Air Filtration Solutions Food & Beverage Industry

In the food and beverage industry, fresh air systems must cover the entire process, from raw material handling, processing, and filling to storage. These systems address various contaminants, including dust, microorganisms, VOCs, and odors, using pre-filters, medium-efficiency filters, HEPA filters, and other purification equipment. Below is a breakdown of air filtration applications across different segments of the food and beverage industry, along with the recommended filtration products and purification processes.

1. Food Processing

(1) Baking & Flour Processing Areas

Key Contaminants:

Combustible dust: Flour, sugar dust (explosion threshold: 20g/m³).

Foreign particles: Insects, hair.

Filtration Products:

Explosion-proof pre-filter media (MERV 5-7): Captures large dust particles and meets ATEX explosion-proof standards.

Medium-efficiency bag filters (MERV 13-15): Filters PM2.5-level dust.

Wet dust collector: Uses water mist to suppress dust dispersion.

Purification Process: Raw material feeding → Dust collection hood → Explosion-proof pre-filter → Medium-efficiency filtration → Wet dust collector → Compliance discharge.

(2) Meat Processing Plants

Key Contaminants:

Microorganisms: Salmonella, E. coli.

Odors: Blood residues, fat oxidation VOCs.

Filtration Products:

Medium-efficiency filters (MERV 14): Captures meat scraps and fat particles.

HEPA filters (H13): Removes microorganisms (99.97% efficiency at 0.3µm).

Activated carbon + UV photolysis: Decomposes odors.

Purification Process: Fresh air → Pre-filter → Medium filter → HEPA filter → Activated carbon + UV → Positive pressure maintenance to prevent external contamination.

2. Beverage Processing

(1) Bottled Water & Carbonated Beverage Aseptic Filling Lines

Key Contaminants:

Microorganisms: Mold, yeast (filling area requires ISO Class 5 cleanliness).

Particles: Residual fragments from bottle surfaces.

Filtration Products:

HEPA filters (H13-H14): Ensures aseptic conditions around filling heads.

Air shower rooms: Removes dust from personnel before entry.

Ozone generator: Used for sterilizing filling lines during shutdowns.

Purification Process: External air → Pre-filter → Medium filter → HEPA filter → Laminar airflow to filling area → Ozone disinfection during non-operating hours.

(2) Dairy Fermentation & Filling Areas

Key Contaminants:

Microbial contamination from non-lactic acid bacteria.

Humidity-sensitive environment requiring stable humidity levels (60-70% RH).

Filtration Products:

Moisture-resistant medium-efficiency filters (MERV 13): Prevent mold growth.

HEPA filters (H13): Captures microbial aerosols.

Humidity control system: Precisely regulates humidity levels.

Purification Process: Fresh air → Pre-filter → Medium filter → HEPA filter → Humidity control → Positive pressure maintenance in fermentation zones.

(3) Beer/Alcohol Fermentation & Distillation Areas

Key Contaminants:

CO₂/Ethanol vapors: Fermentation releases CO₂, distillation generates ethanol (flammable and explosive).

Odors: Organic acids, ester compounds.

Filtration Products:

Explosion-proof fan + Pre-filters (MERV 8): Forced ventilation to dilute CO₂.

Activated carbon filters: Adsorb ethanol odors.

VOC catalytic combustion unit: Treats high-concentration organic emissions.

Purification Process: Workshop exhaust → Pre-filter → Activated carbon adsorption → Catalytic combustion → Compliance discharge; fresh air replenishment ensures oxygen levels.

3. General Areas (Applicable to Both Food & Beverage Sectors)

(1) Raw Material & Packaging Storage

Key Contaminants:

Dust: Sugar, milk powder, packaging debris.

Mold: High humidity promoting spore growth.

Filtration Products:

Pre-filter media (MERV 5-7): Captures large debris and foreign particles.

Antibacterial medium-efficiency filters (MERV 13): Silver ion coating inhibits mold growth.

Dehumidifier: Controls humidity to ≤65% RH.

Purification Process: Warehouse ventilation → Pre-filter → Antibacterial medium filter → Dehumidification → Recirculating airflow.

(2) Laboratory & Quality Control Centers

Key Contaminants:

Cross-contamination: Requires sterile conditions for sample testing.

Chemical vapors: Reagent emissions (formaldehyde, benzene).

Filtration Products:

HEPA filters (H14): Maintains ISO Class 5 cleanroom standards.

Activated carbon chemical filters: Adsorb toxic gases.

Biological safety cabinets: Localized ultra-clean airflow via fan filter units (FFU).

Purification Process: Fresh air → Pre-filter → Medium filter → HEPA + Activated carbon → Negative pressure control → Independent biological safety cabinet purification.

Key Filtration Products and Their Applications