Acidic Cleaning Composition for Brewing Vats
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional alkaline cleaning solutions used in the brewing industry are less effective in elevated CO2 environments and require additional steps such as CO2 venting and hot water, which increases labor and time, and often leave residues due to non-free-rinsing properties.
Innovation Solution
A concentrated acidic cleaning composition comprising mineral and organic acids, a surfactant, a strong oxidizer, and a solvent, which can be used at ambient temperature and does not require CO2 venting, providing low-foaming properties for safe recirculation through CIP systems and ensuring a single rinse step without residue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional alkaline cleaning solutions are used in brewing vats and kegs, then cleaning and sanitation can be achieved, but effectiveness is reduced in elevated CO2 environments requiring additional CO2 venting steps that increase time and labor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter of the cleaning solution from alkaline (pH 12-14) to acidic (pH 2-4), which fundamentally alters the solution's effectiveness in elevated CO2 environments. This parameter change eliminates the need for CO2 venting while maintaining cleaning effectiveness, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and time loss.
2Reliability
If traditional alkaline cleaning solutions are used, then cleaning can be performed, but hot water is required which increases energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter requirement from hot water to ambient temperature operation. The acidic cleaning solution maintains its cleaning performance at ambient temperatures, eliminating the need for energy-intensive water heating while preserving cleaning reliability.
3Reliability
If traditional alkaline cleaning solutions are used, then cleaning can be achieved, but residues are left on surfaces requiring additional rinse steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter from alkaline to acidic, which fundamentally alters the rinsing behavior. The acidic solution at pH 2-4 is formulated to be free-rinsing, eliminating residue formation and the need for multiple rinse steps, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining cleaning capability.
4Reliability
If conventional CIP systems are used with foaming cleaners, then cleaning can be performed, but cavitation and potential damage occur in pump assemblies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the foaming parameter of the cleaning solution by using a low-foam surfactant system. This parameter change eliminates cavitation in pump assemblies during recirculation through conventional CIP systems, preventing damage while maintaining cleaning function.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The acidic cleaning composition rapidly sanitizes and cleans food and beverage contact surfaces, reducing downtime by eliminating CO2 venting and additional rinse steps, while maintaining surface brightness and preventing cavitation in pump assemblies.
Implementation Method 1
a strong oxidizer
Implementation Method 2
a surfactant, a suitable solvent and sufficient quantities of water. The acidic cleaning composition rapidly removes soils from food and beverage contact surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
An acidic cleaning composition and related methods of use for rapidly cleaning and sanitizing hard contact surfaces in the food and beverage industry. The acidic cleaning composition includes a concentrated acidic solution, a strong oxidizer, a surfactant, a suitable solvent and/or sufficient quantities of water. The acidic cleaning composition rapidly removes soils from food and beverage contact surfaces such as, for example, brewing vats and kegs, without requiring CO2 be removed from the brewery vessel. The acidic cleaning composition can be in a concentrated form for dilution with additional dilution water at ambient or faucet temperature as opposed to requiring the use of “hot” water. The acidic cleaning composition is free-rinsing leaving essentially no residue on the contact surface. The surfactant provides low-foam properties so as to avoid cavitation and damage within a pump assembly.