Page 51 - FoodFocusThailand No.215 FEBRUARY 2024

STRONG QC & QA

cleaning or cleaning solutions. If such a return (CIPR) pipelines. A conductivity sensor (CT) will indicate the level of
scenario is unavoidable, cleaning solution chemical concentration or contamination in CIPR. The pipe network will inform
nozzles or dispensers may be installed in the control system or personnel about the current status before initiating the next
specific points or inaccessible areas, such step. Moreover, the CT significantly reduces unnecessary water, chemical, and
as at impeller blades installed at the sides energy use. On the contrary, inadequately set parameters will result in increased
of a tall tank, in the perimeter of the filling waste.
machine where product flows from the Most food factories employ the CIP method by setting the same parameter
inside to the outside. Driving chains and values for all equipment and machinery in the facility. Although this practice may
conveyor belts, which have many hard-to- enable the system to perform hygiene routines as required, it may not be the
access corners and constantly moving optimum setting for each area. For instance, in places where the manufacturing
parts. process does not potentially cause fouling on the inside of machinery, using an
Different mounting methods are involved acidic cleaning agent is unnecessary. In some cases, the enzymatic cleaning
when machines are assembled in the solution may be required to eliminate certain stains.
production line, such as piping, conveyor The utility system is another variable that should not be overlooked, especially
mounting, and application and relocation water for cleaning. High water hardness or inconsistent water quality will
of portable tanks or containers. Once the continuously result in auto-generated fouling. Another potential issue is when the
assembly is completed, all the previously level of microbes in water exceeds the established standards in multiple places.
mentioned hygiene principles must still be This can occur in a factory not designed, built, and controlled by hygiene principles.
adhered to. The critical consideration is that Such microbial presence will become the birthing point of many other unwanted
all areas and parts must be accessible for microorganisms that may later contaminate products, thus leading to damage
cleaning. There must be no closed-off areas such as corrosion of equipment pipelines and stainless steel parts.
that cleaning solutions cannot reach, and For the food industry, adherence to the hygienic design of processing
drainage must be feasible in every part of equipment and machinery from the beginning is notably an investment that is
the system. not excessively costly, especially in comparison with all other costs, ranging from
operational costs to costs per unit of production. Hygienic design is worthwhile
Consideration of CIP Parameters because it can prevent equipment and system damage, market opportunity loss,
Based on CIP principles, there will always and loss incurred by substandard products, all of which account for unnecessary
be cleaning-related variables that must and uncontrolled costs.
always be adequately attended to according
to the parameters of equipment and
potential food stain or fouling: mechanical More Information Service Info C007
action, temperature, chemical, and time.
The parameters determined by the
design still require proper operational
verification, in which further adjustments
may be needed due to changes that may
deviate from the fundamental data: material
properties, altered position of equipment
that may increase or decrease the height
of pipelines, and conveyor belts that may
have reduced radius of curvature.
Additionally, several other CIP factors are
involved in the cleaning operation:
transportation of cleaning solutions,
thorough distribution or dispatch of the
solutions in every targeted area, and
drainage of post-process cleaning agents,
along with food stains and fouling.
Consequently, the transportation of cleaning
agents in accordance with the flow and
pressure rates set by the ideal design
principles is the first factor that must be
considered and addressed in accordance
with the design requirements. This is
because the cleaning solution carries
temperature and chemical factors.
Detection of Chemical
Contamination in CIP
Chemical contamination and residue can
be easily detected in CIP because
dispatched cleaning solutions used in a
closed system will circulate and eventually
flow back to the point of departure via CIP

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