Do You Know the Filter Processing in Wine Industry?

In the wine production process, the wine filtration process plays an important role in the taste, color and sterility of the wine, and is an indispensable process in the wine production process. The filtration process of wine mainly includes activated carbon filtration process, polishing filtration process, sterile water filtration process, compressed air/vent/gas filtration process, wine pre-filtration process, mobile/stationary bottling final filtration process and steam filtration process.

1. Activated Carbon Filtration Process

The water source of winery is generally municipal water or well water, so an activated carbon filter system is usually installed at the water inlet. Its purpose is mainly to absorb chlorine and suspended substances in the water, improve water quality, and enhance the taste of wine. The equipment of the activated carbon filtration system generally chooses Stainless Steel Cartridge Filter Housings, and the filter consumables usually choose Carbon Impregnated Cellulose Cartridges.

2. Polishing Filtration Process

After activated carbon filter system, a polishing filter system is generally installed to remove larger particles in the water. Its function is to reduce the possibility of equipment failure and product contamination, and to extend the service life of the terminal filter system. The equipment of the polishing filter system generally uses Stainless Steel Cartridge Filter Housings, and the filter consumables usually use Melt Blown Cartridges or High Flow Pleated Filters.

3. Sterile Water Filtration Process

The sterile water produced by the sterile water filtration system is mainly used to rinse the bottle before filling and stoppering, remove microorganisms, and improve the sterility of the final product. Generally, a pre-filtration system composed of High Flow Pleated Cartridges with 1 micron and Stainless Steel Cartridge Filter Housings will be installed to reduce the clogging of the sterile water filtration system by particles. The equipment of the filtration system usually uses Sanitary SUS316 Cartridge Filter Housings and the filtration consumables are adopted Hydrophilic PES Membrane Pleated Filters with 0.2 micron.

4. Compressed Air/Vent/Gas Filtration Process

The compressed air filtration process is mainly to provide power for the pneumatic tools of the filling line and prevent equipment failure. The gas filtration process is mainly to prevent wine oxidation. The purpose of the exhaust filtration process is mainly to prevent pollutants in the air from entering the storage tank and causing product pollution. The equipment for compressed air, exhaust, and gas filtration systems generally use Sanitary SUS316 Cartridge Filter Housings, and filter consumables generally use Hydrophobic PTFE Membrane Pleated Filters with 0.2 micron.

5. Wine Pre-filtration Process

The purpose of the wine pre-filtration is to remove particles, colloids, yeast, bacteria and other microorganisms in the wine, protect the flavor of wine and prolong the service life of the terminal filtration system before filling. Sanitary SUS316 Cartridge Filter Housings are generally used for the equipment of the wine pre-filtration system, and the filtering consumables are generally adopted Polypropylene Pleated Filters with 1 micron.

6. Mobile/Stationary Bottling Final Filtration Process

In the production process of wine, whether it is mobile or fixed before filling, it is necessary to install a terminal filter system for the final protective filter of the wine. The main purpose of the filling terminal filtration process is to remove microorganisms such as yeast, acetic acid bacteria and lactic acid bacteria in the wine, and prevent the wine from deteriorating, turbid and producing peculiar smell after bottling. The equipment of the filtration system generally uses Sanitary SUS316 Cartridge Filter Housings, and the filtration consumables usually use Hydrophilic PES Membrane Pleated Filters with 0.45 or 0.65 micron.

7. Steam Filtration Process

In the production process of wine, the steam filtration process is mainly to provide clean steam to the SIP and CIP systems, which can not only be used for the cleaning and disinfection of production equipment and system pipes, but also reduce the wear and tear of the equipment during operation and extend its service life.

In the wine production process, the filtration process of wineries of different scales and different grape varieties will be different. Therefore, when designing a wine filtration system, suitable filters and filter consumables should be selected according to specific production requirements and hygienic standards.