Beer and wine clarification

Publications on clarification of alcoholic drinks like wine and beer deal mainly with the treatment of wine. Advantages of ceramic membranes over classical methods are the reduction of operating costs (reduction of filter aids, less loss of product) and a better clarification. Ceramic membranes last longer and can be back flushed. 

According to Castelas and Serrano [53] microfiltration with pore sizes over 0.4 pm does not influence the wine, whereas pore sizes of 0.25 pm and lower disturb the organoleptic characteristics of the wine. However the complete removal of bacteria can only be achieved by 0.2 pm. Fouling of the membranes (Membralox) with coarser pore sizes, limits fluxes to 40-601/m h, 0.2 pm is less affected and retains a flux of 851/m h. 

Red wines seem to have a stronger tendency to fouling than white wines. Bauer [46] reports a decrease in fluxes from 275 1/m h bar down to 11 1/m h.bar for red wine and down to 1101/m h bar for white wine, using Le Carbone Lorraine membranes. 

Similarly, but less extreme, Horgnies [50], in a very detailed description of commercial systems with Millipore Ceraflo 0.2 pm membranes, finds fluxes of 80-100 1/m h for red wine and 100-120 1/m h for dry white wine. Baur et al. [48] treating wine, rich in colloids, with 3.6 m 0.2 pm Membralox membranes report fluxes around 401/m h. 

Belleville et al. [54] give a full description of the chemical nature of the fouling species. The use of enzymes to enhance the filter ability might also be effective for raising the economy in the application of ceramic membranes [55]. Another means of achieving economical operation could be flux enhancement by the application of pulsating flow as outlined by Jaffrin et al. [56,57]. The simultaneous introduction of pulses, and a rise in circulation velocity from 3 to 4.37 m/s and of the transmembrane pressure from 1 to 4.5 bar, increases the flux from 351/m h to 501/m h. 

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Use Pharmaceuticals blood plasma expander cast films adherent to glass, metals, and plastics com-plexing agent detoxification of chemicals such as dyes, iodine, phenol, and poisonous drugs. Tablet-ing, photographic emulsions, cosmetics (hair sprays, shampoos, hand creams, skin lotions), dentifrices, dye-stripping, textile finishes, protective colloid, detergents, adhesives, beer and wine clarification. 

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