CIP systems critical to validatable, cost-effective cleaning

摘要

Clean-in-place, commonly referred to as CIP, is an automated method of cleaning processing equipment without disassembly using validated procedures. Examples of equipment cleaned via CIP are tanks, process piping systems, filter housings, ductwork, conveyors, homogenizers, centrifugal separators, and heat exchangers. Prior to the advent of CIP, manual cleaning was the state-of-the art for processing equipment. Piping systems and processing equipment were disassembled and cleaned by hand. After cleaning, parts were reassembled and sanitized, and because of this, equipment size was severely limited. Pipe lengths of more than 10 feet were not possible because of handling limitations associated with manipulation of the pipe, power-brush cleaning, and wash-tank dimensions. Product storage tanks were also limited to a height of about 8 feet to allow an average-sized person to scrub ceilings and upper surfaces of walls with a brush on a pole.