For those in the food processing industry, you may be familiar with the process of sanitizing a filling machine, also known as cleaning in place (CIP). CIP helps avoid bacterial contamination during the production of drinks meant for human consumption. Until recently, this process had to be done manually and it can be quite a task. However, with the advent of CIP technology, it can now be automated. This saves time and money in food processing and serving operations.
The Automated CIP Process
The CIP process essentially breaks down to four key stages:
- Rinsing of equipment with hot water to remove flavor/sugar particles.
- Circulating a hot water (or steam) and caustic soda solution for deeper cleaning.
- Final hot water rinse.
- Secondary sanitization with steam or cold water solution with peracetic acid.
CIP was originally a manual procedure that used a balance tank, centrifugal pump and a connection to the system that was being cleaned. It has evolved to include fully automated systems with much more complex systems and logic controllers.
CIP Benefits
Some of the benefits associated with automated CIP system include:
- Faster cleaning process
- Less labor-intensive
- Repeatable/consistent results
- Safety (less risk of chemical exposure or steam/hot water burns)
- More economical use of cleaning detergents
- Increased storage space utilization in equipment
- More effective cleaning of places that are hard to reach manually
- Increased plant productivity
SEEPEX CIP Food Pumps
SEEPEX is a leading manufacturer of CIP-capable pumps for food processing operations. They are also used commonly in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and chemical industries where a clean, sterile and hygienic environment is crucial. SEEPEX CIP pumps are compliant with even the most stringent hygiene regulations, including FDA, EHEDG and 3-A Sanitary Standards.
Other benefits of SEEPEX CIP food pumps include high-grade construction for exceptional safety and durability, ease of installation and maintenance, dead-space-free pump casings to prevent product build-up and multiple mechanical seal options to ensure hygienic shaft sealing. They also offer sterilization in place (SIP) capabilities, using superheated steam to sterilize the pump completely.
To learn more about SEEPEX and their CIP food pumps and accessories, contact Cortech Engineering today. We’ll walk you through all your CIP system options and help you find the best pump for your specific application.