(CIP) that is, Clean-in-Place, is a method of cleaning pipes, tanks, process equipment, filters and all related connecting parts in place, without dismantling them.
Until the 1950s, closed systems were dismantled and cleaned by hand. The emergence of CIP provided a major advantage for industries that require frequent internal cleaning, such as the food and pharmaceutical sectors. The use of CIP has become mandatory in many fields, particularly carbonated beverages, dairy products, pharmaceuticals and pharmacology, cosmetics, and food.
The advantages provided by the CIP process are:
- It is much faster than normal washing processes.
- The hygiene achieved after washing is far greater than with the old system.
- Since the washing system is automated, the possibility of human error is eliminated.
- Since the washing process is very easy and fast, it can be repeated very easily.
- It is highly reliable.
In a CIP system, pipes and valves are cleaned using a turbulent liquid flow mode to achieve maximum cleaning effect. Fixed or rotating spray balls are used at this stage. Large tanks are cleaned with a dynamic, high-energy spray jet that cuts through dirt films and loose deposits.
There are two important criteria in washing: temperature and the chemical detergent used. These criteria vary depending on the industry and the company's choice.
Source: GEA CIP Process Solutions
