¶ 1. Overview: What It Does
The BrewOps Purge was created to solve a long-standing problem in brewing: the lack of visibility into the purging process for brite tanks and fermenters. Traditionally, brewers relied on:
- Time-based methods – Purging for a set duration without knowing if it was enough
- Flow and pressure calculations – Complex and often impractical for daily operations
- Smelling for CO₂ strength – Highly subjective and inconsistent
These methods were unreliable, often leading to over-purging, which wastes CO₂, or under-purging, increasing the risk of dissolved oxygen contamination.
¶ Two Primary Uses of the BrewOps Purge
-
Purging Brite Tanks Before Beer Transfer
- Ensures sufficient oxygen removal before transferring beer, preventing oxidation
- Avoids excessive CO₂ or N₂ usage by stopping purging at the right time
-
Purging Fermenters Before Caustic CIP
- Confirms CO₂ has been fully removed before introducing caustic
- Prevents chemical neutralization, ineffective cleaning, and potential vacuum damage to the tank
¶ A Smarter, More Reliable Solution
We knew there had to be a better way. Working alongside brewers, we designed the BrewOps Purge—a rugged, easy-to-use oxygen sensor that provides real-time feedback on purge progress. Instead of guessing, brewers can now:
- Instant purge feedback via LED indicators and BrewOps app
- Reduce CO₂ waste by stopping purges at the right moment
- Prevent tank damage by confirming full CO₂ removal before CIP
When paired with the BrewOps Gateway, historical purge records allow brewers to refine their SOPs, reducing CO₂ usage while maintaining quality and efficiency.
¶ Built for Brewers, Used Worldwide
Today, breweries of all sizes use the BrewOps Purge to:
- Streamline their purging process
- Optimize CO₂ and N₂ usage and reduce waste
- Improve consistency and efficiency in daily operations
The BrewOps Purge was built to solve a real problem, and it’s helping brewers make better, data-driven decisions every day.
¶ 2. Technical Specifications
| Category | Details | Range/Units |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | UV-rated polycarbonate cover, 316 stainless steel base, PTFE sensing membrane | N/A |
| Installation | 1½” tri-clamp, EPDM gaskets, custom tee adapter | N/A |
| Dimensions | 5 ½” x 2 ½” (excluding adapter) | Inches |
| Maintenance | Auto-calibration, OTA updates | N/A |
| Cleaning | Wipe membrane with 3% H₂O₂ (no alcohols) | N/A |
| Oxygen Sensor | Optical | 0-25% O₂, 0.01%/0.1mbar resolution, 99%+ accuracy, >5 years lifetime |
| Communication | BLE 5.0, app & optional gateway | N/A |
| Battery | 3.6V lithium thionyl chloride, replaceable | >2 years lifetime |
| Notifications | LED alerts, remote via BrewOps app | N/A |
| Operating Temp. | -4 to 140°F | Fahrenheit |
| Certifications | RoHS, FCC, IC, CE, IP66 | N/A |
¶ 3. Getting to Know Your BrewOps Purge
¶ Packaging & Contents
- Protective Carry Case (1): Stores the BrewOps Purge and accessories.
- Hang Tag & Chain (2/3): Quick reference instructions for purging.
- Tri-Clamp Accessories (5/6): Includes gaskets and a custom tee adapter.
¶ Purge Exterior
- Top Lens (1): Clear polycarbonate lens with LED indicator lights.
- Top Housing (2): UV-rated polycarbonate body, removable for battery access.
- Bottom Housing (3): 316 stainless steel base with a 1.5" tri-clamp sanitary fitting.
- Relief Vents (4): Allow gas to escape while maintaining positive pressure.
- Sensing Membrane (5): Optical sensing capsule with an oxygen-permeable membrane.
¶ 4. How to Use the BrewOps Purge with the BrewOps App
The BrewOps Purge sensor allows brewers to accurately track and optimize their purge process, ensuring proper oxygen removal before transferring beer or starting a CIP cycle. Follow the steps below to connect, calibrate, and monitor your purge.
¶ Step 1: Select the Bright Tank in the App
- Open the BrewOps App and select the bright tank you want to purge.
- Tap the Purge icon in the upper-left corner above the bright tank image.
- A list of available BrewOps Purge sensors will appear. Select the sensor you plan to use.
- The sensor status bar will change as follows:
- Grey → Not connected
- Yellow → Connecting
- Green → Connected
- The sensor’s LED lights will blink blue when successfully connected.
- Tap Next to proceed.
¶ Step 2: Calibrate the Sensor (If Needed)
If calibration is required, a pop-up warning will appear:
"Heads Up! Your device’s zero-point calibration is out of range. Please recalibrate before your next purge."
¶ Calibration Process
- Connect N₂ or CO₂ gas to the tri-clamp fitting on the sensor.
- Set your gas regulator to 2.5–5 psi.
- In the app, tap Begin Calibration at the bottom of the screen.
- The app will return to the equipment screen, and the sensor LED will blink red during calibration.
- Calibration takes approximately 5 minutes.
Warning: Do not select the sensor during calibration, or you will get an error message.
¶ Step 3: Start the Purge
- After calibration is complete, tap Start Purge in the app.
- First-time user? Watch the setup and maintenance video if prompted, then tap Next.
¶ Fill Out the Purge Details
- Fill Pressure → Set your regulator’s pressure and input the value.
- Gas Type → Select N₂, CO₂, or other.
- Purge Method → Select your purge method (this is for record-keeping and does not affect sensor function).
- Low and Slow → Purge slowly from the bottom and vent out the top.
