BCIP – Basic CIP unit

Rapidly changing market

I worked at a producer for alcoholic beverages. Due to a changed mix of products, colours and lower alcohol percentages, there was insufficient natural resistance to growing micro-organisms, colour and/or flavour transfers. The tanks, pipes and machines had to be cleaned differently. The market changed so quickly, also in the CIP field. We were searching.

CIP adapted to our needs
We didn’t want to immediately convert the entire factory to be able to connect everything to a complete CIP. In addition, it was too big an investment and we still had to test whether it worked. The starting point became a standard M-CIP design and with Dominique we discussed our additional wishes: choice of heating element, cleaning fluids, hot and cold water connection, etc. On location, we could try all kinds of things with valves and hoses, so that it was completely tailored to our situation. In the field, the software engineer took care of the fine tuning and we received on-the-job training. We programmed the different cleaning programs, depending on the tank size (a range of 500 to 100,000 litres) and different pipe diameters. It’s not a complicated system and as sr. operator, the basic parameters can be adjusted well.

A test in 1 day
So we didn’t know exactly what we wanted to do with the central CIP within the entire factory, which has 7 production lines, 300 tanks and more than 4000 meters of piping. With the M-CIP, we were able to see how everything reacts, what the quality is and what physical forces are at play. Of course, you want to keep the cleaning as short as possible and this was an effective and quick way. In 1 day we already had a test. This made the choice for a larger CIP much easier.

Useful for a smaller company
For a smaller company and/or if you have smaller tanks, the M-CIP is also useful. You fill it with water and a jerry can with cleaning agent, provide compressed air and then all you have to do is plug it in. You can choose different cleaning agents, with a pump and extra valve both lye and acid cleaning is possible. This makes the M-CIP extra flexible. Also literally, because his mobility is very easy. You really drive it everywhere.  Last but not least: the safety of the system is fully guaranteed with all kinds of safeguards in the software but also in the hardware, so that the operator and the equipment can be operated safely.

The aim was also to bring process equipment and utilities from 3 locations, Poznan, Heilbronn and Vlaardingen together in Wageningen.

During construction, all details were discussed and realized with Koen and Dominque – from floor tile to roof. Think of utilities (HVAC, electricity, water, steam, compressed air, drains, etc) and the final layout. It was an intensive time where a project was realized in an empty hall (2400 m2).
Dominique is a good engineer who informs you, is transparent and to the point. He has good ideas and a deal is a deal. That’s pretty special.

Koen was a committed process engineer and solved all engineering issues very well. Together they provided a lot of input and gave good advice. At the end of 2019, Dominique and his team carried out the relocation from Vlaardingen, Heilbronn and
Poznan. All necessary installations were transferred and installed in Wageningen according to plan. Dominique designed some of them himself. Dominique has already moved the UHT 2 times! He contributed to the shortest possible downtime of Unilever’s largest global nutrition pilot plant.

2-Annual maintenance
Much of that relocated process equipment needed maintenance. Together with my colleagues from the technical department, I drew up a plan with Fluidz engineering to bring these installations up to a good basic level, so that they function reliably. After that, we set up a 2-year preventive maintenance and inspection plan. They also carry out corrective maintenance of the utilities and installations with which Fluidz is familiar.
The advantage is that they designed and built it and know all the ins and outs.
In addition, the relationship with Dominique is good. I’ve known him for over 15 years, have so much
experience with him in all sorts of guises, and he’s never betrayed my trust. We share many years of reliable cooperation, there are short lines of communication and he thinks along with us.

M-CIP
One of the designed installations is the M-CIP. Unilever uses the M-CIP to clean the mayonnaise line. I don’t work with the M-CIP myself, but the operator calls it an indispensable device, can be used flexibly and can be flexibly linked. The operation via the screen is pleasant and functionalities such as heating and conductivity measurement are provided. The M-CIP is an important piece of equipment in our pilot plant to meet hygiene requirements!

Sustainability
Dominique knows Unilever’s values: sustainability – economical use of energy and water – is important. It is very pleasant for us that he looks at where things can be done more economically and knows exactly what we need.

After all, Fluidz knows how to unburden.
A while ago, a heat exchanger was broken and the supplier gave a long delivery time.
Dominique then thinks along, with the result that we have a temporary installation within 2-3 days . Or take the flow switch , which was not readily available, so that we were in danger of coming to a standstill. He came up with an alternative, which allowed us to keep running.  Fluidz therefore has a copy of such a part in stock.
From time to time, third parties also come to work in the pilot plant on behalf of Fluidz.
If necessary, someone from Fluidz will come along so that we can continue to do our own work, while the mechanics do their work. That is indeed unburdening.