When to change a filter cartridge: differential pressure and service life
When to change a filter cartridge based on differential pressure: what ΔP measures, clean and change-out ΔP, warning signs, and how to log it batch by batch.
Industries
Food and beverage filtration
Product water, syrups, beer, soft drinks, and juices: microbial stabilization before the filler and clarification at every stage, with cartridges and housings made in Argentina.
What is filtered and why
In a beverage line, filtration does two jobs: clarifying—removing particles, colloids, and turbidity—and stabilizing—retaining the yeasts and bacteria that spoil the product before it is packaged. Each one calls for a different medium, and the economics of the process depend on how the load is split between stages.
F&B membrane cartridges (LifePure and UltraPure) are designed for microbial stabilization before the filler: they withstand hot water sanitization at 80 °C and chemical sanitization, as well as steam-in-place sterilization, which allows them to be reused. Upstream, ProFlow, MicroFiber, and PreFiber handle clarification and protect the final membrane.
Stabilization before filling
PES and nylon membranes of 0.45 and 0.65 µm with stated retention of Serratia marcescens and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (> 10⁷/cm²).
Sanitization and reuse
Cycles of hot water at 80 °C, cleaning chemicals, and steam-in-place, according to each model's catalog.
Food-grade materials
Materials compliant with FDA 21 CFR 177 for food contact and migration testing under the Argentine Food Code (Código Alimentario Argentino).
Sanitary housings
SaniFlow STE-01 and STE-X in AISI 304 with a ≤ 0.8 µm Ra finish; the STE-01 declares compliance with 3-A standards.
Stage by stage
The process and the product for each stage
Product and process water
Water prefiltration and reverse osmosis pretreatment with pleated polypropylene; high-flow and multi-cartridge housings.
Clarification and prefiltration
Pleated polypropylene and glass microfiber to reduce turbidity and colloids; hybrid prefilters that protect the final membrane.
Microbial stabilization before the filler
Final PES or nylon membranes for bottled water, soft drinks, beer, and unpasteurized alcoholic beverages.
Beer and yeast-containing beverages
A 0.65 µm PES membrane (LifePure W) and a graded 0.45 and 0.65 µm version for bioburden and yeasts. For pasteurized beer, a 5 µm ProFlow pleated polypropylene trap filter.
Syrups and ingredients
Filtration of syrups, colorings, and flavorings, with AISI 316L housings for one double-open-end (DOE) cartridge.
Compressed air and tank venting
A 0.2 µm hydrophobic PTFE membrane for process air in contact with the product, packaging points, and venting of storage tanks and fermenters.
Housings
Single-cartridge or multi-element, in AISI 304 or 316L, with clamp, DIN 11851, and other connections depending on the code, and for one or three 7″ filter bags.
Frequently asked questions
Food and beverage: common questions
What pore size is used to stabilize a beverage?
It depends on the product and on what needs to be retained. As a reference, the final membrane catalogs state retention greater than 10⁷/cm² of Serratia marcescens at 0.45 µm and of Saccharomyces cerevisiae at 0.65 µm. We can help you define it with data from your line.
Can membrane cartridges be reused?
Yes. The beverage models withstand repeated sanitization cycles with hot water at 80 °C and with cleaning and disinfecting chemicals, as well as steam-in-place sterilization. The number of cycles depends on the process and on the integrity testing performed by the plant.
Which housing suits a beverage line?
For low and medium flow rates, the SaniFlow STE-01 (single cartridge, AISI 304). For higher flow rates, the multi-element STE-X, from 3 to 36 cartridges. For high-flow process water, the SaniFlow HF with High Flow cartridges.
Technical blog
Articles for food and beverage
AISI 304 vs. 316L stainless steel in sanitary equipment: differences and when to use each
AISI 304 vs. 316L stainless steel in sanitary equipment: molybdenum, carbon and welding, chlorides, passivation, Ra finish, and when to use each one.
Filter cartridge integrity test: bubble point and diffusive flow
How a filter integrity test works on a cartridge: bubble point, diffusive flow, and pressure hold, how to wet the membrane, and when to run the test.
Talk to engineering
Shall we design the filtration train for your plant?
Tell us the fluid, the flow rate and the operating conditions. We reply with the model, the ordering code and the technical documentation.