Filtration with diatomite suspensions in the beverage industry 

In the filtering process of beer, wine, fruit juices and other beverages, diaphragm metering pumps are used for metering filter aids in the fluid. The pumps are in continuous operation and all installations must conform to strict hygiene standards.

With LEWA ecodos or LEWA ecodos sanitary/hygienic pumps, kieselguhr suspensions are metered during precoat filtration to separate undesirable substances from the fluid.

Solutions

For metering filter aids during filtration, the LEWA ecodos sanitary/hygienic design is an optimum solution, because it is designed for handling diatomite suspensions.

  • LEWA ecodos sanitary/hygienic without a stuffing box has a surface quality of 0.5 µm and is suitable for continuous operation
  • Valves are of the SA design with valve seat inserts made of VA 80 and equipped with dairy pipe connections
  • Hermetic seal of the pump prevents contamination of the product
  • Patented 4-fold safety diaphragm made of PTFE, diaphragm and seal are FDA-compliant
  • During the filtration process, the pump continuously pushes the liquid with the diatomite suspension through, so that the filter cake remains porous at the filter plates
  • Extremely small dead space makes it easy to clean the entire pump and provides for sterility of the product
  • Cleanable with CIP/SIP

Background

How are filter aids metered in the beverage industry?

Before the bottling, beverages like beer, wine or fruit juices have to be filtered, which means, undesired solids have to be separated from the fluid. For successful filtration, a filter aid is needed. An example for such a filter aid is kieselguhr, which filters out yeast and protein components of high molecular weight.

The filtration process begins with a precoating of the filter plates. A consistently distributed kieselguhr suspension is metered into a water flow or directly into the product. From then, kieselguhr has to be added constantly, so that the filter cake remains porous. Because of the added filter aid, the filter cake grows continuously and increases the filter depth. If enough kieselguhr is dosed, the lifetime of the filter can be optimized.

Contact Person

Find the right product series by using the navigator.

Pump-Navigator

Don't miss any news. Subscribe to our newsletter.

Register now