Carbon Dioxide Polishers

for the Beverage Industry

www.domnickhunter.com
1 Carbon Dioxide Polishers for the Beverage Industry

Why choose a domnick hunter PCO2 system?

The PCO2 system is designed as a quality incident alone cannot achieve the gas quality required.
protection unit acting as a point of use vapour
The domnick hunter five stage purification systems,
‘polisher’ and is proven to be effective at removing a
installed in over 65 countries worldwide utilise multi-
wide range of potential CO2 impurities.
layer gas purification technology. This is the industry
Recent improvements with on-site analysis preferred choice for CO2 polishing systems, offering
equipment has shown that the traditional method of quality incident protection against out of specification
protecting the quality of the CO2 supply by means of CO2 beverage gas.
passing the gas through an activated carbon vessel

Carbon Dioxide Some potential contaminants are selected as

indicators of the removal of certain classes of
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is available as a colourless, compounds. Others that are specified are of particular
odourless, non-combustible gas, a heavy, volatile concern to the carbonated beverage manufacturers, as
colourless liquid or as a solid in the form of dry ice. they are known to have a negative impact on the
flavour and appearance of the beverage.
In the beverage industry, CO2 is used to carbonate soft
drinks, beers and wine as well as offering some Voluntary quality standards as listed in the ISBT
protection against microbiological growth. Quality Guidelines are shown below.
CO2 is typically produced as a by-product from various Critical Limit
Potential Contaminant Rationale
processes including chemical manufacturing or ppm(v/v)
combustion as well as collection from natural sources. 50 ppm v/v max. including
Total Volatile Hydrocarbons
20 ppm v/vmax. as total Sensory
Common sources of CO2 include hydrogen and (as Methane)
non-methane hydrocarbons
ammonia production, fermentation and collection from
geothermal wells. Regulatory
Aromatic Hydrocarbon Content 20 ppb v/v max.
Prior to its use, the carbon dioxide must be purified
before being considered suitable for it’s intended use Acetaldehyde 0.2 ppm v/v max. Sensory
as a direct food additive to the beverage. Total Sulphur Content* (as S):
(*Total sulphur-containing impurities 0.1 ppm v/v max. Sensory
Potential contamination of a CO2 supply can occur as excluding sulfur dioxide)

the result of natural impurities in the raw gas source Sulphur Dioxide 1 ppm v/v max. Sensory
not being effectively removed, or from gas Moisture 20 ppm v/v max. Process
contamination during storage and distribution.
Nitric Oxide/Nitrogen Dioxide 2.5 ppm v/v max. (each) Process
To ensure that the beverage it not tainted or does not
Source: ISBT CO2 quality & analytical procedure biblography, 2001.
take on any flavour defects due to CO2 impurities,
Quality Guidelines for beverage grade CO2 are detailed
in the following publications; Nitrogen & Air
International Society of Beverage Whilst originally developed for the purification of CO2
Technologists (ISBT) “CO2 Quality used in the beverage industry, the domnick hunter
Guidelines” PCO2 system is also effective at removing trace levels
of hydrocarbon contamination from a nitrogen or air
Compressed Gas Association (CGA) “G-6.2 stream.
Commodity Specification for Carbon Dioxide”
As part of the gas purification system, the PCO2
European Industrial Gases Association (EIGA) system can be used in a wide range of industries
“Carbon Dioxide Sources, Certification, where the quality of the gas is critical i.e. life science
Quality Standards and Verification” research, bio-pharmaceutical, laboratory gases and
electronics.
It is the responsibility of both the gas supplier and the
user to take appropriate steps to ensure the quality of
the carbon dioxide. Safety and good manufacturing
practices for food additives should be applied
throughout the process, from production, delivery, and
storage to retail dispense.
 2

