X-Remove
Removal of Volatile Phenols
The X-Remove system is designed to address specific issues in wines, targeting defects precisely without altering the entire product matrix.
Operating Principle
The process is based on selective membrane filtration, which separates the wine into two distinct streams:
Concentrate – Retains most of the wine’s compounds and undergoes no treatment.
Permeate – Contains a portion of the wine’s components, including those to be removed. The goal is to isolate the defect with maximum precision, avoiding the loss of other valuable elements.
For example, when removing 4-ethylphenol and 4-ethylguaiacol, our selective membrane can retain between 60% and 70% of them, demonstrating high specificity.
Adsorption Phase
After separation, the permeate is treated with an absorbent bed specifically designed to capture the defects. In our case, we use plant-based carbons, which are replaced once their adsorption capacity is exhausted.
Final Phase
The purified permeate is then recombined with the concentrate, restoring the wine’s balance without compromising its organoleptic characteristics.
A diagram of the process is available.
1The wine is separated into two fractions, 80–90% Concentrate and 10–20% Permeate, through molecular membrane filtration.
2The Permeate, rich in the target compound, is sent through an absorbent bed capable of retaining or modifying the specific substance.
3The treated Permeate is recombined with the Concentrate, which has not undergone any processing, and returned to the tank, creating a closed-loop system and avoiding transfers to other tanks.
4Real-time analytical and sensory monitoring until the desired oenological goal is achieved.
Advantages of the X-Remove System
✔ A wine as intact as possible – Compared to other more invasive methods, X-Remove better preserves the original quality of the product.
✔ A controlled process manageable in real time – The system operates similarly to dialysis on individual tanks, running continuously and under inert gas to preserve the wine.
✔ Advanced monitoring – Thanks to a mathematical model based on experience, we can predict the reduction of defects and stop the process at the optimal moment.
✔ Patented technology – X-Remove was developed and patented by Clevertek to reduce levels of volatile phenols and quercetin, ensuring effective and repeatable results. Tests conducted on various types of wine have shown up to a 70% reduction in volatile phenols, while preserving the wine’s original sensory characteristics.
A Tailored Service to Meet Your Needs
Clevertek offers the possibility to carry out treatments directly at the customer’s premises, with availability throughout the national territory and the option to evaluate international interventions upon request.
🔹 On-site trial – We are available to organize a test directly at your facility to demonstrate the effectiveness of the system on your production.