Overcoming 7 Clean-in-Place Challenges

 In a recent issue of Dairy Reporter, Kyle Knutson, product manager for Emerson, talked about ways that dairy operations can minimize product and utility waste, primarily by improving their clean-in-place (CIP) operation. CIP is performed at virtually every dairy plant at least once a day by circulating water and chemicals through circuits of the plant to remove any product deposits and ensure the process equipment and pipework are clean/sterile and ready for the next process to be run.

Kyle notes that all dairy operations share 7 CIP challenges – (1) product left in pipes, (2) chemical holding tanks, (3) CIP processes running too long, (4) detection of the milk and water phases, (5) maintaining turbulence for cleanliness, (6) steam trap failure, and (7) utility steam heating. He then goes on to note the straightforward solutions to these problems using the proper instrumentation. For example, an advanced surface temperature solution produces accurate process temperature data without the need for pipe penetration that might interfere with pigging. In holding tanks, a hygienic pressure transmitter with high accuracy at low-pressure ranges allows for repeatable and accurate readings.

Limiting the length of CIP processes requires two critical measurements. Accurate temperature measurements with drift alert and hot backup ensures temperature stays online and limits the need for additional CIP runs. Conductivity is also important to identify fluid changeover within a CIP process. Kyle also describes the correct use of Coriolis meters, wireless acoustic transmitters, and multivariable differential pressure transmitters.

While this interesting article is written for dairy operations, it can be useful to any plant that performs CIP. Click HERE to read the entire article.

What challenges do you experience in CIP?