Effective phase separation of whey, water and CIP detergent
Detect phase separation and product loss with optical absorption sensors installed inline
A cheese plant was able to detect phase separation and reduce product loss in the CIP process with the accurate and quick response of Endress+Hauser's optical absorption sensor installed inline. The plant was also able to reduce waste and shorten rinse cycles by using conductive technologies. Operators determine when the pre-rinse is complete with information from the optical sensor, instead of relying on guess-work and timing.
Customer benefits
Each CIP cycle was reduced by 15 minutes
The plant used 32% less CIP chemicals. The customer saved over $5000 in the first 3 months on chemicals alone
Cost savings from reduced energy, water usage and waste water production
Increased equipment availability for processing by more than one hour per day
After implementation, drum usage went from 3 to 4 drums to 2 to 3 drums per month
Customer challenge
Determining phase separation between whey, water and CIP detergent in a cheese plant's CIP operations is essential to ensuring efficient cleaning and removal of whey from the system. This becomes more complicated with multiple CIP operations performed per day, as was the case for a cheese plant that performed five CIP operations/day. Chemical costs = over $1700/30-gallon drum and the plant used 3-4 drums/month.
Solution: OUSAF11 optical phase separation sensor
By installing an Endress+Hauser OUSAF11 optical phase separation sensor using visible and near-infrared wavelengths of light, operators are able to determine when pre-rinse and CIP cycles are complete. The sensor also helps reduce product loss by monitoring interface levels, suspended solids and turbidity.
OUSAF11 installed inline
Measures phase separation between whey, water and CIP detergent
Hygienic and stands up to CIP processes
The OUSAF11 sensor can be operated continuously up to 194 °F (90 °C), and up to 266 ºF for up to two hours, allowing it to be used in hot CIP processes
Can be calibrated without having to remove sensor from process line
