1. IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Cleaning the heat exchanger should be done after each filling of the tank with wort. Inadequate cleaning can result in beer contamination and spoilage. If using cleaning agents other than those mentioned in this procedure (from Kersia company), please refer to the manufacturer's instructions and use appropriate solution concentrations. It is recommended to use personal protective equipment such as boots, gloves, apron, and goggles during the process. In case of chemical contact with the eyes or skin, rinse the affected area with plenty of cold water. Chemical burns can be dangerous and difficult to heal. The CIP (Clean in Place) cleaning process consists of three main stages: alkaline cleaning, acid cleaning, and disinfection. Cleaning is carried out using solutions pumped under pressure by a pump. The solution circulates in a closed loop during the cleaning process.

2. CLEANING AND DISINFECTING CHEMISTRY:

• Alkaline cleaning agent - e.g., APMP.
• Acidic cleaning agent - e.g., Chimcid SP.
• Disinfecting agent - e.g., Des Oxi 25.
• Alcohol-based disinfecting agent in a bottle with an atomizer - e.g., Deptil HDS.

3. ACCESSORIES:

• CIP station.
• Two product hoses.
• Phenolphthalein in a bottle with a dropper.
• Litmus papers.
• Measuring container 100 - 1000 ml.
• Rubber gloves, rubber boots, rubber apron, protective goggles.
• Water hose.
• Cold water valve with a connection for attaching the product hose. Optionally, also with hot/warm water connection.

4. STARTING THE CLEANING PROCESS

The cleaning of the heat exchanger should be done when the brewery is not in use. Along with the heat exchanger, the pipes transferring wort from the brewhouse to the heat exchanger will also be cleaned. Close all valves on the brewhouse. Open the valve path from the wort transfer pipe to the return pipe.

5. FILTER CLEANING AND EXCHANGER RINSING

Open the valve at the outlet of the heat exchanger. Remove the clamp of the angle filter. Take out the filter. Rinse the filter to remove any contaminants under running water. Connect the product hose from the outlet of the heat exchanger to a cold water source. Open the water valve. Contaminants from the heat exchanger will start to flow counter-currently through the open angle filter socket. When clean water starts to appear, close the valve. Disconnect the water connection from the hose and connect it to the lower inlet of the CIP station. Insert the filter into the socket and secure it with the clamp.

6. ALKALINE CLEANING

Connect the second product hose to the return pipe in the brewhouse and the other end to a water source (if possible, to hot/warm water). Open the water valve and the bottom and top valves of the CIP station. This will allow water to flow from the water source through the hose to the brewhouse, through the wort transfer pipe, filter, heat exchanger, and then back through the second hose to the pump in the CIP station, and it will flow out through the top valve of the CIP station. It is important to remove all air from the system to avoid airlocks in the pump. Once the entire system is filled with water, close the water connection. Prepare 1 liter of APMP solution. Disconnect the hose from the water source and bring it near the CIP station. Pour about a liter of water from the hose and carefully pour 1 liter of APMP solution into it. Connect the hose to the outlet of the pump in the CIP station, making sure not to spill the cleaning solution. This creates a closed system ready for cleaning. Start the pump. The water will circulate in the closed loop, mixing with the cleaning solution, and the resulting solution will clean the entire system. The alkaline cleaning process should last 40 minutes. After 40 minutes, turn off the pump.

7. RINSING AFTER ALKALINE CLEANING

Close the upper outlet valve of the pump. Carefully move the hose from the upper outlet of the pump to the cold water source. Open the cold water valve and the upper valve of the pump. Water will flow through the hoses, pipes, and heat exchanger, rinsing it. The rinse water and contaminants should drain into the channel. Add a few drops of phenolphthalein to the rinse water. Phenolphthalein, when in contact with an alkaline solution, will turn violet or pink in color. Continue rinsing until the phenolphthalein color disappears. Close the water valve.

8. ACIDIC CLEANING

Prepare 1 liter of Chimcid SP solution. Disconnect the hose from the water source and transfer it to the CIP washer. Pour about a liter of water from the hose and pour 1 liter of Chimcid SP into it. Connect the hose to the outlet of the pump in the CIP station, making sure not to spill the cleaning solution. This creates a closed system ready for cleaning. Start the pump. The water will circulate in the closed loop, mixing with the cleaning solution, and the resulting solution will clean the entire system. The acidic cleaning process should last 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, turn off the pump.

9. RINSING AFTER ACIDIC CLEANING

Close the upper outlet valve of the pump. Carefully move the hose from the upper outlet of the pump to the cold water source. Open the cold water valve and the upper valve of the pump. Water will flow through the hoses, pipes, and heat exchanger, rinsing it. The rinse water and contaminants should drain into the channel. Test the rinse water using litmus paper. Dip a piece of litmus paper into the rinse water, and if it changes color to red, it indicates that the solution is still acidic. Continue rinsing until the litmus paper no longer changes color. Close the water valve.

10. DISINFECTION

Prepare 150 ml of Des Oxi disinfectant. Disconnect the hose from the water source and transfer it to the CIP washer. Pour some water from the hose and pour 150 ml of Des Oxi disinfectant into it. Connect the hose to the outlet of the pump in the CIP station, making sure not to spill the disinfectant. This creates a closed system ready for disinfection. Start the pump. The disinfection process should last 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, turn off the pump.

11. DISASSEMBLING THE HOSES

Close all valves on the brewhouse, heat exchanger, and CIP washer. Remove the product hoses. The heat exchanger is ready for wort cooling. After a few days of downtime, it is recommended to refresh the heat exchanger using the same disinfectant solution used for disinfecting the tank. Simply circulate the disinfectant solution counter-currently through the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger does not require rinsing after disinfection.