Wine Filterability Software
Introduction	There are many laboratory tests which attempt to describe wine filtration on a production scale. Most tests involve filtering a wine through some type of filter, at a certain temperature and pressure. Production filtration decisions are usually based on how much wine is filtered through this setup in a given amount of time. A reliable laboratory test was needed to determine if a wine is ready for 0.45 micron membrane filtration. De La Garza and R. Boulton developed two mathematical models (exponential model and power model) which describe the fouling of filter sheets and membranes. A third model (linear model) developed earlier by D. Sperry describes precoat filtration. Using these three mathematical models, De La Garza and Boulton developed an MS-Basic program which described filtration fouling. The program was further developed and enhanced by Leonard A. "Bud" Berg of Cellulo Company. The models described by De La Garza and Boulton were published in the American Journal of Enology and Viticulture in 1984.
Automation	Our software leverages the fouling models by interfacing an inexpensive computer and printer with a laboratory balance equipped with a serial interface module. Computer automation of the program has reduced the time consuming and labor expensive portion of this test. This allows production staff to utilize this test as a tool to dictate filtration. Depending on the filtration philosophy, this test can set filtration standards, define the problem areas in a filtration, and guide production to the best possible way to achieve these parameters. The development was published as: Computer Automated Wine Filtration Analysis T. Ziemann, M. Maxwell, and L.A. Berg, 1995. American Society for Enology and Viticulture. Practical Production Tool: Filtration Analysis L.A. Berg, Todd Ziemann, and Martin Maxwell, 1996. Practical Winery & Vineyard, May/June, 1996: p.65-71. An electronic toploading balance with 0.1g readability and a serial (RS-232) port is required. After extensive work with a number of balances, the Ohaus Scout Pro electronic toploading balance was selected. It features 0.1g readability, a weighing range: 0-2000g, and an attractive price. The Ohaus No.: SP2001-US serial RS-232 Interface with cable (Ohaus: 71147376) is also required.
General Operation	Typically, a small scale filtration is run in the lab using a pressure vessel equipped with a swinnex filter holder and a nitrogen hookup. The program opens, configures, and initializes a serial port on the computer and connects to the balance. A data entry screen prompts the laboratory staff for the tank number. Staff tare the balance and start the test. The balance is polled for the current value at 60 second intervals, repeated until ten measures have been obtained. This frees the operator from needing to tend to the balance during the test duration. An audible tone is produced from the computer speaker each time the scale is polled to provide feedback that the test is progressing normally. With the time and accumulated volume data collected for 10 samples, the data is fitted into the models and the results printed, which includes the tank, room for the test name, measures obtained, and results of the linear, exponential, and power models. The resulting output is an index of filterability, it is not pass/fail testing. If a wine shows up for bottling and the resulting index is above your wineries fouling threshold, further cellar treatments can be made. The appropriate threshold varies from cellar to cellar and from wine to wine.
Equipment Needed	The following items are needed to run the filtration tests:
	A computer with an available serial port on COM1, a printer port on LTP1, configured to provide a DOS command box, keyboard/keypad. For space, power, and environmental reasons, a small industrial computer is recommended. Windows 7 and later are not supported. A VGA display.
	Ohaus Scout Pro electronic toploading balance with 0.1g readability, weighing range: 0-2000g Ohaus No.: SP2001-US
	RS-232 Interface w/ cable: Ohaus: 83032107
	Printer (POS 40-character receipt type - impact printing parallel interface with parallel cable). Additional printer paper rolls and ribbons. Selected for their compact size, high-speed throughput, low maintenance, and reliability. Potential brands/models (must be parallel interface, manual tearbar): Samsung Bixolon SRP-270AP (Ivory) 270APG (Dark Grey) Citizen CD-S500 S500APAU-WH (White) S500APAU-BK (Black) Epson TM-U220PD
	Container Stainless steel pressure vessel (3.8 L) with pressure gauge, safety relief valve, flow shutoff valve, and hose barb inlet/outlet connections.
	Millipore Swinnex® filter holder (13 mm diameter)(with Female Luer-Lok® inlet fitting) Connector from pressure vessle shutoff valve with Male Luer-Lok® to Swinnex® filter holder
	Millipore 13mm membrane filters 0.45µm filter pore size, MF-Type (mixed cellulose esters)
	Nitrogen supply set at 345 kPa (50 PSI) with appropriate quick disconnect hose connection for pressure vessel. Beakers (1 Liter) Sample buckets (2 Liter)
	The lab equipment and supplies are available at Fisher Scientific and VWR. Printers are a commodity item available at office supply stores and online. Small industrial computers are available as an appliance with the software installed on flash memory.
Installation	Once you have obtained and installed the necessary laboratory equipment and computer hardware, attach the balance and verify the computer and balance are correctly configured. Ensure the requirments for the computer (COM1,LTP1, DOS window), specific balance with serial interface, and printer with parallel interface, have been met. Ethernet and USB interfaces are not supported. The software is provided as DOS executable via email or website download.
Procedure	A sample standardized filterability procedure is available. Winemaking stylistic considerations may lead to different b value thresholds. Large volume bottling runs will find fouling less acceptable. The program is set for: 13mm filter diameter 50 PSI pressure 20ºC temperature 10 samples at 60 second intervals These parameters have produced good consistant results within the existing client base for 20 years. The values are fixed and cannot be changed.
Sales and Support	Technical support is provided via e-mail, the Web, and telephone. On-site installation is available. Pricing available upon request. Contact: