Procedure of Cleaning in Place of Process

The CIP process may be applied to process circuit (piping systems) and associated process equipment by re-circulating rinse, detergent, and sanitizing solutions through circuits comprising of re-circulating unit consisting of pump(s), valve(s) and supply tanks to perform series of above operations. The cleaning-in-place operation is usually done in the following manner:

•  Take clean and soft water of required quantity in each CIP tank (cool /hot water, detergent, acid and sanitizer tanks). Maintain the concentration and temperature of each tank. For this the tank should be fitted with temperature and pH indicators.
•  As soon as processing is over, flush the equipment/container/process circuit with clean and soft cool water so that residual milk/milk product comes out.
•  After flushing is over pre-rinse with clean water at normal ambient temperature for 10 minutes to loosen the adhered milk/milk product comes out.
•  Now circulate detergent solution of 0.5 to 1.0% concentration and maintain recirculation at 70 to 75°C for 25 to 30 minutes or as desired in the CIP design.
•  Now circulate hot water maintained at 80°C for 10 minutes.
•  If required to remove water scale and milk stone by circulating acid solution of 0.5 to 1.0 or as decided in the CIP programme of dairy at 65-70°C for 25 to 30 minutes. Usually acid circulation is done at certain set intervals (say one week or fortnight period) and therefore skip this step in the daily/routine CIP.
•  If acid is circulated then rinse by circulating water at ambient temperature for 10 minutes and then again circulate the detergent solution for 25 to 30 minutes as described in the previous step.
•  Flush with water for 10 minutes.
•  Circulate hot water maintained at 80o to 85°C for 15 to 20 minutes to get sterilization of the surface.