I. Establish a Standard Cleaning Procedure (CIP Online Cleaning)
To prevent hardening of residues after shutdown, it is recommended to perform the following steps after each production run:
1. Pre-rinse with clean water: After stopping feeding, immediately circulate clean water for 15 minutes to remove as much soluble matter and suspended starch as possible from the system, reducing the difficulty of subsequent cleaning.
2. Alkaline solution circulation cleaning: Prepare a 2% NaOH solution (mass ratio), heat it to 40℃, and circulate it in the system for 1 hour. The alkaline solution effectively decomposes protein, pectin, and fatty deposits, and is particularly suitable for potato starch production lines.
Note: The temperature should not exceed 80℃ to avoid deformation and shrinkage of the nylon hydrocyclone tubes.
3. Deep rinsing with a high-pressure water gun: After disassembling the hydrocyclone tube assembly, immerse it in the alkaline solution for 1–2 hours, then use a nylon brush and a high-pressure water gun to thoroughly rinse the inner wall. For clogged channels, use a special cleaning needle to unclog them. Never use hard tools such as wire to avoid scratching the lining.
4. Final Rinse with Clean Water Rinse the equipment thoroughly with plenty of clean water to ensure no alkaline residue remains, preventing impact on the quality of the next batch of starch.
II. Key Cleaning and Maintenance Points
Swirl Tube Interior: Inspect each swirling tube's overflow and underflow holes. Replace immediately if wear or enlarged orifice diameter is found to prevent scaling due to flow velocity imbalance.
Sealing Rings and Connections: O-rings must be cleaned and stored properly. Ensure they are properly seated and tightened during assembly to prevent leakage and the introduction of impurities.
System Drain Valves: All drain valves must be opened when the system is shut down to drain residual liquid and prevent solid deposits from forming hard lumps that clog the pipes.
III. Recommended Use of Biological Environmentally Friendly Cleaning Agents (Optional)
For manufacturers pursuing green production, biological enzyme cleaning agents can be used instead of traditional alkaline washing. This type of environmentally friendly cleaning agent can efficiently decompose organic matter such as starch, protein, and cellulose, with no chemical pollution in the emissions, making it suitable for closed-loop cleaning systems. It is recommended to use it every six months as a deep maintenance procedure.
IV. Establish a Preventative Cleaning System
Daily Cleaning: Perform CIP cleaning with clean water and alkaline solution after each shift.
Regular Disassembly and Inspection: Disassemble and clean the hydrocyclone assembly every 500 hours of operation to check for wear.
Long-Term Shutdown Protection: The hydrocyclone is made of nylon and should be kept moist during shutdown to prevent slight shrinkage from affecting sealing performance.
