US 2026/0097368 A1 · SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR MIMICKING MEMBRANE CLEANING-IN-PLACE CONDITIONS

Abstract

Cleaning-in-place (CIP) systems utilize membrane filters for purifying liquid substances in many industries, including but not limited to, the dairy industry, breweries, pharmaceutical industry, and the food industry. These membrane filters undergo a rigorous cleaning process that despite cleaning can leave foulants on the membranes which hamper filter effectiveness. In addition to the cleaning, enzymes can be applied to the membranes to remove foulants and restore filtering effectiveness. However, introduction of enzymes into these CIP systems can be problematic if enzymes remain after cleaning. This disclosure provides a system and methods to mimic the membrane modules and verify that a correct inactivation procedure occurred. The systems and methods include a separate membrane sample so that no membrane modules need be removed to verify full enzyme inactivation.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A system for deactivating enzymes, comprising:

a cleaning-in-place system comprising:
a feed tank with an opening, the feed tank operatively connected to an at least one pipe;
and
an at least one membrane filtration module positioned downstream the at least one pipe, the at least one filtration module containing a plurality of membrane filters therein;
a container containing a membrane filter positioned within the container, wherein the membrane filter is comprised of a same membrane type as the plurality of membrane filters that are within the at least one membrane filtration module;
and
an inactivator composition, wherein the feed tank is filled with the inactivator composition, wherein the inactivator composition is capable of deactivating enzymes including any of lipase, protease, or amylase, wherein the inactivator composition reaches the plurality of membrane filters because the feed tank is operatively connected to the at least one pipe with the at least one membrane filtration module positioned downstream the at least one pipe;
wherein the membrane filter positioned within the container is submerged in the inactivator composition.

5 more elements

A method for verifying correct dosing of inactivator composition and/or correct inactivation conditions such as pH, temperature, or time, within a cleaning-in-place system (CIP system), comprising:

placing a membrane filter in a test vessel;
placing the test vessel in a feed tank of the CIP system;
inserting an enzyme composition into the feed tank;
circulating the enzyme composition throughout the CIP system;
inserting an inactivator composition into the feed tank capable of deactivating enzymes within the enzyme composition previously inserted into the CIP system;
circulating the inactivator composition throughout the CIP system;
removing the test vessel from the feed tank;
removing the membrane filter from the test vessel;
and
testing the membrane filter for enzyme activity;
wherein the CIP system includes a plurality of membrane filters positioned downstream from the feed tank within the CIP system that interact with both the enzyme composition and the inactivator composition when the enzyme composition and the inactivator composition are circulated throughout the CIP system, wherein the plurality of membrane filters are not accessible through from the feed tank, wherein the membrane filter that is tested for enzyme activity is tested instead of the plurality of membrane filters positioned downstream from the feed tank.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and methods for mimicking membrane cleaning-in-place conditions

Life of this patent

System and methods for mimicking membrane cleaning-in-place conditions

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20