Designs on CIP systems
As ever more stringent clean/sterilise-in-place (CIP/SIP) procedures are required within the pharmaceutical industry, Neil Saunders, area sales manager at Burkert Fluid Control Systems argues it is crucial for manufacturers to work more closely with engineering consultants to ensure systems are efficient and statutory compliance is achieved.
As ever more stringent clean/sterilise-in-place (CIP/SIP) procedures are required within the pharmaceutical industry, Neil Saunders, area sales manager at Burkert Fluid Control Systems argues it is crucial for manufacturers to work more closely with engineering consultants to ensure systems are efficient and statutory compliance is achieved.
Usually defined as a method of cleaning equipment with minimal manual input or dismantling of equipment, the CIP/SIP procedure holds many benefits. These include: the considerable reduction in cleaning and downtime; increased cost efficiency; and the ability to use stronger and higher temperatures than those used in manual cleaning.
Inseparable from the process system, the CIP system is used primarily to remove solids and bacteria from processing piping and vessels. The accurate dosing of the chosen concentrated cleaning agent into water ensures that a suitable cleaning solution for the processing system is produced. Because multiple fluids are flushed through the CIP process in a specific timeframe and order, the system relies on precise dosing and measurement equipment which makes good design of the system critical.
Usually designed at the same time as the process system, the CIP system, if done properly, will not only use a minimum amount of water, chemicals and utilities but produce a minimum amount of effluent. Furthermore, it should require only minimal maintenance, remove human error as far as possible, ensure repeatability, maintain product quality and reduce turnaround time between batches.
Prudent pharmaceutical manufacturers are constantly striving to ensure their systems meet the rigorous industry standards - and deploying well-designed CIP procedures will help them achieve this. But with demand for complete process solutions on the increase, manufacturers who fail to see the benefits of working more closely with engineering consultants could risk not only their hygiene and biological integrity but also fall short of industry standards and compliance.
