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Surface Finish of Brewing Process Vessels: March 1993
Surface Finish of Brewing Process Vessels: March 1993
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After an exhaustive investigation of the surface residue using EDAX, the cotton
wool swab was found to contain stainless polishing material residue. A series of
solvents was tested on the stainless steel to assess which one would remove the
dark contamination that, by using lnfra Red Spectrum analysis, was found to be
"Plasticizer" from the plastic sheeting used to protect the surface after polishing.
TCE solvent was sprayed through high-pressure jets introduced from the top
manhole and recycled back into tank until the contaminants was removed from
the internal surface of the vessels. After TCE spraying, all vessels were tested by
swabbing internal surfaces and found to be clear of the dark residue and fit for
brewing. Application of TCE must be done by an experienced contractor.
Cotton wool swabs: The following picture shows the swab with the dark residue
on the left and the swab after treating the stainless steel surface with TCE.
EDAX showed the following peaks:
Plasticizers: are usually added to plastics to keep them from becoming brittle at
room temperatures. Dialkyl phthalates are commonly used for this purpose and
in the past decades have become amongst the most widely dispersed of all
environmental pollutants. Phthalate plasticizers have been detected in the fat of
antarctic penguins. (Extract for Synthetic Polymers).
The following photo shows the Plasticizer extracted by TCE from the fermenter.
15 December 2008
SURFACE FINISH OF BREWING
PROCESS VESSELS
Abstract:
The requirement by Brewers to have a surface finish which facilitates the
process, allows for effective cleaning and ensures no contamination of the
product, present important challenges to fabricators of Brewing equipment. The
specification to achieve the required surface and the profiles obtained on
stainless steel and coated finished surfaces after fabrication, are reviewed and
shown with aid of micro-photographs.
Comparisons between coated surfaces (epoxy lined) and stainless steel surtaces
as seen on 28 milled surface, mechanical polishing and electro polishing,
indicate a significant difference between all these surface profiles. The ability to
clean vessels with these different surfaces of soil and bio film depends on the
relative "roughness" of the material and the C I P process used. The most cost
effective system needs to be life cycle costed, taking into consideration initial
capital costs and operational factors to achieve a totally clean surface.
These criteria should also peftain to internal surfaces of pipes and fittings.
Page 2
The method of measurement is based on the surface texture of the material which
result from the marks left by action of the fabrication process - such as grinding
material, rolling mills and spraying process on coated vessels. The primary
texture can be measured by various constants, as for example Ra, which build
up an accurate picture.
The surface measurement most commonly used is the arithmetical average (Ra)t
expressed as:-
Ra: hl+h2+h3 hn
L
where h is the height of the profile above or below the centre line at points at unit
distances apart. L Units = Sampling length.
Electron m hofsu
magnif ications
O Stainless steel
- 2B Milled finish lrregular surface
ication
Polished surface
The polishing of stainless steel leaves a dark residual which is not eliminated
with standard pickling and passivating processes nor by standard brewing CIP
processes. EDAX analysis has detected presence of Al, Si, Cl, Ca, Ti, cr, and Fe
on samples taken from polished stainless steel vessels.
The surface of the vessels has to be tested by swabbing with cotton wool
dampened with surgical spirits or absolute alcohol, noting the discolouration
obtained after rubbing over a 300 x 300mm surface area. lf the cotton wool swab
is darker than colour reference chart-Cloud White (SABS 1091 Colour reference
G8O)3, the surface has to be recleaned.
The use of paper to protect the steel surface is applied in the fabrication of rolled
stainless steel material. This paper, which leaves no contamination on the
stainless steel surface, is recommended, instead of any plastic protective coating.
Page 4
AC KNOWLEDG EM ENTS
R EFER E NC ES