New filter pros and cons

[NYSBrewer]

I am looking to purchase a new filter. I am, or was currently using a 3 sq M Della Toffla DE filter. I am operating a 7bbl brewpub, with 3 7bbl tanks and two 14bbl tanks for double batching. I have, and plan on filtering up to 3 batches a day, 21-28bbls. I was thinking about maybe going with a plate and frame filter instead of the DE. Are there any pros, and or cons with these filters? Can they be compared to a DE filter? What do we think is better/easier/cheaper?

[beertje46]

The cost to filter with DE/Perlite is lower than using sheets. A 3 meter DE filter is more than adequate for multiple 7 bbl. batches. The learning curve of a DE filter is higher but sounds as if you are over the hump.

[NYSBrewer]

Thats what I thought, but wanted to be sure. The problem am having is the filter I was using was over 10 years old. The pump seal blew the other day, started spraying beer everywhere. I took it off the mount and took it to a local pump repair shop. They took it apart, called me and said the pump was shot. Also said it was obsolete, they couldnt find parts for it, and the pump itself was not even produced anymore. They are looking for a replacement, but they say I will have to replumb the flter, they cant find one that will fit. The boss says I should shop around for a new one. Any idea how much a new filter will cost? I have found a used one, for a reasonable price, but if I have the green light for a new one, I may go that direction.

[beertje46]

Spadoni 3 meter on NABS (http://www.nabrewing.com/filtration/0322073sqmDEfilter.shtml)

[NYSBrewer]

anyone got any links to a new filter??

[beertje46]

Scott Laboratories (http://www.scottlaboratories.com/products/equipment/filtration.asp)

GW Kent (http://breweryparts.com/category.asp?category_id=59&market_id=2)

Della Toffola (http://www.dellatoffola.it/prodotti/alimentare/macchinari-per-birra/filtrazione/filtri-con-scarico-manuale)

[peterulrich]

Hello NYS Brewer,
You can also try the Ecoflux Smartline filter from the Pall Filtration Comp. (www.pall.com).
This filter has been specially designed for small breweries.

They have 2 versions the SL1 and the SL2.
The SL1 filters with up to 4bbl/h (5 hl/h), and the SL2 with up to 8 bbl/h.(10 hl/h).

This is a DE filter system combined with a certain type of pre clarification cartridge.
You'll get excellent results (up to 0 yeast cells at filter outlet is possible).
This filter is economical (water usage, time consumption.) and it is competitively priced.
The filter is designed for low O2 uptake!!

Prost,
Peter
Old Harbor, PR.
P.S. usually you would always DE filter your beer first (or use another method to get the yeast out of the beer), and then you can go through a sheet filter. (Unless you have a very clean beer coming form your lager/aging cellar). (E.g. cell count < 0.2 mio cells/ml).

A plate and frame filter is an older style of DE filter.

[beertje46]

Hello NYS Brewer,
You can also try the Ecoflux Smartline filter from the Pall Filtration Comp. (www.pall.com).
This filter has been specially designed for small breweries.

They have 2 versions the SL1 and the SL2.
The SL1 filters with up to 4bbl/h (5 hl/h), and the SL2 with up to 8 bbl/h.(10 hl/h).

This is a DE filter system combined with a certain type of pre clarification cartridge.
You'll get excellent results (up to 0 yeast cells at filter outlet is possible).
This filter is economical (water usage, time consumption.) and it is competitively priced.
The filter is designed for low O2 uptake!!

Prost,
Peter
Old Harbor, PR.
P.S. usually you would always DE filter your beer first (or use another method to get the yeast out of the beer), and then you can go through a sheet filter. (Unless you have a very clean beer coming form your lager/aging cellar). (E.g. cell count < 0.2 mio cells/ml)..

A Pall filter cartridge is not a viable alternative to DE or to a plate and frame sheet filter. If a brewpubs' beer is clear enough to send thru a Pall cart. filter it doesn't need filtration.
A plate and frame filter is an older style of DE filter. Only if you install DE impregnated sheets.

Personally, I wouldn't filter beer in a seven barrel brewpub environment unless Iabsofuckinglutly necessary. With proper technique from milling forward, filteration should not be required unless you need beer faster then ten days.

My 25 cents campers.

[BelgianBrewer]

I would stick with the DE filter and not go to a plate and frame, especially if you know how to filter with a DE.
Better and cheaper (in operation at least, not initial investment ;) )

BelgianBrewer
www.sbmbrew.com

[Larry Horwitz]

pm me and I'll give you the name an number of a motor / pump shop that can rebuild your old one...It is almost unheard of for a pump / motor assembly to not be rebuildable. You ought to be able to get your old filter going again without too much trouble.

[Bob Tyler]

NYS brewer,
Look into lenticular filters. "enclosed sheets filters" These are great for small brewpubs /smaller Micros. Easy to use and the best part extremly low beer hold up volumes.

Benefits of using Lenticular fitlers:
No DE handling / DE disposale
Much lower beer loss then DE filters
No pre coating
Lower investment cost.
Can use many different grades of filter media
Smaller foot print.
Can c02 to push beer through filter.
No pumps to break down...

Down side of Lenticular filters
They can be slower then DE filters.

Some Lenticluar filters can be backflushed and reused several times.


Cheers,
Bob