Dinnissen Process Technology has developed the fully automatic air-based Dry Cleaning in Place concept. The new method allows companies to clean their mixing and transport systems quickly, efficiently and hygienically. Weighing bunkers, mixers and storage bunkers are blow-cleaned, removing 99.9% of any residual materials. The system is especially suitable for companies in the feed, food and chemical industries. It allows them to benefit by reducing labour costs, minimizing downtime when switching from one product to another, preventing the loss of raw materials, and eliminating clumping, sticking/caking (contamination) and growth of microorganisms.

Fully Automatic Cleaning System Based On Dry Air
Companies that wish to clean their mixing system after a product switch often do so manually using traditional cleaning techniques such as water, cleaning agents, and knocking or sweeping away residual materials. This is very labour-intensive and not always effective enough. The Dry Cleaning in Place concept cleans mixing systems fully automatically using powerful air pulses and an interval timer. To realize this, Dinnissen uses cylinders of compressed air and special nozzles installed at critical locations in the mixing system. The blow-cleaning process proceeds step-by-step and is controlled by an interval timer, which ensures that the cleaning programme is carried out correctly.
The blow-cleaning starts from inside the weighing bunker and proceeds to clean every component in the mixer and storage bunker with the help of compressed air pulses going from front to back (or from top to bottom). After it has been cleaned, each compartment is automatically closed off with cut-off valves to prevent any particles from being transported back to the cleaned areas. An efficient suction system transports dirt and other particles that are blown off to a hermetically closed section. This guarantees a cleaning level of 99.9% for the mixing system and its surroundings. If an even higher level of cleanliness and hygiene is required, the Dry Cleaning in Place system can be expanded to include additional cleaning methods supplied by Dinnissen.

Savings: Labour, Reduced Loss Of Raw Materials, And Improved Hygiene
The Dry Cleaning in Place system developed by Dinnissen offers a very important advantage in that it allows the entire cleaning process to be carried out in a dry environment. The absence of any type of (dry) moisture prevents sticking/caking, clumping and the growth of bacteria and moulds. After being removed, expensive raw materials remain intact and can therefore be recycled without any problems.
The new concept guarantees fast and fully automatic cleaning. This enables companies to reduce labour costs for cleaning. Next to this, it guarantees companies as well as their clients that the cleaning process is always carried out in accordance with the applicable standard. As Dry Cleaning in Place is a lightning-fast cleaning method, it allows companies to minimize any loss of production time. The 99.9% level of cleanliness obtained is an excellent guarantee for hygiene and safety in terms of working conditions. And if a company works in accordance with even stricter hygienic requirements, it can further upgrade the Dry Cleaning in Place system with additional techniques from the range of products supplied by Dinnissen, such as the use of electrolytically polished surfaces.

Dinnissen Process Technology is presently applying the Dry Cleaning in Place concept in the production of grass seed, tea, foodstuffs (such as herbs and spices) and chemical raw materials.