Extraction and Filtration of Tea
For the extraction of tea, good quality drinking water is required. In places where the water is very hard and contains high levels of calcium and magnesium (in excess of 10° dH) it is recommended to soften the water and process it via an ion-exchange plant, followed by an activated carbon treatment.
The FILTROX tea extraction and filtration plant is based on a regenerative heat extraction system. Usually different brands of tea powder or tea leaves (shredded leaves) are used which gives the product its specific flavour and characteristics. In most cases the tea extraction and filtration thereof is carried out hot at 90°C - 95°C.
The tea powder or tea leaves remain in the filter system and special attention is given to the time/temperature relationship. Prolonged heat treatment leads to excessive extraction of tannic compounds which makes the tea bitter and effects the final product. In the production of "ice-tea", various additives are used such as sugar, acid, flavouring, colouring, etc. which is added once the product has been cooled down. In such cases an additional filtration may be required prior to packaging.
FILTER-O-MAT® or SYNOX® - DE-Filtration
For the filtration of tea or ice-tea, good results are obtained when using a horizontal pressure leaf filter (FILTER-O-MAT® 110) or a candle filter (SYNOX® ) whichever filter system is preferred. The filters are especially built (bearings) to withstand the high temperature. The filters are available either as hand-operated plants or fitted with pneumatic control systems, associated software and safety features. After each extraction/filtration cycle, the filter must be washed and the used tea leaves discarded. The discarded tea leaves are usually used as animal feed, for land-fill or for composting etc.
NOVOX® - Plate and Frame Filter
This filter system can be recommended for all pre-filtered products. The filter can be used, down-stream to the DE-Filter, for medium or fine filtration purposes and/or for the filtration of final products prior to filling or packaging.
FIBRAFIX® - Depth Filter Sheets and Washable Sheets
A wide range of filter sheets with different pore sizes are available for the filtration of different products. The range covers coarse filtration, clarifying filtration to sterile filtration, whichever function is required. Filter sheets can be sterilized with hot water and thereafter be re-used for a period of days.
DISCSTAR® for Lenticular Filtration
This type of filtration system can be recommended for all products with a high degree of clarity, prior to filtration. The filter can very snugly be built into any pipe system and according to the pore size of the lenticular cartridges (lenticular modules), it can be used as a police filter, polishing filter or for sterile filtration. Lenticular cartridge filters can be drained with ease, can be sterilized with hot water or steam and re-used.