Donaldson's solutions for the process filtration of liquids, steam and sterile air are widely used in the production of soft drinks, for example juice, water and carbonated beverages. Filtration reduces the risk of product contamination throughout the entire production process. It is used to remove contaminant particles from the finished product or its ingredients. Sterile air is used for blowing out bottles or venting storage tanks, and hot steam is used to sterilize filter elements and equipment.
Liquid
The type of filtration is chosen depending on the application and the water-purity requirements. In any case, particles larger than 250 microns, for example grains of sand, must be removed from the water. In many cases, additional filtration is also required, especially when the water is used as part of the product.
Assemblies of several filter housings and filter elements are often used. First the water passes through coarse filters, and at the points of use — through fine filters. At the final filtration stage, a sterile filter can also be used, retaining the tiniest living microorganisms, for example bacteria 0.2 microns in size or larger.
Air and gases
Air and other gases are used at several points of the beverage-production process. They are used for blowing out bottles, creating an aseptic environment, venting tanks while maintaining product sterility (when emptying or filling tanks), as well as for supplying sterile nitrogen or carbon dioxide.
When using compressed air and gases, it is mandatory to remove contaminants such as oil, moisture and solid particles from them. The degree of filtration is chosen taking into account the features of the processes, the existing certificates and their requirements. Gases often come into contact with the finished product or the container, so it is important to ensure their sterile filtration to remove all bacteria.
It is also necessary to ensure the sterility of the tanks for finished products and soft-drink ingredients. In some cases, inert gases, most often nitrogen, are used to maintain overpressure in the tanks. Deposits can accumulate or rust can be present in the nitrogen supply line to the tank, so a filter to remove such contaminants should be installed before the tank. Vent valves can also be used together with the overpressure system.
These valves with a filter, located at the top of the tank, are used to supply sterile air to the tanks of finished products and ingredients. Vent valves ensure the supply and release of air from the tank as it is emptied or filled. The filter element in the valve removes dust and other contaminants that may be present in the ambient air.
Steam
Hot steam is usually used for sterilization. To prevent the growth of bacteria in the filter material, it is necessary to ensure regular sterilization of the sterile filter elements for liquids and gases. Most often, the sterilization of filter elements is carried out with hot steam.
Due to the high temperature, steam usually does not contain bacteria, but contaminants such as rust and deposits are often found in it. If the steam is not cleaned, there is a risk of contaminating the process or the final product with such particles.
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Filtration solutions for soft drinks
Our solutions for the process filtration of liquids, steam and sterile air are widely used in the production of soft drinks, for example juice, water and carbonated beverages.
To ensure high product quality and protect brand reputation, it is important to arrange the filtration of liquids, steam and sterile air. Contact us for information about Donaldson solutions. We offer a wide range of constantly available products and components for filtration throughout the entire technological process, from the compressor to the end points of use and fine process filtration. We guarantee the high reliability of the products, based on extensive experience in this industry, and also provide customer-support services worldwide.
