CLEANING IN

PLACE (CIP)
Procedures For Membrane Systems
INTRODUCTION Special care should be taken if adding measurement should guarantee that the
During normal operation of a membrane powders in an enclosed space. A well- proper amount of chemicals has been
system, the membranes will eventually ventilated area is optimal for handling added.
exhibit a loss of performance from powders. It should be noted that the solution
fouling or scaling. When the normalized temperature tends to increase during
permeate flow has declined 10%-15%, a PRE-CIP CONSIDERATIONS recirculation; hence start recirculating the
Clean-in-Place (CIP) should be scheduled. CIP make-up solution with the heating
Review of the operating data and feed There are standard CIP guidelines that element on before the final temperature is
water quality will aid in determining are shared for cleaning either RO/NF achieved. Ideally, the CIP system piping is
the most effective CIP procedure. In or MF systems. A high pH clean is usually designed with a recirculation line between
certain situations a membrane autopsy/ recommended before a low pH clean the discharge of the CIP pump and the
cleaning analysis may be considered to because salts may precipitate or re- CIP tank so the solution can be mixed
help define the best CIP procedure. The disperse during the high pH clean. Those and heated within the CIP system prior to
manufacturer of the membrane model that salts can then be removed by the introduction to the membrane skid to be
is to be cleaned is a valuable resource. subsequent low pH clean. The opposite cleaned. A final temperature of 35-40°C
They generally have recommended order has a higher propensity for foulant for cleaning is commonly recommended.
guidelines for cleaning and their specific or scale to remain in the system after the Consult the membrane manufacturer
membrane model cutsheets provide pH conclusion of the CIP. Finishing with a low temperature guidelines for cleaning.
and temperature limits that should not pH cleaning can also help restore the salt Cleanings that can be performed at an
be exceeded. Suppliers of specialty rejection of the membranes, which may elevated temperature are typically more
membrane cleaning chemicals can be negatively impacted by the high pH effective and are essential when cleaning
also provide a wealth of knowledge. In cleaning. The pH of the solution should be for biofouling.
addition, the engineer or system supplier taken prior to cleaning and compared to
the target pH from the CIP procedure or RO/NF: The initial measurements for RO/
for the membrane treatment equipment NF should include a conductivity reading
can assist with site-specific knowledge. manufacturer. The calculation for volume
of chemicals needed should include the of the feed, permeate and concentrate
CIPs for spiral wound membrane systems water to compare after the CIP. The CIP
– reverse osmosis (RO) and membrane tank volume and piping factor to get a
good estimate of the required amount. process begins with a flush to remove any
softening (NF) – are usually much more lose particles and displace process water
infrequent and, therefore, more of a The volume calculation coupled with pH
manual process compared to CIPs for
low pressure membrane systems such as
micro and ultrafiltration, referred to as
Membrane Filtration (MF).
• Hazardous properties

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS SDS • Spill/exposure response

