Lesson 8 - Clarification – Filtration
This lesson discusses the process of beer clarification via filtration. The filtration process primarily removes suspended particles from the matured beer to produce a clear stabilised beer that is ready for packaging. This lesson also discusses the importance of this process, the different filtration technologies available to the brewer, and the impact of filtration on final beer quality.
Filtration Technology
Before we explore the technology available to the brewer, we should consider where a filter is located within a typical process set-up in the brewery. A filter is positioned between the maturation and BBT/FPT, with a number of process addition points both pre- and post- filter.
Figure: Example of a filtration process flow
As we mentioned earlier in this lesson, there are two basic types of filtration system – depth and surface. We will discuss both of these within this lesson. The figure below divides filter types according to their principal filtration mechanisms.
Figure: Overview of the typical filtration technologies available
Earlier in this lesson, we explored depth filtration in great ‘depth’! Let us now consider the various filtration technologies that make use of this filtration method.
First, let us explore the various technology options for depth filtration: