Articles

CIP · Fluid mechanics

Reynolds number in CIP: why turbulent flow is non-negotiable

Why Re > 4000 is the single most important number in any CIP design, and what happens when your pump runs too slow.

Hygienic design · EHEDG

Surface roughness (Ra) in food equipment: what the standards actually require

EHEDG Doc. 8, EN 1672-2, and 3-A all address Ra values. Here is what each standard requires and why it matters for CIP effectiveness.

SMED · Production

SMED for food production: reducing allergen changeover time

Allergen changeovers in food production are the hardest to compress. A practical SMED approach that works within food safety constraints.

CIP · Detergents

3-step, 5-step, or 7-step CIP: how to choose the right sequence

The choice of CIP sequence depends on product soil, regulatory requirements, and available downtime. Here is the decision framework.

Conveyors · Hygienic design

Conveyor design for food processing: EHEDG, open frame, and cleanability

What makes a conveyor hygienic? Frame design, belt material, drainage, and the difference between IP65 and EHEDG-compliant construction.

OEE · Food manufacturing

OEE in food manufacturing: why the 85% benchmark does not apply

CIP cycles, allergen changeovers, and regulatory hold times mean food plants operate under fundamentally different OEE constraints than discrete manufacturers.