In this edition of our content series, Donaldson explores a common issue in beer production filtration: premature trap filter clogging. Our Food & Beverage sector specialist, Julian Larisch, breaks down the root causes and offers practical solutions to help breweries maintain process integrity and avoid costly downtime.

Scenario:

A large brewery operating at full capacity noticed that one of its trap filters was clogging far earlier than expected. Normally rated for 300,000 hectolitres, the filter began reaching differential pressure limits at just 70% of that volume. The result? More frequent changeouts, rising costs, and mounting pressure on the production team.

The brewery had recently trialled a new 5-micron trap filter as part of a procurement review. While the specs looked similar on paper, the real-world performance told a different story.What Could Be Causing the Premature Clogging?

Julian Larisch identifies several likely contributors:

1. Pressure Surges in Kieselguhr Filtration

If DE (diatomaceous earth) filters experience pressure spikes, they can disrupt the filter cake, pushing fine particles downstream. The trap filter ends up catching more than it should — doing its job, but under excessive load.

2. CIP Valve Sequencing Errors

During clean-in-place (CIP) cycles, a misconfigured valve could send DE-laden cleaning solution through the trap filter. Again, the filter performs — but not on beer. This unexpected load shortens its lifespan.

3. Filter Specification Mismatch

Not all 5-micron filters are created equal. A nominal-rated filter may retain only 70–98% of particles, while an absolute-rated filter like Donaldson’s LifeTec™ PP100 N retains 99.98%. The difference in performance can be dramatic, especially in high-output environments.

Recommendations for Brewery Filtration Optimisation

Stabilise pressure during kieselguhr filtration to prevent filter cake disruption. Audit CIP procedures to ensure valves are correctly sequenced and filters aren’t exposed to unintended loads. Reassess filter specifications and confirm whether absolute-rated filters are required for your application. Track filter service life across vendors to optimise for both cost and performance.

Donaldson: Your Partner in Brewery Filtration

In high-output brewing environments, small oversights can lead to big disruptions. But with the right filtration expertise and a targeted assessment, the root causes are often easy to identify — and fix. Donaldson’s LifeTec™ filters and process filtration solutions are designed to help breweries maintain product clarity, microbiological stability, and regulatory compliance.