Filter recommendations for steam, compressed air and air handling?
Greetings,
We are setting up a new facility, and need to install a 5 micron filter on our compressed air system, a 5 micron filter on our steam system, and some sort of system on our air handling system (which will pull air from outside through a rooftop unit at 6,000 cfm, then channel it down a 16x16 duct to where it will be used in direct food contact (cooling/drying finished product).
Where should I start looking for the above filters?
We know the specifications on the compressed air and steam (5 microns), but the air handler for direct food contact has no required specifications...so, what should we do? We can install a primary filter at the "mouth" of the air handler to block out large contaminants, but I'm thinking we should also have some sort of filtration near the point of use, right?
Any help or advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Brian
Hi Brian,
Is the set-up supposed to comply with any particular FS Standard, eg SQF ?
In some cases the specifics also relate to the product, eg RTE, and process.
Good point, Charles, I should have specified.
We are pursuing SQF Level 2 certification in the near future.
We are processing grain products that will NOT be RTE.
Oh, and I realized I made a mistake in my initial post...we should be using a 0.01 micron filter for the compressed air.
Hi Brian,
Thks for above.
Looks like you've been reading the SQF Guidance material. :smile:
There are a lot of SQF-related threads on this topic whose attachments illustrate typical "sets" of compresor/filter arrangements, eg -
http://www.ifsqn.com...ent/#entry81054
http://www.ifsqn.com...ity/#entry88849
http://www.ifsqn.com...oom/#entry94690
http://www.ifsqn.com...ng/#entry100607
Hi Brian,
Don't forget that compressed air can contain mineral oil contamination from the compressor itself, as well as contaminants from the outside air. Mineral oil contamination is relevant to both RTE foods and also to food items like grain that will undergo further processing and 'kill steps'.
When looking for solutions, a good place to start is with a compressed air components manufacturer or supplier; their sales guys usually have fantastic expertise and they will have a range of different drying/filtering options for both the plant room and the point of use. I'm not sure about how it works in your country, but I would be surprised if you couldn't find a couple of companies who would be willing to send experts to visit your plant in person and propose some solutions. Single use filters installed close to the point of use should be relatively cheap.
Karen
Hi Brian,
Don't forget that compressed air can contain mineral oil contamination from the compressor itself, as well as contaminants from the outside air. Mineral oil contamination is relevant to both RTE foods and also to food items like grain that will undergo further processing and 'kill steps'.
When looking for solutions, a good place to start is with a compressed air components manufacturer or supplier; their sales guys usually have fantastic expertise and they will have a range of different drying/filtering options for both the plant room and the point of use. I'm not sure about how it works in your country, but I would be surprised if you couldn't find a couple of companies who would be willing to send experts to visit your plant in person and propose some solutions. Single use filters installed close to the point of use should be relatively cheap.
Karen
Hi Karen,
I don't disagree with the Principle of yr comments but, based on some previous threads (and some FS Standards), a likely result of a salesman's involvement may be a sterile filtration capability. Win-Win ?
Thanks to all of you for your feedback - should be helpful!