Constant food safety through correct compressed air treatment

How to prevent quality loss in food production

Sterile compressed air is indispensable for safe food

Manufacturing companies in the food industry must ensure that they comply with the prescribed limit values for safe production at every point in their production process – otherwise they risk economic damage to their company and Health consequences for the consumer. The medium of compressed air is an important influencing factor, which is often not aware of food manufacturers.

Influence Size Compressed Air

Compressed air is used in almost every production process and is often directly in contact with the food, for example as transport air, in the conveying of powdered substances or in the form of packaging into which the product is subsequently filled. If the compressed air is contaminated with bacteria, aerosols, steam or water vapor, this can have a significant impact on the quality of the final product and pose a risk to the consumer. Sources of impurities are often already in the intake air or are intrinsic to the system (e.g. older, contaminated pipelines). Therefore, an unsealed compressor does not yet provide sufficient safety for production.

Compressed air monitoring for intelligent Quality management

In order to produce a flawless food, companies in the food industry must react with intelligent quality management and, within the framework of the HACCP (Hazard Analysis and critical control points) quality tool, an operational preventive program (OPRP) as a safety net. This should include a 24/7 online monitoring of compressed air to ensure compliance with the limit values for clean compressed air at any point in the production process.

Controlled processes by METPOINT measurement technology with the METPOINT measurement technology from BEKO technologies, producers have instruments that provide them with the data base for monitoring and evaluating the critical compressed air parameters such as residual oil vapor content, Supply flow, pressure, relative humidity and dew point permanently and in real time.

To detect the residual oil vapour content in the compressed air, the online measuring system METPOINT OCV Compact offers the highest measurement accuracy through reference gas production by means of a catalyst. This ensures that the reference gas is absolutely non-free and sterile compressed air ("Nullluft"). Changes in the compressed air process are quickly recorded and peaks are recognized immediately. All important data are stored for accurate documentation for the next audit according to HACCP and the operative preventive program.

Specific solutions for compressed air treatment if the limit values are exceeded, further measures can be taken, such as compressed air filtration, compressed air drying or treatment using catalysis. With requirements-specific solutions for compressed air preparation, producers receive a dry, oil and aseptic compressed air of the highest quality. This is the safest way to go in terms of food safety.

BEKO Technologies as a partner for safe compressed air BEKO Technologies GmbH advises manufacturing companies as well as food controllers regarding safety measures for compressed air applications in the food industry. The Neuss Air specialist develops solutions and concepts for a suitable preparation and monitoring of the medium of compressed air in various industrial processes and provides tailor-made consulting services for the food industry. Through cooperation with the national associations and the Federal Association for Food inspectors as well as the Training Institute for Food technicians Kin e.v., BEKO Technologies knows the requirements and challenges of the industry closely and helps Food manufacturers to find the most efficient and safest solution for their compressed air system.