What is the Best Hose Type for Nitrogen Flushing in the F&B Industry?

The hose for Nitrogen gas is Kynar Flex® 2800 from the Fluoropolymer family which has good resistance to a large number of industrial chemicals and gases. The hose is also food-grade certified, making it safe for applications in food and beverage (F&B) manufacturing, and is heat-resistant up to 90° and self-extinguishing (UL94 V0).

For information, that in the F&B industry, the use of Nitrogen gas is commonly applied, especially in the packaging process.

This practice is also known as Nitrogen Flushing, which is spraying Nitrogen gas into product packaging to make food or beverages more durable and long-lasting.

This method is safe to use as long as the Nitrogen used is still in the form of gas, in accordance with the provisions of BPOM. As for if the Nitrogen used is in the form of liquid, then this is very dangerous if consumed. very dangerous if consumed because it has a temperature of up to -196 ° C.

In this article, the Bawalaksana.id team would like to briefly discuss the use of Nitrogen in the F&B industry and the right type of hose to flow Nitrogen gas.

Nitrogen Application in F&B Manufacturing and its Benefits

Broadly speaking, the use of Nitrogen in F&B manufacturing aims to make food and beverages last longer, as well as to keep them from spoiling, changing flavors and inhibiting bacterial growth.

It should be noted that Nitrogen used in the industrial sector is in the form of gas, not in liquid form as found in contemporary foods such as “Chiki Ngebul” or “Ice Smoke”.

It is also applied by spraying it directly onto food or into food packaging. This method is called Nitrogen Flushing.

The following are some of the benefits of using Nitrogen gas in the F&B industry:

• Prevents oxidation and spoilage: Nitrogen is used to replace oxygen in food or beverage packaging. It is effective in preventing oxidation which is the cause of rancidity, discoloration, aroma, taste and nutrition of food.
• Protection against microbes: By reducing the oxygen content in the packaging, it inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungi, resulting in a longer shelf life of the food and its color.
• Maintaining food flavor and texture: The packaging process with Nitrogen Flushing helps in maintaining the freshness of the product, preventing changes in the flavor and texture of food and beverages.
• Maintaining food integrity: Nitrogen gas filling in the packaging of snacks such as chips, also prevents the food from getting crushed or spoiled.

Next, we will explain the types of pneumatic hoses that are compatible for Nitrogen Flushing applications in F&B manufacturing.

Type of Food Grade Pneumatic Hose for Feeding Nitrogen Gas

Although the application of Nitrogen gas in the F&B industry is common, questions such as, “What type of hose is compatible for Nitrogen gas?” often arise.

For your information, the Nitrogen Flushing in F&B manufacturing is an integral part of the pneumatic system.

Therefore, the use of Nitrogen gas compatible hoses needs to be carefully considered. So that pneumatic hoses are not prone to leaks or ruptures that cause losses of up to hundreds of millions.

Keep in mind, that pneumatic hoses used in the F&B sector are food grade hoses that are safe when interacting with food and exposed to Nitrogen gas.

Currently, there are several basic materials that are commonly used in industrial pneumatic systems, such as:

• Polyurethane (PU)
• Polyethylene (PE)
• Polyamide (PA), also includes Nylon hose
• Fluoropolymer, including Teflon (PTFE) hoses

However, not all types of hoses are compatible and safe to convey Nitrogen gas, especially for specific applications in F&B manufacturing.

Based on the experience of our team of experts and test results from industrial tubing manufacturers, Fluoropolymer hoses are the best choice for flowing Nitrogen gas.

Although Nitrogen gas is inert and chemically unreactive, for safety and reliability reasons, choosing a fully tested hose is the best decision.

That way, you can ensure product quality and safety during the Nitrogen Flushing process into food and beverage products.

Why is fluoropolymer hose the best choice for delivering nitrogen gas?

Tests conducted by industrial tubing manufacturer, Mebra Plastik of Italy, show that hoses from the Fluoropolymer family can be used to flow Nitrogen gas.

