Can cross-flow filtration be used in the wine industry? If this is your doubt, read this article to find out more
A cross-flow filter is a type of filter used in wine production to remove suspended solid particles from wine.
The operation of cross-flow filters consists of passing the wine through a membrane with known, but not absolute porosity in order to remove its lees, solid parts or others that cause simple opalescence.
Specifically, this type of filter works by recirculating the wine over the membranes, causing part of this flow to exit, tangent to the flow itself. Solid particles larger than the pore size remain trapped in the side of the wine to be treated (called retentate) while the filtered wine (called permeate) can freely pass through the pores.
Filter membranes can be made of ceramic or organic material such as polypropylene (PP), polyester (PES) or polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF).
As for its format, it can take the form of:
– disc
– cylinder
– spiral
The advantages of cross-flow filtration are:
1. Continuous processing
2. High efficiency
3. Complete automation
4. Elimination of filtration aids
With cross-flow filtration, the flow of wine moves parallel to the filter, tangentially, rather than directly over it. The cross-flow allows the tangential ‘permeation’ of the liquid fraction.
The retained, retentate material is recirculated in the feed tank and will continue to circulate through the filter as long as the process is running. This mechanism, together with a backwash process, ensures the greatest efficiency and flexibility in cellar production.
Furthermore, as the machine does not require direct operator assistance during operation, it can be equipped with automation that allows it to work 24 hours a day. This option alone increases its productivity capacity exponentially.
The cross-flow filter is the most valid alternative to vacuum filters and filter presses for the filtration of wines with a high content of suspended solids, while respecting the quality of the product to be extracted. In fact, with the crossflow it is possible to achieve up to 70% concentration of the final residue, without filter aids such as kieselguhr or cellulose.
The effectiveness of this type of filtration offers a level of quality of the filtered product that allows it to be bottled directly, without subsequent steps. Furthermore, no colour reduction or oxygen supply is made to the recovered product.
On the #used topic Buying a used cross-flow filter can offer several advantages and opportunities for any winery that cannot afford the investment for a new filter. It allows wineries to save money and optimise their investments, immediate availability and reduced environmental impact.
Furthermore, thanks to its robust and durable material, even if used it can still have many years of service life if properly serviced before delivery.
It can be modified and customised to meet the specific needs of the winery, e.g. to handle particularly low production volumes, particularly cloudy wines or almost clean sparkling wines.
Opportunity also offers a rental filtration service to cover seasonal or otherwise extraordinary production needs.
Maintenance and repair on used machinery sold is also available, to keep the equipment in perfect condition and extend its life.
For both new and used filters we invite you to contact and our team of experts will be happy to identify the optimal alternative for your wine cellar filtration.
To see the products and services that are currently available we invite you to look at our website
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