- Fill and Release → Pressurize the tank, then vent quickly and repeat.
- Other → Custom purge methods, e.g., slow N₂ purge through the vent arm and out the bottom.
- Enable Custom Threshold (Optional) →
- Select between Dissolved Oxygen (ppb) or Gaseous Oxygen (% O₂).
- Tap Start Purge.
¶ Step 4: Monitor the Purge
- Once the purge begins, a green “Success” pop-up confirms the process has started.
- Remain near the sensor for 30 seconds to ensure successful settings upload.
- The icon above the equipment will change from grey → green, indicating the purge is active.
¶ Sensor LED Indicators
- Blinks blue → Purge is in progress.
- Blinks green → Target oxygen level has been reached.
¶ In-App Purge Monitoring
The app displays real-time data, including:
- Dissolved Oxygen (ppb)
- Gaseous Oxygen (% and ppm)
¶ Step 5: Stop the Purge
- When the purge is complete, tap Stop Purge in the app.
- The sensor status bar will change as follows:
- Orange → Stopping
- Yellow → Disconnecting
- Grey → Session ended
- A green “Success” pop-up confirms the purge has stopped.
- If the pop-up doesn’t appear, wait up to 30 seconds to ensure the process fully stops.
- The icon above the equipment will turn from green → grey, indicating the session has ended.
¶ Dissolved Oxygen vs. Gaseous Oxygen
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Dissolved Oxygen (DO, in ppb) | Measures oxygen dissolved in the liquid. |
| Gaseous Oxygen (% O₂) | Measures oxygen concentration in the tank environment. |
| Relationship | DO is calculated based on gaseous oxygen %. The app displays both values separately for better clarity. |
By following these steps, brewers can improve purge efficiency, reduce gas waste, and maintain optimal product quality using the BrewOps Purge.
¶ 5. How to Reverse Purge Using the BrewOps Purge and App
Before cleaning a fermentation or brite tank, a reverse purge pushes CO₂ out with air. Removing CO₂ before cleaning is critical to prevent the formation of carbonic acid, which can:
- Reduce the effectiveness of caustic and acid cleaners.
- Increase cleaning times due to chemical neutralization.
- Potentially damage equipment over time.
The BrewOps Purge provides real-time oxygen monitoring to help brewers execute a proper reverse purge efficiently.
¶ Step 1: Select Your Equipment
- Open the BrewOps App and select the brite tank, fermenter, or pump you want to reverse purge.
- Tap the Reverse Purge icon in the upper-left corner above the tank image.
- A list of available BrewOps Purge sensors will appear. Select the sensor you plan to use.
- The sensor status bar will change as follows:
- Grey → Not connected
- Yellow → Connecting
- Green → Connected
- The sensor’s LED lights will blink blue when successfully connected.
- Tap Next to continue.
¶ Step 2: Start the Reverse Purge
¶ Reverse Purge Details
- Fill Pressure → Set your regulator’s pressure and input the value in the app.
- Gas Type → Select the gas you’re using (N₂, CO₂, or other).
- Purge Method → Choose your method (for record-keeping only; this does not affect sensor function):
- Low and Slow → Purge slowly from the vent arm and out the bottom.
- Fill and Release → Pressurize the tank to a set pressure, then release quickly and repeat.
- Other → Custom methods (e.g., purging through the vent arm and out the bottom when using N₂).
- Enable Custom Threshold (Optional) → Set your desired final oxygen level (maximum is 20%).
- Tap Start Purge to begin the process.
¶ Step 3: Monitor the Reverse Purge
- Once the purge begins, a green “Success” pop-up confirms the process has started.
- Remain near the sensor for 30 seconds to ensure successful settings upload.
- The icon above the equipment will change from grey → green, indicating the purge is active.
¶ Sensor LED Indicators
- Blinks blue → The purge is running.
- Blinks green → The target oxygen level has been reached.
¶ In-App Reverse Purge Monitoring
The app will display real-time data, including:
- Gaseous Oxygen (%)
¶ Predefined Oxygen Zones
- Zone 2 starts at 20% because atmospheric oxygen is 20.9%.
- Users can set a lower target if they prefer not to reverse purge to 20.9%.
¶ Step 4: Stop the Reverse Purge
- When the reverse purge is complete, tap Stop Purge in the app.
- The sensor status bar will change as follows:
- Orange → Stopping
- Yellow → Disconnecting
- Grey → Session ended
- A green “Success” pop-up confirms the purge has stopped.
- If the pop-up doesn’t appear, wait up to 30 seconds to ensure the process fully stops.
- The icon above the equipment will turn from green → grey, indicating the session has ended.
By following these steps, brewers can ensure full CO₂ removal before cleaning, prevent cleaning agent neutralization, and improve tank maintenance and efficiency.
¶ 6. Use and Care
Do NOT use alcohol-based cleaners on the sensing membrane. Only clean with 3% hydrogen peroxide to avoid permanent damage.
¶ Exterior Surfaces
- Wipe down with a clean, damp cloth.
- Do not use caustic, acidic, or alcohol-based cleaners.
¶ Relief Vents
- Ensure the four relief vents are clear of debris.
- If necessary, use a paperclip or similar tool to remove obstructions.
¶ Sensing Capsule
- The white Teflon membrane protects electronics while allowing oxygen gas to permeate.
- Alcohol-based cleaners will permanently damage the membrane.
- For sanitization, use only a damp rag soaked in 3% hydrogen peroxide.
Do not submerge the device in liquid. Irreversible damage will occur, voiding the warranty.