More specifically, the Kynar Flex® 2800 has been designed for applications in the F&B industry (see table above or download Chemical Resistance Table).

Here are some explanations for each symbol contained in the Chemical Resistance table:

• R : Resistant
• nr : Not Resistant
• L : Limited resistance (possible inflating/crystallizing action)
• – : Chemical not tested
• O : Resistant (on PTFE/FEP/PFA products where it’s not been possible to test all chemicals in the product’s wide working temperatures range, it has been given only a general resistance to the chemical without specifying the maximum working temperature when under the effect of the aggressive agent)

Based on the references we have provided above, Polyamide (PA) hoses are generally less compatible for flowing Nitrogen gas (limited resistance).

At the same time, PA hoses are a type of material that is not intended for processes that come into contact with food or beverages.

Meanwhile, Polyurethane (PU) and Polyethylene (PE) hoses, although FDA-certified and categorized as food grade hoses, do not have sufficient evidence to be permitted for Nitrogen Flushing applications.

Another option is Kynar® HD4000, but this type of hose is not permitted for applications in the F&B sector.

Specification of Kynar Flex® 2800 Hose for Nitrogen Gas

The best recommended hoses for Nitrogen gas from Fluoropolymer material are Kynar Flex® 2800. This product is food grade certified and can be used for pneumatic systems within an operating range of -40°C to 90°C.

The following are some of the advantages and characteristics of the Kynar Flex® 2800 hose:

• Does not release harmful substances into food according to CE Reg standards. 1935/2004.
• Does not alter the composition, taste or odor of food (CE Reg. 1935/2004).
• Material is non-reactive to food (CE Reg. 10/2011).
• Resistant to UV light, mold, and most chemicals and industrial gases including ozone and Nitrogen.
• It is heat resistant and self-extinguishing (UL94 V0).

Based on the technical specifications of Kynar Flex® 2800 hose above, this tubing is ideal for Nitrogen Flushing applications in F&B manufacturing.

Moreover, this hose can also be used for disinfection processes that use ozone gas or for ozone generator machines. In fact, it can be used for a variety of demanding applications in the industrial and automotive process sectors.

Use the Right Food Grade Pneumatic Hose for Production Plant Efficiency

Pneumatic hoses are like the lifeblood of a pneumatic automation system. When the hose is easily damaged or leaks, it will make the system waste air and energy.

Please note, that Efficiency of Pneumatic Automation System is influenced by many factors, including air pressure and flow rate, as well as mechanical friction and component size.

Choosing the right type of hose contributes significantly to maintaining pneumatic plant efficiency and production quality. In applications in critical sectors such as F&B manufacturing, choosing the best quality hose is no longer an option.

In fact, using food-grade hoses for this sector is also a moral responsibility and an industry norm that needs to be met.

PT. Bawalaksana Central Industrial is the Authorized Distributor for Mebra Plastik Italia which is a specialist manufacturer of pneumatic hose and industrial tubing.

We can supply a wide selection range of high-quality industrial hoses for various applications, such as:

• Compressed air or vacuum for pneumatic systems
• ATEX environment (for applications that are concerned with static electricity)
• Welding environment (susceptible to sparks)
• Drain oil, grease and lubricators
• Steam for petrochemical or power plants
• Transfer of chemical substances or corrosive gases
• Industrial automation
• Cable protection for energy chain or cable carrier
• And there are many more

We have created a complete guide to How to Choose Pneumatic Hoseso you can determine the right type of hose for specific applications in your industry.

If you are looking for high-quality pneumatic hose or industrial tubing for specific applications in your industry, please contact our team of sales engineers.

Connect with our professional team by clicking the Contact Us button below.

Romanta Pinrih Linuwih

Pneumatic Automation Systems Expert

This article was written in collaboration with Romanta Pinrih Linuwih, an expert in Pneumatic Automation Systems, to ensure accuracy and high quality insights.