Cleaning

Cleaning

1. OBJECTIVE

Cleaning is a unit operation which includes different typical processes, such as cleaning of production halls and equipment, washing products or cleaning of bottles and cases. In all cases, the objective is to remove undesirable materials and substances from products or other surfaces involved in the production process.

2. FIELD OF APPLICATION

Cleaning is a process which is carried out in a wide range of industries, including chemicals, foodstuffs, minerals, paper, textiles and many others.

3. DESCRIPTION OF TECHNIQUES, METHODS AND EQUIPMENT

Water heated up to 90°C (maximally) can be used, depending on the cleaning application. The cleaning can be performed either manually or by automated systems. The cleaning process often requires detergents to achieve the removal of the unwanted substances (BAT in the Food, Drink and Milk Industries, June 2005).