Food Processing, beverage and dairy
industry have recently shown a major interest in Clean-in-Place processes due
to increased demands from customers in CIP verification and improvements in
hygiene standards, product quality shelf life and microbiological
consideration. While microbial contamination requires use of sanitizers and
disinfectants, pre-processing like pasteurization etc, removal of mineral
scaling, food layering and organic depositions can be easily met with cleaning
solutions specifically designed for the purpose.
CIP involves the jetting of
surfaces or circulations with an appropriate cleaning solution under increased
turbulence and flow velocity. Cleaning
solutions so chosen should be active at contaminant removal from any and all
types of surfaces without being corrosive to the materials themselves, non
toxic and non-residual formulations that can be easily washed off and do not
create issues with ultimate quality of food products produced. CIP easily
shortens time for cleaning and often cleaning solutions are recoverable. When incorporated
in automatic systems, they allow safe and reproducible results that are
economic and product friendly.
The simplest form of non-toxic
cleaners are basically blends of mineral acids and inhibitors. Acid circulation
and spraying is effective in removal of encrusted proteins and mineral deposits
on heat treatment surfaces. Hydrochloric
acid seems to be the easy and convenient choice for CIP processes owing to
its quick action and high solubility. It can be used directly to clean or as a
neutralizing solution after alkaline wash. It enhances draining and drying of
pipelines, better bacteriostatic action and removal of mineral deposits like
hard water scale, milk stone, beer stone etc. Typical concentrations in solutions range from 30%-70% that require
appropriate dilution before application based on industry, equipment, nature of
contamination, topography of surfaces to be cleaned and application methods.
NALCLEAN 8940 is a hydrochloric
acid based acid cleaner. Manufactured by Nalco Company, it is a blend of
Hydrochloric Acid (30%-60%) as a low foaming cleaning liquid that is slightly
brown in color. It is a heavy duty formulation for complete removal of
difficult mineral and protein base soils, water scales, corrosive depositions
and hard deposits from pipelines, pasteurizers, evaporators, vats, tanks,
coolers and other stainless steel equipment normally found in food processing
plants. NALCLEAN 8940 has slight pungent odor with a low 1.5 pH, high
solubility in water and good thermal stability. It is compatible with an array
of metal and non-metal surfaces when used in recommended concentrations, cost
effective as its effective even at lower concentrations compared to other cleaners,
a good neutralizer for surfaces pre-treated with alkaline cleaners and easily
adapts to all CIP application and feeding systems.
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