The main purpose of filtration at the fining stage is to remove the fining material which has itself removed heavy metals and albumens. At this stage, a sheet filter dressed with XE20H, XE90H, XE150H or XE200H is used for wines with the need to remove yeast or bacteria. Typical flow rates for this stage, subject to wine quality and operating conditions, are in the range 500-650 litres per square metre per hour. Because of the carefully controlled pore size distribution, Carlson sheets in this range present the wine producer with two major benefits:
Excellent flow rates can be achieved, whilst incurring minimum pressure drop. This allows increased cycle times, which in turn reduces costs.
High levels of clarity and minimal risk of fine haze forming materials passing through the sheet.
