The CIP Verification report looks at each part of the programme, typically Product recovery (applies to dairies), Pre-rinse, Detergent, Inter-rinse, Sanitising cycle and Final rinse.

Duration

Reporting on duration of each separate /stage, permitting ‘<’ required time (e.g. 90% of required time) and ‘>’ required time (e.g. 120% of required time). Against each stage the nominal time, referred to as the ‘standard’, allotted for the cycle to be completed in will be shown against the actual time taken to complete the stage. The permitted LOW and HIGH duration settings will be displayed alongside the Standard/Actual readings.

Temperature

Apart from establishing that the detergent solution achieved the required OC temperature, this parameter is also used to ensure that the CIP circuit has been sufficiently ‘cooled’ if a chilled product is to be filled into the recently cleaned vessel. Temperature limits set in the Final Rinse cycle will check for adequate rinsing. The Verification Report will identify the average temperature achieved and also the maximum achieved during each CIP stage. The permitted LOW and HIGH settings will be displayed alongside the Actual/Maximum readings.

Turbidity

The use of turbidity is relevant in the dairy industry during product recovery cycles but also is used to check if milk based product is contaminating the detergent solution. Milk based products, as COD load, can impact significantly on a site’s effluent system.

The Verification Report can identify, during product recovery sequences what was a) recovered, b) routed to waste milk tank and c) routed elsewhere.

Conductivity

Reporting against minimum and maximum permissible conductivity (or % detergent concentrations) levels. Apart from establishing that the detergent solution achieved the required % strength, this parameter is also used to ensure that the Sanitising and Final rinse cycles are executed without detergent residues being entrapped within the circuit. When using an acid-based biocide it is important that all traces of alkaline detergent are removed from the circuit. To ensure this occurs, a maximum values in these stages is set to ensure adequate rinsing occurred. The Verification Report will identify the average conductivity achieved and also the maximum achieved during each CIP stage. The permitted LOW and HIGH settings will be displayed alongside the Actual/Maximum readings.

Flow

The Verification Report will identify the average flow (litres/minute) achieved and also the maximum flow achieved during each CIP stage. The permitted LOW and HIGH settings will be displayed alongside the Actual/Maximum readings.

pH

Used to compare the pH of final rinse discharges from the CIP circuit relative to the pH of the incoming rinse water. Whilst water is generally accepted as being around pH 7.0, this is not always the case. Also an additional check to ensure that adequate rinsing occurs between separate caustic and acid wash cycles and during Sanitising and Final Rinse cycles to ensure detergent residues are not entrapped within the circuit. A solution of 0.4% NaOH (circa 20 mS) will have a pH value around 13.0. A pH value of 10.0 equates to a causticity of 0.0004% NaOH. A biocidal solution of 150 ppm Peracetic acid will have a pH value around 5.5.