Air quality specification / requirements for air used in fluidisation

Hi everybody,

Does anyone have any guidance they can share on the air quality / specification / requirements for air used in air fluidisers in bulk cereal storage silos?

Air fluidisers can be used to help bulk materials flow when stored in silos eg to prevent rat holing and bridging. In this process, compressed air flows into the material in the silo helping to fluidise it and help it to flow.

I am working with a client who stores bran type materials, from wheat and maize, in bulk silos. These are then used in products without any further processing eg to reduce microbial load.

Does anyone have a view on the air quality and type of filtration required in these types of applications?

One area I am concerned about the risk of mould spores entering the silos with potential further problems from mycotoxin production.

If anyone has more experience on this than me that they can share, I would be very happy!

Maybe this is not a real food safety issue but it would be great if anyone can share their views!

Thanks!
DP 2006

DP 2006:

I have not heard something specific for air fluidisers, but because this is one of the new additions in the SQF system I am also interested in researching the topic.

These are two sources of information to start:

Compressed Air Contamination in the Food Industry
http://www.foodengin...sWhitePaper.pdf

Food Plant of the Future: Raising the Bar on Plant Air Quality
http://www.foodengineeringmag.com/events/561-food-plant-of-the-future--raising-the-bar-on-plant-air-quality

Here is another article with some general information.
Compressed Air (Food Safety).pdf   1.01MB   76 downloads

And there is this product, which is sounding in the market and is a bit more advanced .

http://www.airocide.com/

The BCAS Food Grade Compressed Air - Code of Practice refers to ISO 8573-1:2001 Purity Classes [2:2:1] for direct contact and [2:4:1] for indirect contact. It calls for testing of [P:W:O] particles, water, and oil. According to the Code, compressed air quality shall be tested and verified at least twice per year or per the manufacturer's recommendations. Additional testing is also warranted whenever maintenance work or any activity that may affect the air quality is performed on the compressed air system. (Section 7.2) The Maintenance of the required air purity shall be related to Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points (HACCP). (Section 7.1) Whenever maintenance is performed a representative selection of the air outlets shall be tested to confirm that the compressed air meets the relevant Purity Classes. (Section 8.4) The risk for microbiological contaminants shall be assessed per ISO 8573-7 and the level of viable microbial contaminants shall not be detectable. (Section 7.6) All measurements shall be recorded and documented. (Section 7.7)
Additional info available at

ISO 8573-1 Purchase at webstore.ansi.org

BCAS Food Grade Compressed Air - A Code of Practice Purchase at bcas.org/uk

BRC Global Standard Purchase at brcbookshop.com
Compressed Air Testing at http://www.aircheckl...d-industry.html

The BCAS Food Grade Compressed Air - Code of Practice refers to ISO 8573-1:2001 Purity Classes [2:2:1] for direct contact and [2:4:1] for indirect contact. It calls for testing of [P:W:O] particles, water, and oil. According to the Code, compressed air quality shall be tested and verified at least twice per year or per the manufacturer's recommendations. Additional testing is also warranted whenever maintenance work or any activity that may affect the air quality is performed on the compressed air system. (Section 7.2) The Maintenance of the required air purity shall be related to Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points (HACCP). (Section 7.1) Whenever maintenance is performed a representative selection of the air outlets shall be tested to confirm that the compressed air meets the relevant Purity Classes. (Section 8.4) The risk for microbiological contaminants shall be assessed per ISO 8573-7 and the level of viable microbial contaminants shall not be detectable. (Section 7.6) All measurements shall be recorded and documented. (Section 7.7)
Additional info available at

ISO 8573-1 Purchase at webstore.ansi.org

BCAS Food Grade Compressed Air - A Code of Practice Purchase at bcas.org/uk

BRC Global Standard Purchase at brcbookshop.com
Compressed Air Testing at http://www.aircheckl...d-industry.html

Hi,

I just want to ask if air microbial testing is applicable for flexible packaging manufacturer? What would be the scope? from Printing to Slitting to Bagmaking?

Please help.

Thank you,