Efficient and Hygienic Foam Cleaning Systems from PHT
Efficient and Hygienic Foam Cleaning for CIP Systems in the Food Industry
In the food industry, hygiene and consistency are essential to maintaining quality and safety. Clean-in-Place (CIP) systems ensure that processing equipment, pipelines, and conveyors are cleaned effectively without disassembly — saving time while guaranteeing thorough sanitation.
At the heart of many modern CIP operations is foam cleaning, a method that combines water, air, and carefully dosed cleaning chemicals to achieve powerful, visible, and reliable results.
How Foam Cleaning Works
Foam cleaning operates using a low-pressure water system, typically between 10 and 25 bar. This pressure range is critical — low enough to prevent bacteria and microorganisms from spreading due to overspray, yet high enough to provide effective cleaning performance.
Water is supplied to a central pump unit that distributes flow through a manifold system, delivering water and chemicals to various cleaning points — from processing equipment interiors to conveyors and hard-to-reach surfaces. The unit can be fully programmed to control rinsing, foaming, and sanitising sequences automatically, providing a consistent and repeatable cleaning process.
The Foam Cleaning Cycle
A typical cleaning cycle follows these stages:
- Pre-Rinse:
Removes loose product residues and soils from equipment surfaces. - Foam Application (Alkaline Cleaning):
The pump lowers pressure and draws in an alkaline foaming detergent, which mixes with water and compressed air to create a rich, stable foam. The foam clings to surfaces, ensuring full coverage.
Beyond its chemical effect, foam also delivers mechanical cleaning power — as the bubbles expand and collapse, they create micro-level agitation that helps to lift and break down dirt, grease, and biofilms for a deeper clean.
- Contact Time:
The foam remains on the surface for a controlled contact period, allowing both chemical and mechanical actions to work effectively before rinsing. This stage is vital to ensure optimal cleaning performance. - Intermediate Rinse:
A freshwater rinse removes foam and dissolved contaminants, leaving surfaces clean and residue-free. - Sanitising (Optional):
A sanitising solution can be introduced to eliminate any remaining microorganisms. - Acidic Cleaning (Optional):
When required, an acidic chemical can be used to remove mineral or scale build-up, restoring metal surfaces to a hygienic finish.
Why Foam Cleaning Stands Out
- Visible Coverage: Easy confirmation that all surfaces are treated.
- Controlled Pressure: Prevents the spread of contaminants during cleaning.
- Dual Action Cleaning: Chemical breakdown combined with fine mechanical agitation.
- Efficient Chemical Use: Reduced waste and optimised chemical dosing.
- Consistency and Control: Programmable systems ensure repeatable, validated results.
PHT – Your Partner in CIP System Design
At PHT, we don’t just supply high-quality foam cleaning pump units — we help you design and build a complete CIP system tailored to your specific production needs.
Our pump units can supply up to 16 independent outlet valves, delivering water and cleaning chemicals precisely where you need them — whether to internal equipment circuits, conveyors, or external cleaning points.
Depending on your requirements, PHT can also design and manufacture custom manifolds for water and chemical distribution, as well as specialised spray nozzles engineered for optimal rinsing and foaming performance.
From concept to installation, we provide a full turnkey solution — ensuring that your cleaning system is efficient, effective, and built to meet the rigorous hygiene standards of the modern food industry.
Clean, Safe, and Reliable
Foam cleaning in CIP systems represents the perfect balance between performance and safety. With PHT’s expertise and technology, you can be confident that your facility is cleaned efficiently, thoroughly, and in compliance with the highest food safety standards.
