Distillers Improve Quality While ReducingOperating Costs with SUPRApak™ Technology

OverviewFiltration of spirits can be a challenging task. It isessential to remove contaminants that may causeturbidity while retaining the quality enhancingcomponents in the product. Filter sheets are thetraditional method for achieving this delicatebalance. Sheets are comprised of a unique matrixof materials that provide an excellent combinationof adsorption and depth filtration, making them an ideal solution for turbidity reduction and hazeremoval in spirits.

Filter sheets are available in multiple grades tocover a wide range of applications from filtration ofcordials to chill haze reduction in brown spirits toparticle removal in white spirits. Additionally manyplate and frame filter units have the flexibility toadd or remove sheets to suit the batch size, flowrate or the specific product to be filtered.

While effective, filter sheets in a plate and frameassembly do have disadvantages. With multiple flatsheets configured in parallel, installation andassembly is labor intensive and with sealingdependant on the operator and equipmentmaintenance, edge leakage is common resulting inproduct loss and unsanitary conditions. Additionally,the installation is an open system resulting inalcohol exposure to the surrounding environment.In many regions a ventilation system is required tominimize the release of volatile organic compounds.

The Challenge

In recent years, with mergers and acquisitions andglobalization of brands, distilleries are underincreasing pressure to improve quality and reducecosts while satisfying more stringent regulatoryrequirements. They require filtration techniques that are easy to use and require less labor andmaintenance while providing similar filtrationcharacteristics and flexibility as sheet filters.Additionally with aging equipment and expansionprojects on the rise, new equipment must addresslimited floor space availability. Finally, documentationor certification of the filtration equipment is criticalto ensure compliance to local regulations andHACCP programs.

The Solution

To overcome some of the drawbacks associatedwith traditional sheet filters, Pall developedSUPRApak technology. SUPRApak modules areconstructed using the same depth filter media asthe classical filter sheets, however, the media isconfigured into a modular format that fits easilyinto an enclosed housing for safe, simple andhygienic operation.

Unlike typical lenticular modules, SUPRApakmodules have an entirely different design and flowconfiguration that maximizes the surface, depthand adsorption mechanisms of filtration thatnormally occur in sheet media. A module consistsof filter sheet material wrapped around a centralpermeable core with external straps that attach thesheet material to the core. The sheet material ispunched with an intricate pattern of feed andfiltrate channels, which direct the fluid flow throughthe module. The unfiltered fluid enters the modulefrom the outside through feed channels. Thedriving force of differential pressure pushes thefluid flow through the sheet media in a directionparallel to the filter sheet surface toward the filtratechannels. The filtrate channels then carry the fluidtoward the center core where it exits the module.See Figure 1 (next page) for a schematic of theflow configuration.

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SUPRApak’s unique flow configuration typicallyresults in higher throughput performance andimproved filtrate quality when compared to flatsheets in a plate and frame format. A whiskydistillery was recently having problems with highchill haze resulting in the need to double sheet filtereach batch. With SUPRApak technology, thecustomer was able to meet the requirements witha single filtration pass. As a result they significantly

reduced their annual filter spend by 27% and cuttheir batch time from 16 hours to 8 hours. Whencombined with a 75% reduction in labor for blowdown and change-out and the elimination of driplosses, the housing payback was a short 6 months.Moreover, by reducing the batch time they nowhave the capability to increase their total capacity.

The high packing density and modular design ofthe SUPRApak modules allow for extremely highsurface area in a compact footprint. Up to sixmodules can be stacked together in a singlehousing for up to 85% reduction in space whencompared to the horizontal chassis design of most flat sheet filter assemblies. (See Figure 2)Additionally, with minimal components andreplacement parts, when comparing equal filterarea, the simple SUPRApak housing set up carriesa significantly lower initial investment cost. Forexample, a tequila packager using 2 SUPRApakhousings to meet their flow requirements, was ableto reduce their capital spend by 60% compared to their budget for a new plate and frame unit. Inaddition to the drip loss savings and reducedrelease of volatile organic compounds, they will nowalso have extra floor space for future expansion.

Figure 1: SUPRApak flow configuration

Figure 2: SUPRApak housing holds up to 6 modules.

Perforated channels allowmaximum usage of filter area

Densely packed sheet material iswrapped around a permeable core

The Benefits

With SUPRApak modules, distilleries can achievecost effective and quality enhancing filtration forapplications from turbidity reduction to chill hazeremoval. When using these modules to replacetraditional flat sheet filters, distillers can realize thefollowing benefits:

• Increased process security due to the encloseddesign

• Elimination of drip losses for increased productyield

• Improved filtrate quality when directly comparedto flat sheet filtration

• Reduced operating costs with a short return oninvestment (e.g. 6 months)

• Compact filter design for up to 85% reducedfloor space requirement

• Up to 60% reduced capital investment comparedto a new plate and frame assembly

• Up to 75% reduced labor for blow-down andchange-out

• Decreased downtime due to the high packingdensity, unique flow configuration, and shortchange-out times

• Minimal spare parts and maintenance

About Pall Corporation

Pall Corporation is the largest and most diversefiltration, separation, and purification company inthe world. Pall serves the food and beverageindustries with advanced membrane filtrationtechnology and systems engineered for reliabilityand cost-effectiveness. Easy to install and simple to use, our systems satisfy a wide range of filtration requirements.

Our Total Fluid ManagementSM (TFM) approachoffers customers solutions to address the needs of an entire process, encompassing filtrationproducts, services, systems and training.

Pall Food and Beverage

25 Harbor Park DrivePort Washington, NY 11050 +1 516 484 3600 telephone+1 866 905 7255 toll free US

foodandbeverage@pall.com

© Copyright 2011, Pall Corporation. Pall, and SUPRAdisc are trademarks of Pall Corporation. ® Indicates a trademark registered in the USA. Filtration. Separation. Solution.SM and Total Fluid ManagementSM are service marks of Pall Corporation.

FBABDSSPEN April 2011

Visit us on the Web at www.pall.com/foodandbev

Pall Corporation has offices and plants throughout the world. For Pall representativesin your area, please go to www.pall.com/contact

Please contact Pall Corporation to verify that the product conforms to your nationallegislation and/or regional regulatory requirements for water and food contact use.

Because of technological developments related to the products, systems, and/orservices described herein, the data and procedures are subject to change without notice.Please consult your Pall representative or visit www.pall.com to verify that thisinformation remains valid.