Ask The Brewmasters

  • 1.  Considerations when buying a CIP skid

    Posted 08-28-2023 15:11

    Hi gang,
    We've gotten by without a dedicated CIP system for some years now.  But we're looking into the possibility of buying one.  The pricing can range considerably, so I'd love your advice on what to look for when pricing out a CIP skid.  Are there any off-the-rack systems that have proved especially trustworthy, a good value?

    FWIW, we're currently running a 90bbl brite, two 90bbl FVs, 4 60bbl FV's, 1 30bbl, and an odd assortment of weird little project tanks.



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    Joe Grimm
    G R I M M
    Brooklyn, NY
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  • 2.  RE: Considerations when buying a CIP skid

    Posted 08-29-2023 14:19

    Joe,

    I've used various different CIP carts and Skids.  It really depends on what you are looking for.  For a cart make sure you have 2 dedicated tanks, 1 with heating capabilities with a thermostat and a sensor to make sure that when there is no liquid the heat can't be accidentally on.  

    For a skid, make sure you have 3 tanks (acid, water, caustic) conductivity, flow rate, temperature and return rate sensors.  Recirculation into their own tank is key too, so you can preheat your skid.

    The one key is to make sure your pump is large enough to get over the accepted flow rate for your CIP needs.

    All of them that I've seen or used are all very similar with small differences that you need to dial in for your specific needs.



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    Ivan Dedek
    Brewmaster/Food Scientist
    Meier's Creek Brewing
    Cazenovia NY
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  • 3.  RE: Considerations when buying a CIP skid

    Posted 08-30-2023 20:49
    To add to Ivan’s reply and related to flow rate but if you plan on cleaning pipe and/or hose loops you want to be sure the pump has the capacity to achieve the required line velocity needed for turbulent flow and proper cleaning (minimum of 1.5 meters per second for piping).
    An excellent resource is a document from Alfa Laval titled “Principles of cleaning and CIP”.

    Best,
    Phil Leinhart

    Sent from my iPhone


    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Considerations when buying a CIP skid

    Posted 08-29-2023 14:20

    We bought one at auction for pennies on the dollar. I had to rip out literally the entire control cabinet, wire it brand new, and program an entire new PLC for it - but that's because it was an automated skid with pneumatic valves. We could have put manual valves in and just wired the pump and heaters to basic switches and a temp controller, but I wanted to automate it.

    If you found a smaller, simpler one, you could use a pump cart, and then just wire up a simple control box for the heat. I also automated chemical dosing, but this can easily be done manually with old school titration. Really you just need a vessel you can hold made-up caustic in, and keep it at temperature. A filter really saves the day too.

    I love getting used stuff cheap and making it newer and better.



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    Craig Murphy | Plant Manager
    Jack's Abby Craft Lagers, Framingham MA
    (857) 231-1356
    craigm@jacksabby.com
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