Air filtration solutions ensures that requirements are met

25th August 2017 By: Victor Moolman - Creamer Media Writer

Filter technology manufacturer Freudenberg Filtration Technologies says its hygienic air filtration solutions help to ensure that clients in the food and beverage sector meet the most stringent regulatory requirements.

This is in line with the EN 779 quality requirements that have been replaced by the ISO 16890 standards. The limitations of the EN 779 standard is that the actual operating behaviour of air filters under real life conditions deviates significantly and principally from the performance against ASHRAE test dust used in EN 779 testing.

The test is designed for testing filters and heating, refrigeration and air conditioning system components. Freudenberg Filtrations Technologies MD Andrew Hersey says another limitation of the EN 779 is that, filters are exclusively evaluated at 0.4 µm particle size. EN 779 does not give any information about the performance of an air filter to any other particle size.

He adds that, with the implementation of the new ISO 16890 filter testing standard, it will now be easier to select the most suitable filters for specific application conditions.

As part of its service offering to the food and beverage sector, Freudenberg’s liquid filtration products ensure that there is a combination of hygiene, efficiency and diversity.

To remove the smallest particles and bacteria in the air, the company’s Ultra Low Penetration and High Efficiency Particulate product filters have to meet the highest requirements for clean and sterile air.

“These filters have a high arrestance efficiency, which ensure that 99.99% of any bacteria and small particles are captured and filtered.”

Moreover, to ensure that companies comply with the new standards, Freudenberg offers a filter management service – the Viledon filterCair Service – which it describes as a flexible service package comprising a comprehensive filter programme, as well as service support.

“The Viledon filterCair Service helps guard against inadequate maintenance of air handling units and the filter systems they contain.”

He further points out that the high-performance, economically efficient, environment-friendly system solution offers its customers a full range of air-quality and pollution-control services, ranging from routine inspections to complete service maintenance programmes.

Freudenberg is one of the driving forces for the new standard in South Africa, Hersey says, with experts like Freudenberg Global Filter Engineering director Dr Thomas Caesar working closely with relevant committees in developing and drawing up the new test standard.

Filtration Services
Currently, filter tests and inspections are done manually, which are based on specific applications and their requirements. At a global level, the company can offer online and remote plant-monitoring solutions.

Further, Hersey explains that filter replacements, inspections and change-outs are dependent on specific applications and industry requirements. Therefore, the timeframe for filter replacements can differ significantly depending on the application.

Experienced Group
Freudenberg Filtration Technologies is celebrating 60 years of service worldwide this year.

“Freudenberg has been active in South Africa for the last 20 years and in sub-Saharan Africa for the last 10 years. The company has grown significantly in this period, having more than tripled in size.”

The company has two production facilities in Johannesburg, as well as sales offices in Cape Town, Durban and Secunda. The company is a global exporter active in various sub-Saharan African countries and it also exports to Europe, the US, the Far East and South America.

Hersey concludes that, along with its involvement in the development of the new ISO 16890 standard, it is also a key member of the European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group (EHEDG) – a consortium of equipment manufacturers, food industries and research institutes, as well as public health authorities, founded in 1989 to promote hygiene during the processing and packaging of food products.

As a member of EHEDG, where Caesar currently stands as the chairperson, Freudenberg Filtration can directly contribute to defining standards that help reduce hygiene problems in food production.