MFS-30C4X4 : Microfiltration station 4 stages per 4 x 30/3″ candle (4-4-4-4-2) / 1000 liters per hour

Four-stage microfiltration station for the final filtration of beer, cider or other similar beverages with the filtering capacity approximaly 1000 liters per hour. The filter consists of three-stage product pre-filter, one final membrane filter and the water microfilter for the back-flash the prefiltering elements with sterile water. Each stage of the filter consists of four paralel 30/3″ mechanical filter housings which are designed for the 30″ mechanical candle elements of SOE2-226 Code 7 type. Price of the filter does not include the filter elements.

We recommend to equippe the microfiltration station with the following filter elements :

• 4x Pre-filter : 3.0 µm (30/3″ mechanical filter element / SOE2-226 / Code 7)
• 4x Pre-filter : 1.0 µm (30/3″ mechanical filter element / SOE2-226 / Code 7)
• 4x Pre-filter : 0.3 µm (30/3″ mechanical filter element / SOE2-226 / Code 7)
• 4x Membrane filter : 0.45 µm (30/3″ mechanical membran filter element / SOE2-226 / Code 7)
• 2x Water filters : 1.0 µm + 0.2 µm (30/3″ mechanical filter element / SOE2-226 / Code 7)

Technical description :

The microfiltration unit is used for filtering beverages, thereby extending their shelf life. The MFS-30C4X4 microfiltration unit consists of four filtration stages connected in series, where each stage contains housings for four filter elements. Additionally, the unit is equipped with two extra filters for treating water used for backwashing the filter elements. As filter elements, it is possible to use 30/3″ cartridges or membranes with SOE2-226 connection. Each filtration stage has its own inlet and outlet piping for the filtered product, drain outlet, backwash water inlet, gas inlet and air vent valve.

The transport of the filtered product is ensured by pressure difference before and after the filter (Version B) or with a pump controlled by a frequency converter (Versions P and A).

The human operator can monitor pressure drops between each filtration stage using installed pressure gauges.

The entire unit is made of stainless steel AISI 304 and is mounted on a mobile frame. The manufacturer and type of filter elements are customized for each project according to specific
requirements. The type of piping connection can be adapted, for example, to dairy couplings DIN11851, clamp DIN32676, thread couplings etc.

Technical Parameters:

• Number of product filter elements: 16
• Number of water filter elements: 2
• Type of filter element housing: SOE2-226
• Filter element length / diameter: 30/3″

Piping Connections:

• Product inlet: DN40 DIN 32676 or DIN 11851 (but pipes DN32)
• Product outlet: DN40 DIN 32676 or DIN 11851 (but pipes DN32)
• Drain outlet: DN40 DIN 32676 or DIN 11851 (but pipes DN32)
• Water inlet: DN40 DIN 32676 or DIN 11851 (but pipes DN32)
• Filtered water outlet: DN40 DIN 32676 or DIN 11851 (but pipes DN32)
• N₂ / CO₂ inlet: G 1/2″ (BSPP)
• Venting: G 1/2″ (BSPP)

Dimensions:

• Width: 1,600 mm
• Height: 1,600 mm
• Depth: 1,000 mm
• Weight: 360 kg

Electrical Connections:

• 3-phase plug: 400 V / 50 Hz / 16 A
• Pump: Ebara CD 70/07 0.55 kW

(Valid only for the P/A versions)

Technological scheme :

Optional equipment :

Delivery period :

Delivery time is usualy 17-20 weeks + 1 week transport (B / P versions).
Delivery time is 20-23 weeks + 1 week transport (A version).

Important information and conditions :

The flow rate of 1,000 l/h through 3 30″ 0.45 μm membrane filter elements is guaranteed, but only at the beginning of filtration and only under certain conditions.

Conditions that must applied:

Input beverage must be pre-filtered (must not be cloudy). Recommended level of pre-filtration is 2.5-1.5 μm. Inlet pressure approx. 2–3 bar. Filter elements are new / clean. Beverage temperature must ideally be between 5–20 °C (viscosity plays a big role).

What determines the filtering performance:

The more cloudy the beverage, the faster the flow rate will drop. Porosity of 0.45 μm is already very fine filtration, so the clogging of the filter element with captured sludge is faster than with a filter element of, for example, 1.5 μm.

Real operating values:

Start of filtration: 1,200–1,800 l/h (short-term)
Stable operation: ~800–1,200 l/h
Before the end of the cycle: 400–700 l/h

Instructions : How will the membrane elements be cleaned if they are not allowed to be back-flushed?

PES membranes of 0.45 μm must not be back-flushed
The pressure in the opposite direction would damage the membrane structure.
Membranes are cleaned by forward flush + chemical cleaning using an external CIP station (we can offer).

Recommended cleaning procedure:

1. Forward flush with water – short flush in the direction of filtration washes away loose particles from the membrane surface
2. CIP circulation (20-40 minutes)
3. Alkaline agent (e.g. NaOH 0.5-1%), or enzymatic cleaners (for proteins, yeast)
4. Rinse with water to neutral pH
5. Sanitation before operation – peracetic acid, steam or hot water

Caution: Membrane flow rate is not restored to 100% with cleaning and sanitation, but usually to 70-90% of the original
performance.

The service life of the membrane is typically 1-3 seasons, depending on the quality of CIP cleaning, frequency of use and
the accumulated amount of captured material.
If you want very extend service life of the 0.45 μm membrane filtration element then the best way is use of the 0.45 μm prefiltration
element in previous step of the filter cascade. The 0.45 μm pre-filtration element removes up to 99% particles
bigger than 0.45 μm and only 1% of the particles goes trouugh it to be captured then with the membrane element.