The Efficient Solution The benefits are obvious

In response to increased awareness of the impact on Added security of CO2 quality
beverage characteristics that potential CO2 impurities can
have, domnick hunter has developed a range of PCO2
Protection against impurities known
carbon dioxide purifiers. Acting as vapour polishers, these
are designed to bring ‘out of specification’ gas back to to result in beverage flavour defects
within beverage quality guidelines.
Effective for removing a combination
The PCO2 systems are designed to offer in-line quality of potential contaminants
incident protection against peak levels of trace
contaminants that may occasionally be present in beverage
grade carbon dioxide.
Low pressure drop

Potential CO2 impurities may be residual contaminants Easy maintenance, disposable

carried over from the feed source or could be introduced cartridge design
into the bulk liquid CO2 or gas cylinders from the
distribution system. In either case, the domnick hunter
Compact design
PCO2 system offers added insurance against potential
contamination of the beverage, thus avoiding potential
costly product spoilage. 10 year housing guarantee
Under HACCP principles, the quality of CO2 used at the World-wide sales and support
point of carbonation is defined as a Critical Control Point
(CCP) and the installation of a PCO2 system at this point Manufactured in accordance
will form part of a complete CO2 quality approach.
with ISO 9001:2000

This picture shows an

MPlus 6000, 2722 kg/h
(6000 lb/h) unit. In the
background is the
traditional carbon vessel
that it replaced.

A typical bottling plant installation

The latest development in point of

use CO2 polishing are disposable
NEW
filters used to guarantee carbon
dioxide quality at fountain
dispense outlets. By removing
potential CO2 impurities, the
PCO2 filter will assure the
dispensed beverage taste and
appearance.
3 Carbon Dioxide Polishers for the Beverage Industry

PCO2 – High performance purification of

carbon dioxide for the beverage industry.

Performance Verification Removal efficiencies

Comprehensive performance verification has been carried Below are some samples of the efficiency graphs
out using the test rig arrangement shown below. Testing for typical contaminants. Other graphs are
comprised of setting an inlet contamination challenge by available on request.
means of blending, in a set dilution ratio of specially
prepared contaminated CO2 mixed with a clean supply.
Report HA 2554 Inlet

The resultant gas mixture was then flowed through a PCO2 Benzene Outlet
1.0000
unit at a set pressure and flowrate with gas samples taken Contamination
Removed
directly upstream and downstream of the unit. The samples

Concentration (ppm V)
were then analysed by an independent analytical laboratory 0.1000

to evaluate the unit’s efficiency at removing trace ISBT Spec = 0.02 ppmV

contaminants. Some of the results are shown in the graphs 0.0100

opposite.
0.0010

Contaminated CO2
Pressure Gauge 0.0001
Mass 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220

Flow Elapsed Hours

Controller
Inlet Sample Outlet Sample
Exhaust
Report HB3817 Inlet
Acetaldehyde Outlet
Dilution CO2 Purifier Pressure
100.000 Contamination
100 : 1 Controller Removed
Concentration (ppm V)

10.000

Mass 1.000
Flow
Controller ISBT Spec = 0.2 ppmV

0.100
Clean CO2

0.010

Performance Verification Test Rig 0.001

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220
Elapsed Hours

In order to measure contaminants reliably at low

concentrations, the following analytical methods were used.
Inlet
Report R0690
Hydrogen Sulphide Outlet
10.000
Contaminant Sample Method Analysis Contamination
Removed
Concentration (ppm V)

Total Aromatic 1.000

Adsorption, Thermal Gas chromatography
Hydrocarbons
Desorption (ATD) tubes mass spectrometry
(BTEX)
ISBT Spec. 0.1ppmv
0.100
Volatile Adsorption, Thermal Gas chromatography
hydrocarbons Desorption (ATD) tubes mass spectrometry
0.010
Iso-octane / DNPH Solvent exchange
Acetaldehyde bubblers followed by HPLC
0.001
Tedlar bag gas sample 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
Sulphur followed by solid Gas chromatography Elapsed Hours
compounds phase microextraction mass spectrometry
(SPME).
 4

PCO2 - Designed for performance

Stage 4
Removal of sulphur
compounds
(COS, H2S, etc.)
Stage 5
0.01 Micron
Particle filtration
Stage 3
Primary removal
of hydrocarbons
(Benzene, Toluene etc.)

