Application and development of aseptic filtration technology in beer brewing

As we all know, the cooked beer we drink daily is pasteurized, but after pasteurization, the beer loses its fresh taste. Therefore, consumers prefer to drink pure draft beer that tastes fresh, clear and transparent, and this tendency is becoming more and more obvious.

The rise of aseptic filtration technology

Although pasteurization can ensure the safety of beer, it will lose its fresh taste. In order to meet consumers’ demand for fresh, clear, and transparent beer, aseptic filtration technology has gradually become an important process for beer brewing. However, traditional diatomaceous earth and cardboard fine filtration methods make it difficult to meet aseptic requirements and have poor biological stability. It was not until the 1960s that the international community began to use cellulose acetate membrane filtration technology. Although the effect is good, the production capacity is small and the cost is high, so it has not been widely used.

The development of aseptic filtration technology

In the 1980s, some European and American countries began to use nylon 66 to make membrane filter elements for beer filtration and sterilization, which basically met the requirements, but the filtration cost was high. In the late 1980s, many countries have developed membrane filter elements or filter elements of various forms and functions. Combined with online membrane integrity detection methods, aseptic filtration has become possible, and the application of aseptic filtration technology has become more and more extensive.

Classification of aseptic filtration systems

Membrane filtration mainly includes three types: component filter, deep candle diatomaceous earth filter, and large-area filter element.

① Component filter: easy to operate, with dual functions of mechanical filtration and electrostatic adsorption, suitable for pre-filtration of aseptic filtration. The filter element material is diverse and can be selected according to needs.

② Deep candle diatomaceous earth filter: The filter element is made of multi-layer materials and has deep filtration function, which is suitable for the last process of aseptic filtration.

③ Large-area filter element: It has a two-stage filtration effect, small pressure difference, large flow rate, long life, and high economic value.

It should be noted that membrane filters are generally only used as the last stage of filtration to give full play to the advantages of their filtration area.

The application of aseptic filtration technology in beer brewing not only improves the taste and quality of beer but also meets consumers’ demand for fresh and healthy drinks. With the continuous development and innovation of filtration technology, the application of aseptic filtration technology in the beer industry will become more extensive, making greater contributions to the prosperity of my country’s beer industry.