The system is said to allow the cheese maker a significantly reduced window for cleaning and additional flexibility on CIP cycles, giving an increase in production time.
Prior to the installation of the new CIP set, the team at Saputo completed a circa five-to-six-hour CIP turnaround ahead of its normal production window. The new multi-tank, multi-channel system allows it to complete its CIP turnaround in less than four hours.
Sycamore was successful in securing the project back in February 2020 just ahead of the pandemic and first lock down and was tasked with the design, build, and installation of a new CIP system. The process has improved operating efficiencies and hygiene, incorporates rinse and detergent tanks and is modular in construction of CIP delivery and return. With the new CIP sets’ multi-channel functionality, it also allows more items to be cleaned simultaneously, giving production much more flexibility and options when planning cleaning schedules.
Paul Manning, project director at Sycamore Process Engineering said: “Commissioning of the new system is now complete; we have come out of this project with a great partnership with Saputo and are already working on and talking to it about the next projects on site.”
The initial design work was completed in early March 2020 followed by manufacturing and arrival on site of the new equipment during the summer of 2020. Work was able to continue during both lockdowns with increased focused on-site safety and social distancing measures. Change over and commissioning was successfully completed during a six-day shut down during the second UK national lockdown.
The existing footprint for the new CIP set was quite compact, so the design team had to consider the layout, optimising tank sizes and equipment selection.