Quality measurement
Dissolved oxygen and TPO in carbonated filling.
For oxygen-sensitive drinks, the filling method should be specified around measurable oxygen pickup as well as carbonation and output.
Dissolved oxygen is the oxygen measured in the liquid phase. Total packaged oxygen considers oxygen in the liquid and the package headspace. In a beer, cider or RTD project, the useful conversation is not whether a machine is labelled “low oxygen”; it is which points will be measured, how samples will be taken, and what the buyer expects after filling and closing.
- Discuss tank preparation, CO₂ purging and transfer pipework before the filler.
- Review whether containers are purged, pressurised and closed quickly enough for the product.
- Agree how filled samples will be handled before measurement so results are comparable.
| Upstream product | Bright tank, carbonation equipment, hoses and pipework should be considered before judging filler performance. |
|---|---|
| Container preparation | Bottle or can purging, drainage and handling can affect oxygen pickup and foam. |
| Filling valve and venting | The pressure sequence, venting behaviour and fill height influence both oxygen pickup and presentation. |
| Closure timing | Delay between filling and crowning, capping or seaming can change headspace oxygen and carbonation loss. |
| Measurement method | Sampling method, measurement equipment, package temperature and timing can change the apparent result. |
Send the product type, whether yeast or particulates are present, target carbonation, current transfer method, container type, closure or can end, any existing oxygen measurements and whether the project needs a trial or site acceptance test. Without those details, oxygen performance can only be discussed as a qualitative requirement.
Reference note
Technical oxygen guidance should be agreed around a validated measurement method. Brewing analysis bodies such as MEBAK and EBC publish methods for total oxygen in packaged beer, and equipment suppliers provide oxygen-measurement instruments; those methods should be followed by competent operators where oxygen is a contractual acceptance point.
Buyer questions
Questions to resolve before specification.
Is TPO the same as dissolved oxygen?
No. TPO includes oxygen in the filled package headspace as well as oxygen dissolved in the drink.
Can a filler guarantee low oxygen without a test method?
A specification should not rely on an unsupported guarantee. Define the sampling method, package, timing and acceptance point.
Does oxygen matter for soft drinks?
It can matter for some formulations, flavours and shelf-life targets, but beer and cider projects usually treat oxygen control as a higher-priority packaging issue.
What should I send Lancing?
Send target oxygen requirements if known, current process details, product samples, package details, closure or end specifications and the planned measurement method.
Related guidance
Continue planning the carbonated filling route.
Compare compact, automatic, bottle, can and complete-line routes.
SpecificationCarbonated filler specification checklistSend consistent product, pack, output and utility details before quotation.
QualityCarbonated drink filling quality controlPlan foam, fill level, carbonation, oxygen and closure checks.
Low oxygenLow oxygen beer and cider fillingPlan oxygen-sensitive brewery and cider filling routes.
Ready to specify the route?
Send the product, package and output details.
Lancing can review the drink type, carbonation target, container, closure or seam route, target output, utilities and site requirements before recommending the machinery path.