Stage 1
Stage 2 0.01 Micron Particle filtration
Removal of water Removal of non-volatile
& partial removal organic residue (NVOR)
of hydrocarbons and other contaminants
down to 0.01.ppm.

The domnick hunter PCO2 polishing system offers five stages of CO2 purification in a compact, modular design to
give the highest level of protection to the beverage industry. In addition to inlet and outlet particulate filtration, the
plant scale Maxi and Mplus systems incorporate a unique 3-layer adsorption bed, pre-loaded into cartridges for
ease of maintenance. The materials used have been carefully selected for their ability to preferentially adsorb
potential contaminants, thus ensuring the optimum removal efficiency of the system during its operational life.
This proven five stage technology has also been utilised in the design of smaller point of use polishers used to
offer protection against potential CO2 contamination in retail dispense applications.

Preferential adsorption table

Adsorbent Material
Example 2nd Stage Adsorbent 3rd Stage Adsorbent 4th Stage Adsorbent
Contaminants
Dryfil® Dryfil® Dryfil®
Benzene ✔ ✔ ✔
Toluene ✔ ✔ ✔
Xylene ✔ ✔ ✔
Cyclohexane ✔ ✔ ✔
Acetaldehyde ✔ ✔ ✔
2-Butanone ✔ ✔ ✔
Dimethyl Ether ✔ ✔ ✔
Isoamyl Acetate ✔ ✔ ✔
Ethyl Acetate ✔ ✔ ✔
styrene ✔ ✔ ✔
MIBK ✔ ✔ ✔
Ethanol ✘ ✔ ✔
Methanol ✔ ✔ ✔
Water ✔ ✔ ✔
COS ✘ ✔ ✔ ✔ Good Adsorption
H2S ✘ ✔ ✔ ✔ Partial Adsorption
SO2 ✘ ✔ ✔ ✘ No Adsorption
5 Carbon Dioxide Polishers for the Beverage Industry

Installation
Retail Dispense Suitable for installation in retail
outlet cellar applications.

Easy installation, quick release.

Fully sealed tamperproof design.

Integrated absolute rated

membrane filtration.

12 months service interval.

Disposable design made from

food grade polypropylene.

Available in flow capacities up to

4,537 kg/h (10,000 lb/h)

Flow capacities above 4,537 kg/h

Plant (Production) (10,000 lb/h) achieved by multi-
domnick hunter
VBA Sterile Gas Filter banking

Standard pressure rated to

Carbonator 20.7 bar g (300 psi g ), 24.1 bar g
(350 psi g) version available.
PCO2 CO2 Purifier

Liquid CO2 Bulk Storage Evaporator Canning / Bottling Easy installation, compact
design.

Suitable for installation outside.

6 months service interval.

Easy change disposable

cartridges reducing maintenance
times.
Maintenance
Maintenance could not be easier, simply remove the top manifold
and change the cartridges. A one-way fitting mechanism ensures
that field servicing of the product does not compromise the
efficiency of the system. All replacement cartridges are
manufactured in a clean room environment and vacuum sealed
prior to shipment to ensure integrity and performance.
 6

Selection Criteria
Mini PCO2
Max. Pressure Flow Rate
Model
bar g psi g L/min (ANR) lb/h

MF-5* 4.1 60 5 1.2

*This unit should be replaced every 12 months.

Maxi & MPlus PCO2

Stated flow rates are at 20.7 bar g (300 psi g). For flows at other pressures apply the correction factors shown below.

