Sterile and Steam filters
Sterile and Steam filters
CLEARPOINT® sterile and steam filter
Industrial applications which require germ-free compressed air are constantly increasing, also under extreme conditions. In addition to the high retention efficiency for bacteria, viruses and other micro-organisms, it is important to achieve high through flow rates at low pressure differences. Even with minimum filter work load, the separation performance must be ensured.
A housing for two filters
In sensitive areas such as the food industry, in dairies and breweries, but also in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, CLEARPOINT sterile filters are a convincing solution: suitable for indirect food contact, usable up to 180 °C (356 °F) and especially durable due to the CLEARPOINT steam filters - each integrated in a high quality stainless steel housing.
Sterile compressed air
The CLEARPOINT sterile filters fulfil all these requirements and are internationally approved for indirect food contact according to FDA CFR Title 21 and 1935/2004/EC. The high-quality flow-optimised stainless steel housing, in combination with the hydrophobic depth medium, ensures maximum process reliability. In order to ensure that the sterile filters remain sterile, they must be sterilised with saturated steam at regular intervals. BEKO TECHNOLOGIES hereby provides CLEARPOINT steam filters as a solution. The sintered stainless steel vapour filter elements utilise the same housing as the sterile filters.
Operating principle
Direct current sterilisation
The safest solution is DC sterilisation with saturated steam. The valves upstream and downstream of the sterile filter are closed and the screw plugs on the head and base of the sterile filter housing are unscrewed. Then the valve between the steam filter and the sterile filter is opened and the steam flows through the sterile filter, thereby killing off the bacteria
Counter-flow sterilisation:
In some cases it makes more sense to utilise counter-flow sterilisation.
The steam hereby flows from the pure side of the sterile filter through the filter housing. For example, when not only the sterile filter, but also the tank behind it should be sterilised.
Cleaning and sterilising with steam
Steam filters increase the service life of filters which have to be sterilised. Contamination such as particles or abrasion from valves and rust are safely and securely retained. Even resistant bacteria such as Bacillus Thermophilus are killed off completely in the sterile filter at 141 °C. The vapour filters in the 1μm version are additionally suitable for culinary steam and therefore also for direct food contact e.g. in the ultra-high heating of milk. The welded filter element end caps enable the user to decide whether the regeneration and cleaning of the vapour filter elements should be executed via reverse flushing or ultrasonic bath.
Advantages of CLEARPOINT® sterile and steam filters
Filter housing
- All components comply with FDA CFR Title 21 & EC/1935/2004
- High quality stainless steel, suitable for food contact
- Connection for condensate drain off and venting valves
Sterile filter element
- Germ-free hygiene
- Complies with cGMP requirements
- High dirt retention capacities at low pressure differences
- Maximum separation performance, as at minimum work load
Steam filter element
- High steam quality extends the service life of the sterile filter
- Can be regenerated via reverse flushing and ultrasound
- High through flow rates with low pressure difference
- Also suitable for culinary steam
