SLBC ENGINEERS
Today’s blog is about the -growing use of a caustic accelerator in the Brew Kettle.
What is a caustic accelerator? How should it be used? What does is do? and what
are the benefits? Over the last 5-6 years an increased number of customers have
requested information on a caustic accelerator as they have read in other blogs
that it optimizes the Caustic cycle.
A caustic accelerator is a liquid or powder blend that has an oxidizer. Most
commonly this oxidizer is hydrogen peroxide. The oxidizer enhances the alkalinity
of the caustic blend. A quick chemical reaction occurs between the caustic blends
and the accelerator that does increase the alkalinity for a short time. Many
brewers see great benefits within the use of a caustic accelerator in the kettle.
The SLBC engineering team does see strong benefits in its use with the following
notes.
SLBC Lab notes:
The accelerator should only be used within applications that can use hot water
130⁰+. A hydrogen peroxide-based solution and a caustic based solution are
optimized within hot water. Knowing that the PH of hydrogen peroxide is acidic it
crucial to allow the hydrogen peroxide to work within the presence of hot water.
If no, hot water is accessible, then an accelerator should not be used. It could have
a reverse effect and minimize the PH of the caustic solution.
The caustic cycle should be running/circulating for 3-4 minutes prior to releasing
the accelerator solution into the Kettle. The caustic needs to begin its process to
be accelerated. If the accelerator is blended at the same time as the caustic is
blending with the water, it may reverse the effect and decrease the alkalinity of
the caustic solution. The accelerator should be applied after the caustic solutions
have circulated for 3-4 minutes.
Further discussions
• Brewers have related to us that caustic accelerator allows them to
minimalize the use of a Low Dose Acid Rinse as the accelerator aids within
the neutralization of any caustic film from the caustic cycle
• Brewers have expressed that the accelerator allows them to shorten the
caustic cycle to 15 minutes as the high alkalinity impact is only 10 15
minutes and the water neutralizes quickly after 15 minutes.
Note:
Stone-Leigh Brew Cleaners offer two options within Caustic Accelerators. A
powder and liquid.
• SL Oxide SC- Liquid
• SL OXIDE BM -Powder