New Physico-Chemical Regeneration Process of CIP Solutions

Abstract

The regeneration of Cleaning In Place (CIP) solutions presents an increasing interest for chemical industries (food, cosmetic and textile sectors) and sewage treatment plants. This study was designed to present a new regeneration method of CIP solutions combining sequences of adsorption-coagulation-flocculation processes, coupled with a physical separation by decantation. The chemical nature of effluents (strongly acidic or alkaline pHs) and the extreme temperatures (70 °C to 75 °C) do not allow the application of reactants commonly used in water purification by physicochemical treatment. The application of clays in the treatment and the purification of effluents from the CIP process present an innovative alternative to reduce energy costs and environmental impact of this operation due to the regeneration and the recycling of these effluents during the cleaning process. Several treatment conditions were tested on soiled CIP solutions, such as the temperature, the ionic strength, the reactants concentration and the pH of the medium. The physicochemical characteristics of solutions resulting from several regeneration cycles were determined in order to assess the efficiency of the treatment process and to identify its impact on the CIP solutions.