cip and pigging

Clean In Place (CIP) and Pigging

Reduce Flush Waste, Speed Up Your Process and Use Less Resources

Pigging before Clean In Place (CIP) delivers massive gains in process efficiency and productivity.

HPS pigging systems recover nearly all residual product in pipelines. So, because there is less product in the pipe after pigging, there’s much less cleaning and rinsing required. This means there’s less work for a CIP system to do.

Pigging Your System Before CIP Will:

  • Significantly Decrease Flush Waste
  • Speed Up the CIP Process
  • Reduce Cleaning Fluid and Water Usage
  • Free Up More Production Time
  • Increase Product Yields
  • Improve Overall Process Efficiency

What Is Clean In Place?

Cleaning In Place or CIP refers to cleaning the pipes and other components within a liquid processing or transfer system, without having to remove, dismantle or take anything apart. It’s often (but not always) performed automatically. CIP is obviously quicker than Cleaning Out of Place (COP), where components are removed to clean them. Pigging before CIP massively improves overall processing efficiency.

Reduce CIP Time and Resources

Properly implemented, HPS pigging solutions significantly reduce the time and resources used by CIP systems. So as well as increasing yields and saving money by not flushing good, useable product down the drain, pigging a system before CIP makes the cleaning process much faster.

CIP processes use chemicals, detergents or sterilising fluids as part of the cleaning procedure. Pigging significantly lowers the amount of these cleaning agents required, further saving money while also reducing effluent. And because pigging reduces the use of cleaning fluids, it also reduces the amount of rinse water.

Replacing Washout or Water Flush

Some cleaning processes use just water for cleaning. This is usually referred to as a ‘Washout’ or ‘Water Flush’. Pigging a system beforehand will significantly lower the amount of water needed. In fact, depending on the product and system, pigging can sometimes eliminate the need for water flush or washouts altogether.

Fully Compatible

HPS hygienic pigs are fully compatible with nearly all CIP systems. HPS pigs can withstand high temperatures during the cleaning process (they can be steam-cleaned up to 250 degrees centigrade or 482 Fahrenheit without degradation). The design of HPS Pig Launchers and Pig Receivers allow CIP systems to clean the pigs, as well as pipework and other system components, without manual intervention. This enables fully effective cleaning while maintaining hygiene conditions.

CIP Pigging Stations

As well as introducing the pig in to the system, and collecting it at the end of the pigging process, HPS Pig Launchers and Pig Receivers also safely store the pigs when they are not in use. Sometimes called Pigging Stations (because HPS pigs are bi-directional, a pigging station can be both a launcher and receiver), they are specially designed to enable CIP. Each pigging station includes enough room for water, cleaning fluid or steam to flow around the pig when it’s in storage. This enables efficient, effective and safe cleaning. If required, HPS can help you fully automate this, along with the rest of the pigging process.

Valves for Pigging and CIP

HPS has developed unique ball valves which can be pigged as well as cleaned in place. Specifically designed for use in sanitary and hygienic applications, these enable fully effective CIP without compromising the efficiency of the pigging process.

Don’t Use Your CIP Process to Flush Good Product Away!

Pigging and product recovery solutions are one of the most effective and economic ways to increase the efficiency of the CIP process.

To learn more about improving your liquid processing with an HPS hygienic pigging solution, contact us today!

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