a 1um trap filter which is suppose to capture any DE that escapes. We also have chill haze issue since we are not filtering cold enough maybe that has something to do with it too.

[uptown brothers]

Thanks for your reply!

What is KG? Never heard that acronyme.

Never thought about beta glucans. It would make sense since we have a 1um trap filter which is suppose to capture any DE that escapes. We also have chill haze issue since we are not filtering cold enough maybe that has something to do with it too.

it's German for DE--Kieselguhr I think.