Optimum Solution for Beer Recovery from Westfalia Separator

In this case, a choice is easy: GEA Westfalia Separator Process is the only manufacturer able to offer all three conventional systems for recovering beer from tank bottoms from a single source: separators, decanters and ceramic membrane filters. This means that the company can provide the right solution for every output capacity and each individual application. All alternatives from a single source also mean that GEA Westfalia Separator Process is able to provide neutral advice and make the recommendations appropriate for every operation.

The main reason for installing a beer recovery system is improved cost efficiency. Maximum value is placed on beer quality. The larger a brewery the more beer is lost in or can be recovered from the tank bottoms. With an output for instance of one million hl, this is equivalent to 120,000 to 240,000 €, which can be generated additionally every year.

All good things are three: separator, decanter, membrane filtration
The need to identify the right process strategy is crucial to the decision to invest in a beer recovery system. With minimum investment costs, the separator represents the simplest form of process management and is suitable for operating sizes starting at approximately 300,000 hl/a. The GSC 150 separator, developed for this task especially, ensures that the yeast has a dry substance of around 25 percent thanks to the Westfalia Separator hydrostop system.

For larger breweries with operating sizes of 1.5 million to 2.0 million hl beer output, decanter technology is the most cost-efficient alternative. The fully hydrohermetic CB 506 decanter, which has been newly developed for beer recovery, provides continuous operation in the same way as the separator, but a density measurement facility in the inlet also means that it can adjust fully automatically to changing feed parameters.

In addition to the separator and the decanter, membrane filtration is the third solution for economic beer recovery that maintains quality. Two years ago, GEA Westfalia Separator took over Membraflow GmbH and integrated the company in the Group. Since then, GEA Westfalia Separator is able to offer even these three beer recovery systems from a single source. In breweries, membranes from GEA Westfalia Separator have been used for recovering beer for years. The elegant aspect of membrane technology is that it is available in modular form in different layouts, pore diameters and sizes, and this modular concept means that it can be adapted to all sizes of operation. In the lower performance range, it also provides optimum cost efficiency and is virtually maintenance-free.