Choosing the ideal tank industrial cleaning equipment can feel overwhelming, given the many different types and styles of tank cleaners available. The better you can identify what needs to be cleaned and why, the easier you will be able to analyze the cleaning methods and exactly which equipment should be used. Especially if you want to change, upgrade or optimize your Clean-in-Place (CIP) tank cleaning process.
Why Does the Right Tank Cleaning Equipment Matter?
If you are still cleaning your tank manually, think about the time and manpower to scrub a tank. That’s time that your production team could spend on more valuable tasks. By optimizing your tank cleaning system, you not only save time but also eliminate the risks of confined space entry and ensure consistent cleaning.
An efficient tank cleaning system can reduce water, chemical and time usage by up to 70% per cleaning cycle compared to manual cleaning. That means higher productivity and lower operating cost. Additionally, proper tank cleaning is essential for maintaining hygiene, avoiding contamination and preserving the value of your product. This is especially vital in brewery, dairy, food, beverage, and other hygienic process industries, whose product quality is always non-compromise.
To invest in the right automated tank cleaning system, here are 5 key considerations.
1. Choosing tank cleaning equipment based on the tank size
The tank size matters to the tank cleaning devices selection. For example, a device that is correctly sized to clean a 5 foot tank would not be appropriate for a 25 foot tank because the effective range of the cleaning jets and the CIP fluids in the smaller unit would be too short to reach the walls of the large tank.
2. Match tank cleaning with your residue type
The substance left behind in the tank, whether sticky, dry, oily, viscous or powdery, determines the required cleaning power. The nature of the residue is also one of the key factors that affect the selection on which type of tank cleaning devices will most efficiently clean the tank in the shortest time, minimizing the usage of water and CIP chemicals. For example, a tank with dried or baked-on residue may need a Alfa Laval Rotary Jet Head with high impact for optimized cleaning, whereas a tank with a lite, water-soluble residue could be efficiently cleaned using a Rotary Spray Head.
| Recommended Cleaning Head | Residue Type | Reason |
Rotary Jet Head
Source image: Alfa Laval |
| High-impact, high-pressure jets remove stubborn residue |
Rotary Spray Head
Source image: Alfa Laval |
| Low volumes of cleaning media at low pressure for effective cleaning |
3. What are the available openings on the tank?
Tank entry and exit points influence the design and installation of industrial cleaning equipment; the device’s size you choose needs to be able to fit. This is a consideration for the initial installation and removal for maintenance. Additionally, for portable CIP tank cleaning devices (installed before cleaning and removed after cleaning), the device’s size must be able to fit in and out of the opening.
Don’t forget the size of the drain. Cleaning fluids must adequately drain without pooling to allow the device to clean the bottom of the tank as well.
4. Does the tank have any obstructions?
Obstructions could be any number of objects in the tank, such as heating coils, agitators and scrapers that are commonly seen in a tank. These obstructions can block the spray path, creating “shadow areas” where cleaning medium can’t reach. This impedes the coverage of the CIP solution. For the most effective cleaning, your tanks may require multiple or speciality devices to be cleaned appropriately.
5. What is the pressure and flow available from your CIP system?
You’ll need to measure the pressure and flow at the tank, not just the pump. The CIP supply pumps must be capable of delivering the proper flow and pressure to the tank cleaning device. Different tank cleaning devices have different flows and pressures requirements.
- Rotary Spray Heads use elevated flows and operate at lower pressures, making them an excellent replacement for inefficient sprayballs while providing up to 30% savings in operating costs.
- Rotary Jet Heads are high pressure and low flow, resulting in high pressure tank cleaning and saving about 70% in operating costs.
Conclusion
Selecting the right tank cleaning equipment is essential for optimizing your CIP tank cleaning process, improving efficiency, and ensuring hygienic, consistent results. To make an informed decision, consider these five key takeaways:
- Tank Size – Match the device’s spray pattern and throw length to the tank’s internal dimensions for optimal coverage.
- Residue Type – Match the cleaning device to what you’re cleaning and how sticky or thick it is
- Tank Openings – Ensure the equipment fits through available openings for installation and maintenance.
- Internal Obstructions – Account for agitators or coils that may cause shadow areas.
- CIP Flow & Pressure – Select devices that align with your automated tank cleaning system’s available pressure and flow.
With the right equipment, you can reduce resource use, enhance safety, and maximize productivity. Need help choosing the right tank cleaning device? Our experts are here to evaluate your tank setup and CIP goals!
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