Tank Cleaning
Last Updated: 2021-02-11 by Nick Busey
Object and Scope
The purpose of this SOP is to ensure consistency of process relating to the CIP, Sanitization and Purging/Pressurization of a 7 BBL Fermenter.
Equipment Needed
- Cart Pump
- 2 x Short Cleaning Hoses
Hazards Identification and PPE / Safety Steps Required:
PPE: Eye protection, rubber boots, gloves
Hazardous Products: Acid, Caustic, Co2
Hazards: Handling hazardous products, heat
Preparation
- Ensure the tank to be cleaned is empty and rinsed before beginning.
- Remove all fittings and ports/valves. Anything that can be removed, remove it.
- After parts are sanitized, re-assemble tank completely.
- Remove door gasket, clean door and gasket thoroughly.
- Remove fermenter door and gasket.
- Take out of tank room and clean separately with a brush and caustic.
- Remove carb stone if applicable. Attach it in-line with a T.
- Connect dump port to transfer tee.
- Connect other side of transfer tee to pump inlet.
- Connect pump outlet to CIP inlet.
- Close transfer tee dump side.
- Ensure any other parts like the tasting port, carb stone, etc. have been cleaned, sanitized, and installed properly before beginning.
- Attach the cleaned racking arm and turn it so it is pointing up.
- Open the butterfly valve on the racking arm all the way.
- Open the sample port, leave it open so sanitizer runs through it.
Cleaning Fermenters
CIP
- Fill tank with 3 minutes of hot water from the hose.
- Add super CIP to tank. (If it's not a conical bottom, pre-mix powder with hot water outside of tank.)
- Replace fermenter door and gasket.
- Start pump
- Let loop run for 15 minutes.
- Stop pump and dump the liquid.
Rinse
- Fill tank with 3 minutes hot water from hose
- Let loop run for 10 minutes.
- Stop pump and dump the liquid.
Sanitize
- Add 15 gallons hot water to the tank.
- Add 3 ounces StarSan to the water.
- Attach a cleaning hose to the bottom port of the tank and the pump inlet.
- Attach a cleaning hose to the pump outlet and to the CIP arm inlet.
- Ensure all butterly valves in the CIP loop are open, and start the pump.
- Once the loop is running, close the butterly valve on the racking arm to allow it to fill with sanitizer.