The use of a plate and frame filter constitutes an absolute requirement for the clarification of wine in the course of its production. This way wipes off the solid particles and bad components of the wine thoroughly leaving you with a clear product sound in quality. In this manual, we are going to guide you on how to operate with a plate and frame filter for wine.
Firstly, you should gather all the necessary tools. So, you need a filter housing and some filter materials, a wine slurry, and a pump. Check that all things are well-cleaned and are in the proper condition to be used.
Prior to your start, make sure that the plate and frame filter is without problems. Look at the plates and frames to see if there is any damage or wear, also the filter cloths need to be in good condition without any dirt or tears. The accuracy of this step is of utmost importance to the purification process.
Then, you can get the filter ready for its use. Divide the filter plates and put the filter cloth on the plates. Ensure that the filter cloths are pressed between the frames securely. In this way, this creates the necessary filter which the process will later on.
Set the plates and the frames on each other, making sure that they are lined in an order of the plate and then the frame. Additionally, these plates must be put together properly. Finally, secure the frames well to prevent the leakage of any waste water during filtration.
The next step involves loading the wine. Connect the slurry feed pump to the filter's inlet. Then, switch on the pump and start transferring the wine to the filter. You can check if the flow of the wine has been constant and even by observing it.
As the wine goes in, the liquid element will go through the filter cloth. This process filters the solids that get stuck in the filter cloth to form a filter cake. The liquid that passes through is collected in a tray below the filter.
While filtration, focus on the pressure gauge to gauge the situation. An excessive level of pressure means that there may be a blockage. Adjust the flow rate so as to keep optimum performance.
When filtration is over, you can stop the pump. Give the filter cake time to dry. This can be either done mechanically through air pressure or just by letting it be. The proper drying is necessary to easily get rid of it later.
After the filter cake has become completely dry, you should go further to discharge it. Open the filter press and take off the plates and frames. After that, you should remove the filter cake from the outlet easily and safely for dumping or further use.
Clean the filter completely after using it. Make sure the filter cloths are removed and subsequently, you wash them to have any residuals washed away. Verify if there are remaining solids on the plates and frames. Full cleaning offers endurance and effectiveness.
As for wine filtration with the help of a plate and frame filter, the way to go is a simple procedure. After you’ve assembled your equipment and prepared the filter, loaded the wine, supervised the process, and cleaned the entire set, you can get a greatly positive result. This method of treatment will enrich the tone of your wine and make it more attractive to the taste. All you need is a little bit of practice to master the skill of using the plate and frame filter to achieve the best outcome.