Improving Efficiency with Reliable Conductivity Measurements — CIP Cleaning Agent Control and Rinse Water Purity Monitoring
Conductivity measurements control the CIP process, as well as monitor the purity of the water used during rinsing cycles. Unreliable measurements can cause downtime or even worse, contaminated batches due to leftover product or detergents.
Reliable Conductivity for CIP
M4 Knick’s SE 680 Memosens® toroidal conductivity sensor is a great choice for integration into the rinsing cycle to control the CIP process. FDA-approved PEEK completely encapsulates this hygienic sensor. The sensor monitors the entire process to ensure no particulates or cleaning agents remain. The SE 680 has a wide measuring range (0 … 2,000 mS/cm) and a fast responding temperature detector which means faster, more accurate conductivity readings.
During the final portion of the CIP process, high purity water is used for rinsing purposes. Water purity is extremely important. It ensures the removal of all undesirable substances from the process. For this task, the SE 605 H Memosens conductivity sensor is used. The SE 605 H measures ultrapure water from 0.001… 600 μS/cm. It has two electropolished stainless steel electrodes and a PEEK insulator for hygienic applications. The signal of the Memosens inductive connection sensor also ensures the signal to the transmitter is unaffected by exposure to the wet and humid environment. Once the SE 605 H detects the desired conductivity, (typically in the single-digit μS/cm range) the CIP process is over and the SIP (steam in place) cycle begins.
Solution for SIP
The SIP process introduces ultrapure steam into the system. This sterilizes all parts of the system. The SE 680 and SE 605 H sensor withstand the extreme temperature fluctuations of the sterilization process.
Both sensors in this application transmit their digital signals back to a compact, DIN rail mounted MemoRail transmitter located in the customer’s control cabinet. The MemoRail transmitter requires only a small installation space. The MemoRail provides transmission of both the measured conductivity value as well as the temperature value via 4…20mA outputs. Operators can configure the transmitter easily, via integrated DIP switches on the front of the device.
What was this Customer’s Return on Investment?
- Time Savings and More Accurate Measurement:
Hygienic Memosens conductivity sensors provide highly accurate measurements even after exposure to extreme temperature fluctuations. This ensures that the CIP and SIP process thoroughly cleaned and sterilized the tanks with very short downtime. - Space Savings with Compact Digital Transmitter:
The compact, DIN rail mounted transmitter, MemoRail, saves space within the control cabinet and precisely transmits both the measured conductivity and temperature values via two 4…20mA outputs.
