What Is Clean-in-Place (CIP)? How It Works and Why It Matters

What Is Cleaning-in-Place (CIP)?

CIP is defined as a method of cleaning equipment whilst maintaining minimal dismantling, and with the least possible operator involvement. CIP has been used in industry for approximately 50 years — mostly within, but not exclusively to, hygienic industries such as food, beverage and pharmaceutical.

How Does CIP Work?

CIP works on the principle of applying a suitable detergent or solvent at a satisfactory flow, pressure, temperature and concentration, for the correct length of time. The science is based on applying the required amount of energy to the equipment to ensure it is hygienically cleaned. Primarily, three energies are needed:

1. Thermal energy — provided by the solution temperature

2. Chemical energy — through the use of detergents or solvents

3. Kinetic energy — the application of pipeline velocities or pressures

The Benefits of CIP

• Allows validatable procedures to be carried out — consistently reproducible, repeatable and with controllable results

• Reduced cleaning time and increased productivity through less downtime

• Automatic cycle ensures every item is cleaned every time

• Reduced chemical handling, improving health and safety — while stronger chemicals and higher temperatures can be used than with manual cleaning

• Cost savings on chemicals, water, effluent and labour time

• Batch traceability and records — vital in the hygienic industries

• Enables more complex processing systems, as there is no need to dismantle equipment

• Environmental benefits, including savings on energy, chemicals, water and effluent generated

Ampco Hygienic Centrifugal Pumps for CIP

Ampco offers a complete line of hygienic centrifugal pumps that conform with 3A hygienic standards. High-efficiency, heavy-duty LC, LD, LF, LH and SP Series pumps are designed to meet all hygienic centrifugal pump applications, and most L Series pumps are interchangeable hydraulically and dimensionally with competing brands — the perfect equipment to deliver the CIP cleaning process to your processing equipment. AC/AC+ pumps are a cost-effective option for most hygienic applications, with the AC+ models incorporating an improved shaft design for longer seal life.

The Result of CIP

In-place cleaning results in equipment being thoroughly clean — defined as the removal of all residues of soil and all CIP agents, so that contact with the cleaned surface does not result in physical contamination. If the equipment also needs to be microbiologically clean, an additional process called SIP (Sterilisation-in-Place) can be carried out.

To discuss CIP pump solutions for your process, contact Torqueflow-Sydex on +44 (0)23 8212 8627 or info@sydexpumpuk.com.