Skip to content

SOP — PAA Aeration Line Sanitation

FUERST WIACEK Version 1.0 | Brewhouse — aeration line / O₂ injection point | Frequency: first brew of the week (typically Tuesday)

Purpose

The aeration line is the flexible hose that connects the O₂ bottle to the aeration unit at the heat exchanger. The line runs only pure oxygen — no liquid wort passes through it — so no physical cleaning (CIP) is required.

However, the connection points are exposed to the brewery environment and can accumulate microbial contamination during idle periods, particularly over the weekend or after any extended break. Before the first brew of the week, the entire aeration line is dipped in PAA to sanitise it. After use, the line is sealed and stored on the connection point to maintain sanitation until next use.

The brewhouse swing bend section of the wortway (the part that connects into the CIP circuit) is cleaned as part of the Wortway CIP — this SOP covers the flexible O₂ line only.

When to Run

Trigger Action
First brew of the week Dip before connecting the O₂ bottle
After extended downtime (> 3 days with no brewing) Dip before reconnecting
Line was left open / not capped after last use Dip again before connecting

For consecutive brew days (same-day or next-day brewing), the dip is not required — provided the line was properly closed after the previous use.

PPE Required

  • Safety goggles
  • Chemical-resistant gloves

Equipment

Process

1. Use the Existing PAA Bath

Use the PAA bath that is already prepared and in use. Do not prepare a separate container — the shared bath is the correct concentration.

2. Confirm O₂ Bottle is Closed

Before handling the aeration line, confirm the O₂ bottle valve is fully closed.

3. Dip the Entire Line in PAA

Aeration line fully submerged in PAA bath

  1. Submerge the entire flexible aeration line in the PAA bath.
  2. Ensure PAA fills the inside of the line — not just the outside.
  3. Leave the line in the bath for up to a few hours. There is no strict minimum — even a short soak sanitises the connection points. Do not leave overnight.

4. Drain and Connect

When you are ready to use the line:

  1. Lift the line out of the PAA bath and allow the PAA to drain from the inside.
  2. Confirm the O-ring is correctly seated in the connection fitting.
  3. Spray all connection parts and fittings with alcohol.
  4. Connect to the O₂ bottle.
  5. Test aeration pressure per Wort Knockout SOP — Step 3 before proceeding to brew.

5. After Use — Storage

When the brew is complete and the aeration line is disconnected from the O₂ bottle:

  1. Close all valves on the aeration line.

  2. Hang the line on the DN25 connection point.

    Aeration line stored between brews — all valves closed, connected to the DN25 connection point

The line stays sealed and connected at the DN25 point between brews. If it was left open or not properly closed, re-dip in PAA before the next use.

Checklist

  • [ ] O₂ bottle confirmed closed
  • [ ] Entire aeration line submerged in PAA bath, PAA filling the inside
  • [ ] Line soaked (up to a few hours, not overnight)
  • [ ] Line lifted and PAA drained
  • [ ] O-ring confirmed correctly seated
  • [ ] Connection parts sprayed with alcohol
  • [ ] Line connected to O₂ bottle
  • [ ] Aeration pressure test passed (Wort Knockout SOP step 3)
  • [ ] After brew: line closed (capped/plugged) and hung on DN25 connection

Troubleshooting

Issue Likely Cause Action
Aeration pressure test fails after dip O-ring not seated, or line kinked Re-seat O-ring. Check line for kinks. If still fails, inspect upstream for blockage or damage.
Line left open overnight / over weekend Forgot to cap after previous use Re-dip in PAA before connecting.
PAA bath visibly soiled Bath past its useful life Replace bath per Chemical Baths SOP. Do not use a contaminated bath.