Current Scenario
As of today, the imported machine costing र35 to 40 lakh, has cleaning in place systems, based on the vacuum cleaning technology. It is a fully automatic machine of nearly seven ton capacity.
The primary reason for the application of effective sanitizing procedures is to reduce those disease organisms which may be present on equipment or utensils after cleaning to a safe level and thus preventing the transfer of such organisms to the ultimate consumer.
Clean-in-Place systems have an automated cleaning system generally used in conjunction with permanent welded pipeline systems. In CIP cleaning, fluid turbulence in pipelines is considered to be the major source of energy required for soil removal.
Clean-out-of-place (COP) system ensures that many small parts can be washed most effectively in a recirculating parts washer (sometimes called COP-cleaned out of place). These units are similar to sanitary pipe washers in that a sanitary tank is generally utilized in combination with a recirculating pump and distribution headers that provide considerable agitation of the cleaning solution. In some cases, the washer for parts may also serve as the recirculating unit for CIP cleaning operations.
Other Traditional Cleaning Methods
Soaking – Small equipment or fittings or valves may be immersed in cleaning solutions in a sink while larger vessels such as vats and tanks may be partially filled with a pre-dissolved cleaning solution. The cleaning solution should be hot 50OC (125OF) and the equipment permitted to soak for 15-30 minutes before manual or mechanical scrubbing.
Foaming – This method utilizes a concentrated blend of surfactants developed to be added to highly concentrated solutions of either alkaline or acid cleaners. It will produce stable, copious foam when applied with a foam generator. The foam clings to the surface to be cleaned, increases contact time of the liquid with the soil and prevents rapid drying and runoff of the liquid cleaner, thereby improving cleaning.
Gelling – This method utilizes a concentrated powdered gelling agent which is dissolved in hot water to form a viscous gel. The desired cleaning product is dissolved in the hot gel and the resulting gelled acid or alkaline detergent is sprayed on the surface to be cleaned. The gelled cleaner will hold a thin film on the surface for 30 minutes or longer to attack the soil. Soil and gel are removed with a pressure warm water rinse.
