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  • 1.  Keg cleaning steam pressure

    Posted 06-20-2023 21:24

    We are finally able to switch to steam in our brewhouse and for keg cleaning.  A couple years back I remember reading something about the minimum steam pressure recommended for sterilizing kegs.  I believe it was stated that at a certain pressure you get not only sterilization but also all oxygen is purged from the keg.  However, I cannot find this anywhere.  Does anyone have any information on what pressure we should be using?  Want to make sure any machine I purchase meets this.



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    Patrick Brown
    Brewer
    2nd Story Ale Works
    Tokushima, Japan
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  • 2.  RE: Keg cleaning steam pressure

    Posted 06-21-2023 15:40

    Hi Patrick,

    In order to sterilize a keg with high pressure steam you need to reach a temperature of about 275 deg F and hold it in the keg for 60 seconds.  To reach that 275 deg threshold you will need steam at about 31 PSI.



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    Chris Nimptsch
    President
    Profamo Inc
    Rancho Palos Verdes CA
    (941) 284-7990
    [chris@profamo.com]
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  • 3.  RE: Keg cleaning steam pressure

    Posted 06-21-2023 17:59

    Hi Patrick,

    The Rotech keg monitoring system is an excellent way to know if your keg is getting the proper amount of steam saturation, and temperature.  For more info, please visit the following link: https://rotechkeg.com/

    Hope this helps.

    Dana



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    Dana Johnson
    Technical Director, Craft Brewing
    Birko - A Diversey Company
    Henderson CO
    (303) 289-1090, ext. 117
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  • 4.  RE: Keg cleaning steam pressure

    Posted 06-22-2023 21:47

    Hi Patrick,

    The Minimum steam pressure recommended by Comac for sterilizing kegs is 2- 2.5 bar (30 to 37.5 PSI).

    While for condensate discharge and keg pressurization, Comac recommends a CO2 pressure of 3 bar (45 PSI).

    Cheers

    Eric



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    Eric Corticchiato
    Eurosource Inc
    Dallas TX
    (214) 357-4688
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  • 5.  RE: Keg cleaning steam pressure

    Posted 06-23-2023 13:06
    Hi Eric - With IDD steam system keg washing and filling machines we recommend 40 PSIG steam to achieve temperature during the hold phase, provide sufficient pressure (energy) to evacuate final rinse water to recovery in short order, and deplete O2 in the keg by approximately >98%. Operating CO2 above 30 PSIG is just wasting CO2 - which is also not good economics or good ecological stewardship in todays world.

    Celebrating my 61st year in the design and implementation of the Sankey keg and Sankey keg washing and filling systems to the global market.

    Best,

    Jeff.  

    Jeff Gunn
    President & CEO
    IDD Process & Packaging, Inc.
    5450 Tech Circle
    Moorpark, CA 93021
    Toll Free: 800-621-4144
    Tel: 805-529-9890
    Fax: 805-529-9282
    Cell: 805-444-3842
    Web Site: www.iddeas.com