Potable Water for CIP Flushing

Hi guys,

We had this meeting yesterday regarding the used of RO Water for CIP flushing. Since we only have limited sources of RO water, the management suggested to use potable/chlorinated water instead of RO water during Clean-in-place final rinsing.

Are there any standards that really require to used RO water?

Would it be too risky to used such an alternative process?

In addition to chlorinated water as an alternative for flushing, we have subsequent step to ensure line cleanliness: Sterilization.

Any thoughts if these are enough to be compliant? 

Thanks,

Joan

It depends on your process.  What is the RO water from?  Is it recovered water from your process or the way your cleaning up water coming into the plant?  Most CIP in the UK would use chlorinated potable water as a final rinse.  I don't know of any UK standards which would require use of RO water.

It depends on your process.  What is the RO water from?  Is it recovered water from your process or the way your cleaning up water coming into the plant?  Most CIP in the UK would use chlorinated potable water as a final rinse.  I don't know of any UK standards which would require use of RO water.

Our RO water are from Deep well. Fresh from underground. After extraction it undergo a series of filters to remove cations and other solids.

I would say in your case the RO water sounds riskier than the potable chlorinated water.  I have some experience with RO plants and, if not looked after, they are prone to damage.  They also don't tend to filter out viruses.