CIP tanks
Self-cleaning: stainless steel CIP systems
Cleaning in Place, usually abbreviated to CIP, is a technique in which tanks (or other production components) are automatically cleaned without the need to detach or move parts of the tank. These CIP systems are increasingly replacing manual cleaning processes in a diversity of industries. Self-cleaning systems bring about big time savings and can attain a higher level of hygiene than manual cleaning.
Experienced manufacturer of CIP tanks
Gpi has extensive experience in the production of EN 14015 tanks, varying from tanks built in the factory up to +/- 500m3, to tanks built on-location up to +/-15,000 m3. Depending on the desired design and design conditions, these tanks are equipped with a conical roof or a doomed roof, with or without anchors and stiffening rings, such as wind girders and/or a top corner ring. Naturally, these tanks can be provided with a spiral staircase, a cage ladder or a stairway. In terms of material, a form of duplex is often chosen. Due to this material being stronger than normal austenitic stainless steel variants, thin walls can be employed, which ensure for a more rapid, higher quality and affordable tank.
What are CIP tanks used for?
CIP tanks are widely used in the food-processing, drinks and pharmaceutical industries where hygiene has a vital role to play. The exact cleaning requirements differ per tank.
The production of a cleaning system is based on the CIP cleaning sequence. We produce customised CIP systems, so that the products fully meet your needs.
Both in identifying the optimum dimensions and in choosing the right cleaning methods, to enable speedy project lead times, we provide professional support from the planning stage to the installation of your CIP tanks/system.
More information about our CIP tanks and installations?
How does CIP cleaning work?
Conventional CIP cleaning takes place in seven stages.
In the first instance, the tank is pre-rinsed to flush out any residue, for example, left from beer or yeast. This is followed by cleaning with lye. After the tanks have once again been rinsed with water, they are cleaned with acid to remove any scale, such as lime. The acid is then flushed out with water and the tank cleaned microbiologically with a disinfectant. After a reaction time, the disinfectant is likewise flushed out. The cleaning agents used are pumped into a circuit. After cleaning has been completed, these can be reused, at least in part. This reduces the amount of cleaning agents needed and so too, the use of chemicals in relation to manual cleaning.
Qualitative design
The design of the CIP system is based on the sequence of CIP cleaning. If conventional cleaning using the 7-stage process is required, more CIP tanks will be needed than if the cleaning process is shorter or some of the stages omitted.
The dimensions depend on the individual requirements decided in consultation with the customer. On the one hand, the size of the tanks being cleaned is a decisive factor, and on the other hand, consideration must be given to how many tanks need to be cleaned at any one time or whether CIP cleaning can be carried out on one tank only. The CIP system should not be too small, since planning must take into account that the volume of the cleaning agent be adequate for the individual rinsing cycle. Our engineers can help you to arrive at the right choices.
To enable speedy integration of the CIP system in your production, if necessary, the tanks and interfaces can be designed in 3D.
CIP tank appendages
Each tank in a CIP system fulfils a specific task. Gpi can supply all tanks that are required for a complete CIP system, from simple stacking water tanks for capturing the rinse water, to chemical tanks with special requirements for the materials used.
The tanks can be insulated and manufactured with heating zones or jacket heating.
As an experienced manufacturer of CIP systems, Gpi can also design your standard measuring instruments, such as temperature sensors and level gauges in the tanks.
Your CIP tanks can be constructed either in our factory or on location
In the Netherlands, we have two manufacturing plants, in Lopik and Groot-Ammers. From the Lopik site, tanks can be transported by road and from Groot-Ammers by water.
Likewise, if transport is difficult or impossible, we also apply innovative construction methods so that we can build on-site.
