Thorough cleaning and disinfection of the equipment are essential parts of dairy operations. Bad hygienic can have very serious consequences as milk is a perfect substrate in which bacteria can multiply rapidly.

Milk that comes into contact with surfaces in tanks, pipes and other process equipment that have not been properly cleaned, or with the hands or clothing of dairy personnel, will pick up dirt and bacteria.

CIP can be defined as circulation of cleaning liquids through machines and other equipment in a cleaning circuit. This means that rinsing water and detergent solutions are circulated through tanks, pipes and process lines without the equipment having to be dismantled.

The passage of the high-velocity flow of liquids over the equipment surfaces generates a mechanical scouring effect which dislodges dirt deposits.