Max. Operating Pressure Flow Rate @ 20.7 bar g (300 psig) Replacement Elements
Model Adsorption Pre-Filter After-Filter
bar g psi g kg/h lb/h Element Kit (1) Element (2) Element (2)

20.7 300 K058AA-TS K058AA-TS

PC02/1 300 661 2 x EPCO2
24.1 350 K145AA-TS K145AA-TS

20.7 300 K145AA-TS K145AA-TS

PC02/2 600 1322 4 x EPCO2
24.1 350 K145AA-TS K145AA-TS

20.7 300 K220AA-TS K220AA-TS

PC02/3 900 1980 6 x EPCO2
24.1 350 K145AA-TS K145AA-TS

20.7 300 K220AA-TS K220AA-TS

MPlus 4000 1814 4000 1 x 60 607 0630
24.1 350 K220AA-TS K220AA-TS

20.7 300 K330AA-TS K330AA-TS

MPlus 6000 2722 6000 1 x 60 607 0640
24.1 350 K220AA-TS K220AA-TS

20.7 300 K430AA-TS K430AA-TS

MPlus 8000 3629 8000 1 x 60 607 0650
24.1 350 K220AA-TS K220AA-TS

20.7 300 K620AA-TS K620AA-TS

MPlus 10000 4537 10000 1 x 60 607 0660
24.1 350 K220AA-TS K220AA-TS

(1) Replace every 6 months. (2) Replace every 12 months.

Pressure correction factors

Inlet bar g 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Pressure
psi g 44 58 73 87 10 116 130 145 160 174 189

Correction factor 0.19 0.23 0.28 0.33 0.38 0.42 0.47 0.52 0.57 0.61 0.66

Inlet bar g 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Pressure
psi g 203 218 232 247 261 275 290 304 319 333 348

Correction factor 0.71 0.76 0.80 0.85 0.90 0.95 1 1 1 1 1

 Technical Specifications MINI MAXI MPlus

bar g 4.1 20.7 (24.1 optional) 20.7 (24.1 optional)

Maximum operating pressure
psi g 60 300 (350 optional) 300 (350 optional)

ºC 40
Maximum operating temperature
ºF 104

ºC 1.5 -20 -20

Minimum operating temperature
ºF 35 -4 -4

Particle removal micron 1 0.01 0.01

Dimensions
D
D

A A A

B C B B C

Mini PCO2 Maxi PCO2 MPlus PCO2

Polisher A B C D Weight
Model
Connections* mm mm mm mm Kg’s
ins ins ins ins lbs

Mini MF-5 Hofman SA25 Stem 216 8.5 86 3.4 n/a n/a n/a n/a 0.3 0.7

Maxi PCO2/1 G1 621 24.5 250 9.8 464 18.3 510 20.0 48 106

Maxi PCO2/2 G1 621 24.5 250 9.8 788 31.0 510 20.0 92 203

Maxi PCO2/3 G1 621 24.5 250 9.8 1113 43.8 510 20.0 130 287

MPlus 4000 G2† 1390 54.7 450 17.7 741 29.2 1155 45.5 270 596

MPlus 6000 G2† 1390 54.7 450 17.7 910 35.8 1155 45.5 348 768

MPlus 8000 G21/2† 1390 54.7 450 17.7 1079 42.5 1155 45.5 434 955

MPlus 10000 G3† 1390 54.7 450 17.7 1270 50.0 1155 45.5 518 1140

*Please specify BSP or NPT (excluding the MF-5 model.)

†24.1 bar g (350 psig) versions all 2” connections

dh, domnick hunter, OIL-X and PNEUDRI are registered trademarks

of domnick hunter limited.

domnick hunter limited

domnick hunter limited has a continuous policy of product
Dukesway, Team Valley Trading Estate,
development and although the Company reserves the right to Gateshead, Tyne and Wear,
change specifications, it attempts to keep customers informed of
any alterations. This publication is for general information only and
England NE11 0PZ
customers are requested to contact our Industrial Division Sales Tel: +44 (0)191 402 9000
Department for detailed information and advice on a products Telefax: +44 (0)191 482 6296
suitability for specific applications. All products are sold subject to
the Company’s standard conditions of sale. http://www.domnickhunter.com

www.domnickhunter.com
Copyright domnick hunter limited 2003
a member of the domnick hunter group plc Publication Reference: 62 09/04 Rev. 006
Stock No. 17 400 4462