Investigations Into the Fouling by Beer Solids on Crossflow Microfiltration Membranes. Vol. 3: Six Monthly Report. 6 Months Report: April 1998.

This report is a summary of the first 6 months work on the Eng.D programme and it includes a detailed introduction to crossflow filtration. This examines the literature in the field and discusses the varying parameters influencing the technology. Those covered specifically are membrane, process fluid and operating parameter effects. These are all discussed with reference to the separation of fluid particulate/macromolecule systems in Crossflow Microfiltration. A detailed review of the existing studies on the crossflow filtration specifically of beer is also included and two of the main considerations of the technology, beer stability and possible filter foulants, are covered in detail. The initial experimental programme for the project is outlined and the experimental results to date are summarised. These results show that for post-centrifuged lager-type beer its filtration characteristics remain similar for up to 9 days. After this period the beer becomes easier to filter. It is suggested that this may be due to the agglomeration/reaction of the smaller particles present in the beer to alter particle size distribution and hence change the mechanism of fouling. The stirred cell that was used for the filtration studies has been confirmed as an effective tool for studying filtration characteristics of beers but ineffective, for the given system, in representing crossflow filtration. Suggested future work for the project include the development of a parallel crossflow filtration rig. This will enable simultaneous visualisation and flux decay studies. The information obtained from these studies can then be used to understand the mechanism by which crossflow filters foul with beer solids. No specific environmental aspects of the work have begun. However, application of tools such as Life Cycle Assessment to verify the environmental advantages of crossflow filtration in the beer industry are discussed briefly