Review of hypotheses for fouling during beer clarification using membranes

• Published in: Journal of membrane science Vol. 396; pp. 22 - 31
• Main Authors: van der Sman, R.G.M., Vollebregt, H.M., Mepschen, A., Noordman, T.R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.04.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: artificial membranes; Beer; beers; beta-glucans; broths; ceramic membranes; Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; colloidal suspensions; cross-flow microfiltration; Exact sciences and technology; Fouling; General and physical chemistry; governing permeate flux; mathematical models; Membranes; Microfiltration; Porous materials; pressure-driven flow; protein rejection; self-diffusion; transmembrane pressure; Microfiltration; Fouling; Beer; Experimental data; Filtration; Similarity; Review; Mechanism; Optimization; Membrane separation; Pore size; Morphology; Membrane; Mathematical model
• ISSN: 0376-7388; 1873-3123
• DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2011.12.051

► Fouling hypotheses of beer microfiltration are reviewed. ► Fouling models are formulated and compared to experimental data. ► Model based control of beer microfiltration is now possible. Hypotheses concerning the fouling of membranes during beer clarification via crossflow microfiltration are reviewed. Beer has been classified into three groups of components, each having a different kind of fouling mechanisms – but also having interactions with other modes of fouling. The membrane fouling also strongly depends on the characteristics of the membrane. An optimal pore diameter and membrane morphology can be identified. The various hypotheses have been formulated in terms of mathematical models, which are tested using experimental data of dead-end filtration of beer. This comparison shows that our hypotheses are quite likely to be valid, and form a good basis for further model-based exploration of the optimization of the beer clarification process. Due to the similarity of beer with biotechnological broths, the presented fouling hypotheses extend beyond the original application of beer microfiltration.