• Storage
Safety is the number one concern when
handling cleaning chemicals. Cleaning-in-
Place chemicals should always be treated
with caution. Avoid storing high and low
pH cleaners next to each other as a strong
reaction can occur if there is a spill. When
adding the CIP chemicals, proper Personal PPE • Mandatory
• Safe handling
Protective Equipment (PPE) should always
be worn. This will vary depending on
the chemical and the steps required to
introduce them into the system. Consult the
Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before first use.
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in the RO system with the CIP solution. make-up solution. The MF modules are
Next, configure the system to be a closed now ready for a chemical CIP.
circuit to recirculate the CIP chemicals
or single pass if an extreme buildup of
foulant or scale has occurred. Care should CIP CONSIDERATIONS
be taken to ensure that the valves are in RO permeate or deionized water is
the correct positions to avoid pressure preferred for the CIP make-up solution.
build up and to control permeation of CIP The cleaning chemicals, especially
chemicals. Ensure there is a path for any powders, should be dissolved into the closely monitored. As a rule of thumb, pH
permeate produced to discharge back CIP solution completely before circulating changes of more than 1 pH unit require
to the CIP tank so the permeate side of through the membrane elements. This acid or alkali mediation.
the membrane does not experience back can be accomplished with a static mixer or
RO/NF: The CIP solution is recycled
pressure. Also, ensure that spool pieces more commonly by recirculation through
through the RO/NF elements for 30-60
are removed, block and bleed valves are in the CIP pump to the tank to mix. A
minutes. During recycle, if the system
the correct position, or any other cross- powdered chemical can also be premixed
pressure is high, permeation of the CIP
connection controls are in place. manually into a liquid slurry in a drum prior
solution could harm the membrane. As
to introduction into the CIP system. This is
The ideal system configuration should the system is cleaned, the flows may
especially important with powder cleaners
maximize the cross flow of the CIP solution fluctuate. It is important to prevent spikes
as improper mixing could cause abrasion
across the membrane. If possible, the in crossflow rates and maintain it around
to the membrane surface or it may result
CIP loop should include cartridge filters 40 GPM without exceeding differential
in powder “cottage cheese” buildup that
to prevent redeposition of particulates pressure (ΔP) limits specified by the
blocks the feed channels and prevents an
on the membrane surface. The goals for membrane manufacturer.
effective cleaning.
effective cleanings are to achieve high A recycle step is often followed by a soak
crossflow (approximately 40-50 gpm per The changes in the turbidity of a cleaning
period. Membrane soaking is important
8” pressure vessel) at a low pressure solution are good indicators of an effective
because some chemical cleaners work best
(<60 psi). It is important to clean each CIP. Should the cleaning solution become
in static conditions to remove foulants. A
stage individually so that foulant from rapidly turbid, send at least 20% of the
final recycle is performed followed by a
one stage is not introduced to another solution to the drain and refill the tank with
drain and system flush before the RO skid
stage and so that proper hydraulics and the CIP cleaning make-up solution. It is
is returned to service. In cases of heavier
crossflow are maintained. Also, try to critical to monitor the pH and temperature
fouling, the circulation and soak steps may
orient skid cleaning connections so that of the CIP solution during the cleaning
have to be repeated multiple times.
the cleaning solution does not have to process to ensure both parameters remain
flow through restrictions such as control at the desired levels. Strongly buffered MF: The cleaning solution is recycled
valves or booster pumps. Hard-piped specialty cleaning chemicals should through the module using a low flow
cleaning connections are recommended resist pH drift whereas generic acids and pump. Depending on the flow direction of
to minimize loss of cleaning solution or caustics used for cleaning will need to be the water through the fibers, the chemical
exposing operators to cleaning fluid, which
is possible when cleaning with mobile
hoses.
MF: Foulant buildup on MF membranes System High pH Low pH
Rinse Rinse
can cause a significant decrease in the Flush Clean Clean
membrane permeability and increase in
normalized trans-membrane pressure
(TMP). To test the effectiveness of a CIP
cycle, it is best to note the permeability
before cleaning, which is commonly
measured as GFD/psi. The CIP process
for MF differs from RO with respect to use
of halogen-based chemical oxidizers and
the ability to perform a backwash (with air-
scour, if available). Conduct a regular
backwash with an air-scour if available
to loosen particulates deposited on the
outside of the membrane surface. Air-
scour is only available for outside-in flow
MF membranes in a vertical assembly
wherein air is introduced across the
outside of the fibers. Drain the module to
remove the dislodged particulates and to
prevent any dilution of the CIP chemical
Photos show typical packaged CIP systems for NF/RO

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 High pH Rinse & Low pH Rinse &
Backwash
Clean Backwash Clean Air Scour
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
American Membrane Technology
solution can be recycled either outside or The neutralization system can be fully Association
inside of the fibers. Cleaning solution is automated using pH, oxidation-reduction 2409 SE Dixie Highway
often recycled for 30-60 minutes. potential and /or residual chlorine Stuart, Florida 34996
The first recycle is often followed by a soak analyzers. Phone: (772) 463-0820
cycle for 60 minutes or longer depending Fax: (772) 463-0860
on the extent of the fouling. If extended Email: admin@amtaorg.com
POST-CIP
soak times are necessary, refresh the www.amtaorg.com
soak solution every 20-30 minutes at a CONSIDERATIONS
slow recirculation rate. This will also help Before returning the system to service, a
maintain the temperature of the soak post-CIP rinse is performed. An RO system
solution inside the MF module/bank. should be rinsed until the concentrate
@AmericanMembraneTechnologyAssociation
conductivity is similar to that of the feed,
A final recycle step is performed for
and no foaming is visible. This indicates
30-60 minutes followed by an air-scour
that the chemicals used for the CIP have
and draining the CIP solution from the
been completely flushed out of the system. @amtaorg
modules. A backwash is performed to
remove any concentrated CIP chemicals When the RO system is returned to
before the skid is brought online. A service, compare the normalized operation
backwash is recommended between high data trends to assess CIP effectiveness. CIP on time, and obtain an excellent result
pH and low pH chemical cleans. The pressure drop across each stage of after the CIP, where differential pressures
the membrane system should also be
NEUTRALIZATION: Often the spent dropped significantly.
recorded to check for removal of scale or
cleaning solution cannot be directly Permeability of the MF module is
biofilm. Comparing the pre- and post-CIP
discharged to the sewer system due measured to check cleaning efficiency.
differential pressure data can illustrate the
to chemical contents and high/low Normalized TMPs should drop and an
effectiveness of the cleaning. Figure 1
pH. Typically, a neutralization system is increase in flow through the MF membrane
shows how the normalized data helped the
installed to adjust the pH and dechlorinate would indicate an effective CIP cycle. n
operator to make a decision to perform a
(CIP) prior to sewer system discharge.

Photo shows a fully automated neutralization Figure 1: Graph shows normalized data and CIP event
system

This material has been prepared as an educational tool by the American Membrane Technology Association (AMTA). It is designed for dissemination to the public to further the
understanding of the contribution that membrane water treatment technologies can make toward improving the quality of water supplies in the US and throughout the world.

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