Method for cleaning a separator

A method for centrifugally processing a flowable product with a separator and for rinsing or clean-in-place (CIP) cleaning the separator, the method comprising:

• 100) providing the separator;
• 200) carrying out centrifugal processing of a flowable product using the separator, wherein the separator comprises a rotatable drum and a product flow path for the flowable product to be processed in a centrifugal field in the rotatable drum, wherein the flowable product flows through the product flow path in a product flow direction during the centrifugal processing;
• and
• 300) interrupting the centrifugal processing, and alternately
• a) rinsing or CIP cleaning of at least part of the product paths of the drum of the separator in the product flow direction, and
• b) rinsing or CIP cleaning of at least one part of the product paths of the drum entirely or partially in an opposite direction to the product flow direction.

A separator comprising for processing a product:

• a rotatable drum;
• a product flow path configured for a flowable product to be processed in a centrifugal field in the rotatable drum, wherein the product flows through the product flow path in a product flow direction during centrifugal processing;
• a centrifugal chamber inside the rotatable drum;
• an inlet into the centrifugal chamber, wherein a product feed line and a first rinsing or clean-in-place (CIP) feed line open into the inlet, wherein an inlet valve is connected into the product feed line and a cleaning fluid valve is connected into the first CIP feed line;
• ili. at least one first outlet for a first product phase, wherein the at least one first outlet opens into a drain line;
• iv. at least one second continuously open or discontinuously openable and reclosable outlet for a second solids-type product phase, and
• v. a controllable cleaning fluid valve which is connected into a second CIP feed line, which opens into the drain line upstream of a drain valve which is connected into the drain line;
• and
• vi. a control device with a control program, wherein the control device executing the control program causes the control device to
• carry out centrifugal processing of a flowable product using the separator, wherein the separator comprises a rotatable drum and a product flow path for the flowable product to be processed in a centrifugal field in the rotatable drum, wherein the product flows through the product flow path in a product flow direction during the centrifugal processing;
• and
• interrupt the centrifugal processing, and alternately
• a) rinsing or CIP cleaning of at least part of the product paths of the drum of the separator in the product flow direction, and
• b) rinsing or CIP cleaning of at least one part of the product paths of the drum entirely or partially in an opposite direction to the product flow direction.