Method and system for operating a CIP pre-flush step using fluorometric measurements of soil content
US9937535B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 14, 2013 |
| Grant date | Apr 10, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 14, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC11D2111/48
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A clean-in-place process may begin with a pre-rinse step in which soil (e.g., contaminants, residual product) is flushed from industrial equipment prior to circulating a cleaning agent through the equipment. To determine when the equipment has been suitably flushed, pre-rinse fluid exiting the industrial equipment and containing soil may be fluorometrically analyzed. A concentration of the soil is determined from fluorescent emissions emitted by the soil itself. Based on this information, the pre-rinse flushing process can be controlled, for example, to minimize water usage, maximize pre-rinse cleaning, or based on any other suitable metric.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.