Principles of Food Sanitation

programmed to account for variation of
cleaning parameters for different cleaning cir-
cuits. The same printer can record CIP cycles
for various equipment, storage vessels, tank
trucks, or transfer lines. Some equipment con-
tains alarms that warn of performance out-
side the limits of programmed set points.
Figure 11–11 illustrates a microprocessor
and distribution system that includes a
pump-and-fill station for dispensing cleaning
compounds into rugged, capped allocation
containers. The service station provides air,
water, electrical, and thermostat control con-
nections. Designated employees can access
the system using a swipe card, thus simplify-
ing production selection by application.
Management personnel can access the unit
remotely via modem to track chemical usage
by application. This system can lower chem-
ical costs by 15 to 20% and reduce the clean-
ing cycle time by 10% as a result of more
efficient chemical allocation.
The microprocessor control unit enhances
cleaning effectiveness and reduces cleaning
costs through precise control of the variables

associated with mechanized cleaning. One of

these units can be designed with the capacity

for as many as 200 separate and variable pro-

grams that can provide product recovery,

rinse and/or cleaning compound recovery,

manual rinsing, sanitizing cycle, concentra-

tion of chemical strength, extended wash

duration, and many other options. The

microprocessor control unit can be designed

with self-contained, on-line programming

while running via an integral keypad or an

off-line programming package available for

use on personal computers.

Cleaning-Out-of-Place

Systems designed for cleaning-out-of-place

(COP) require cleaning by disassembly

and/or removal from the normal location.

The parts are then placed into COP tanks

and cleaned using water movement, which

removes soil from the components. Fluid

flow is utilized in the application of force for

cleaning. Regulatory agencies have previously

used velocity as a means of measuring the

fluid flow force, employing the rule of thumb

Sanitation Equipment 209

Figure 11–11Use of a microprocessor for programmed distribution of sanitation compounds. Courtesy of
Ecolab, Inc., St. Paul, Minnesota.