The Difference Between CIP and SIP

Clean-In-Place (CIP) and Steam-In-Place (SIP) systems use heat, water and chemicals to clean and sterilise critical process equipment without the inconvenience of having to disassemble them. Favoured by the food and beverage and pharmaceutical industries, automated CIP and SIP cleaning processes have been maintaining sanitary standards in hygiene critical applications ever since the dairy industry first pioneered these methods in the 1950s. 

However, although these cleaning procedures might look and sound the same, there is a difference between CIP and SIP methods, as API UK explains.

 THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CIP AND SIP

To give you the broad brush strokes, Clean-In-Place is an automated process for cleaning essential equipment – like pipes, machines and tanks – using various washing and rinsing cycles. CIP cleaning is predominantly launched following a production cycle to eliminate contamination and bacterial growth. Sterilisation-In-Place uses steam and disinfectants to eradicate microbial contaminants before or after CIP cleaning. 

Let’s take a closer look at each cleaning process in isolation to give you a better idea of how they work.

WHAT IS CIP?

As we mentioned earlier, CIP stands for “Clean-In-Place”. This automated cleaning process combines water, heat and chemicals to clean essential processing equipment. Most CIP cycles take around 60-90 minutes to complete with minimal disruption to operations. As it requires minimal dismantling or manual intervention, CIP facilitates faster turnarounds and safer, reproducible and more economical cleaning methods.

HOW DOES CIP WORK?

CIP cleaning processes rely on a combination of detergents, temperature, pressure, and water flow applied over a set period to clean hygiene-critical equipment. Commonly used chemicals found in CIP cleaning processes include Caustic Soda (Sodium Hydroxide), Sodium Hypochlorite (Hypo), Phosphoric and Nitric Acids, Chlorine Dioxide and Peracetic Acid (PAA). Some CIP systems can even recover and reuse final rinse water.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF CIP?

The main advantages of CIP cleaning are that it produces controllable and repeatable cleaning results that can be validated (a crucial factor in hygienic processes). CIP processes speed up cleaning times and ensure critical processing equipment – such as tanks, vessels and pipes – is spotlessly clean, making processes far more efficient. As a result, downtime is reduced, while productivity is increased. 

WHAT ARE COMMON CIP APPLICATIONS?

As we have alluded to previously, CIP cleaning processes are particularly vital in the food and beverage, dairy and pharmaceutical industries. Wherever stringent sanitary standards are met to ensure the safe production of consumable goods, you will likely find well-established CIP processes. CIP cleaning is especially beneficial in producing liquid products, such as dairy and beverage applications.

WHAT IS SIP?

SIP stands for Sterilisation-In-Place, but it is also referred to as Steam-In-Place because this automated cleaning process typically uses steam to sterilise process equipment. However, several other SIP cleaning methods exist beyond steam, including superheated water, gas, liquid, dry heat, and vapour sterilisation. In addition, SIP cleaning usually occurs in closed systems to maintain aseptic conditions free from pathogens.

HOW DOES SIP WORK?

Sterilisation-In-Place uses steam heated to 120-135 degrees Celsius at two bar of pressure for a set time, depending on the application and the system. Other SIP methods include:

  • Pressurised superheated water.
  • Gas for low-pressure equipment.
  • Liquid chemical sterilisation.
  • Dry heat from HEPA filters.
  • Sterilising vapours like hydrogen peroxide.

SIP is often used in conjunction with CIP, generally afterwards, to double down on cleanliness. It can also be used beforehand with the system then flushed using CIP procedures.   

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF SIP?

Like CIP cleaning processes, SIP procedures provide a high level of sanitation for process-critical hygienic equipment without the need to dismantle anything. SIP methods can be used for various purposes, including sterilising systems, deactivating organisms, and disinfecting specific processes. Used with CIP, SIP cleaning processes provide a second layer of microbial sterilisation for added peace of mind.

WHAT ARE COMMON SIP APPLICATIONS?

Sterilisation-In-Place is commonly used in the production of pharmaceuticals. For instance, sterilising everything from bioreactors to holding tanks and delivery lines. Steam sterilisation is also a favoured method in manufacturing ultra-pasteurised long-life milk. Superheated water sterilises purified water systems and various wetted processing components. You will often find dry heat is used to sterilise spray dryers, while gaseous SIP methods are used to disinfect equipment such as freeze dryers. 

CIP/SIP PROCESS EQUIPMENT FROM API UK

As an expert pneumatic cylinder supplier, API UK specialises in manufacturing and supplying high-performance ISO cylinders and stainless steel cylinders to complement CIP/SIP process equipment. Constructed from a metallic piston assembly, our durable pneumatic cylinders are designed to excel in heavy-duty operations. Furthermore, their clean lines enable efficient CIP and SIP wash-downs for many hygienic applications.

Manufactured from 316 stainless steel, our marquee stainless steel cylinders offer unbeatable corrosion resistance. Capable of withstanding even the most extreme environments, our single-acting stainless steel pneumatic cylinders deliver longevity and reliability in mission-critical hygienic applications. For the highest hygiene and performance standards, look no further than stainless steel cylinders from API UK.

For more information about stainless steel pneumatic cylinders or to arrange a free on-site visit, speak with our technical team members today. As expert pneumatic cylinder manufacturers, we can help you understand the full range of options available and guide you toward the best system solution for your hygienic application. Call us on 01782 206 995, email [email protected], or complete our contact form.