Clean-in-place (CIP) systems use a mix of chemicals, heat, and water to thoroughly clean process pipes, vessels, and machinery without the need to dismantle the entire setup.
Several industries rely heavily on CIP, particularly those requiring optimal sanitation and hygiene throughout critical processes. At Highland, for instance, we frequently provide CIP systems for a wide range of industries, including pharmaceutical, food and beverage, dairy, brewery, and cosmetics manufacturing.
CIP procedures can be used for a wide range of applications, such as:
- Process Piping
- Pumps
- Mixers
- Blenders
- Processing Vessels
- Fillers
- Vats
- Product Transfer Lines
Highly efficient and reliable, clean-in-place techniques are primarily used to remove soil and debris, essentially anything that shouldn’t be present in a clean vessel.
Clean-In-Place System Capabilities and Specifications
Designed to be installed in — and remain in — industrial tanks and vessels, CIP systems formulate and pump cleaning solutions into piping, tanks, and vessels that need to be cleaned. CIP spray nozzles or spray devices are installed in vessels to allow cleaning liquids to be pumped through these containers, rendering them sanitary and ready for the next process.
Depending on the size of the plant to be cleaned and the scope of the task at hand, different size CIP systems can be installed; once-through single tank systems to multi-tank reuse systems can all be used to meet specific application needs.
For the largest, most complex jobs, an initial water rinse may be done with either warm or hot water. Then, an acid wash may be completed, followed by an alkali wash, and finally, a detergent wash. Depending on the nature of the plant, the cleaning process may end with clean water, deionized water, demineralized water, or high-purity water. In the case of pharmaceutical factories, for instance, if the tank or vessel to be cleaned is used to make injectables, there may be a final wash with high-purity water.
In some situations, a number of different tanks may be required. Some CIP systems are rather small; they can even be designed for skidded systems and/or mobile carts, depending on the size of the tank to be cleaned. In large facilities, such as dairy plants, large tanks are often required, with countless components that need to be cleaned. In such cases, experts can create tailored cleaning systems and cycles based on careful calculations of how much time must be spent on the cleaning process.
The entire cleaning process can be automated and recorded, as well. In fact, it’s critical that large facilities keep thorough records of all cleaning cycles to ensure successful inspections and compliance with all relevant health and safety standards. Records must show that tanks were cleaned properly after each batch; the temperatures held throughout the cycle must be documented; and the total amount of cleaning liquid or detergent actually used must be recorded.
Highland Equipment supplies companies with complete, customized CIP systems, and also incorporate CIP systems into existing processes.
Highland’s Services and Capabilities
Highland Equipment offers end-to-end project management, from equipment design and manufacturing to system integration, installation, and ongoing technical support. Our team works closely with customers to develop cost-effective solutions that can meet even the most challenging application-specific requirements, and all equipment is designed to comply with relevant codes and standards.
Our cutting-edge fabrication shop is outfitted for the shearing, sawing, bending, cutting, forming, and machining of stainless steel coil, sheet, plate, tubing, and bar stock. We operate a state-of-the-art welding department, and our team of welders have years of experience meeting the most stringent criteria for weld penetration and creating smooth I.D. and O.D. welds with accurate joint fit-up.
Comprehensive quality control is practiced throughout all phases of fabrication, and our team performs thorough weld inspection to ensure joints are flawless. Plus, our professional field crews are experienced in all aspects of the assembly and erection of piping systems in accordance with ASME codes and standards.
As a fabrication shop, Highland Equipment is ASME Section VIII Division 1 certified and National Board “U” Stamp registered. We also comply with CSA B51 and U.S. Dairy 3A. As a recognized leader in sanitary fabrication, our team is proud to have completed thousands of installations across North America.
Learn More
To learn more about Highland Equipment’s custom sanitary process equipment fabrication capabilities, or to set up a consultation regarding a cutting-edge CIP system for your specific needs, contact the team today.