No fears over new rules on compressed air for food use
Most existing compressed air systems for food applications probably comply with the Food Grade Compressed Air Code of Practice prepared by the British Compressed Air Society (BCAS) and the British Retail Consortium (BRC), says BCAS member Domnick Hunter. And those that don't can easily be updated, it adds.
Mark White, filter product manager at Domnick Hunter, says: "As with any new Code of Practice, manufacturers will be concerned about existing equipment. In reality, the majority of existing compressed air systems may already comply, or can be easily updated."
Coalescing filters are probably the most important items. They remove droplets of water and oil as well as particulates and micro-organisms.
Water vapour is removed using a dryer, its performance being measured as pressure dew point. The Code recommends a dew point of -40°C for air in direct contact with food, which is only achievable with a desiccant dryer.
"The aim of the Code is to provide recommendations to the food industry that will protect both the manufacturer and the consumer, not to over-specify air quality in an attempt to sell plant equipment," says White.
CONTACT Domnick Hunter TEL 0191 402 9167
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