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Formulation Card

FC-14.7-P

CIP Cleaner — Acidic

Ingredients

IngredientINCI / Chemical Name% w/wFunction
WaterAqua72.0Solvent carrier
Phosphoric acid (75%)Phosphoric acid15.0Acidulant, mineral-scale dissolution
Nitric acid (60%)Nitric acid5.0Strong acid, silica-scale removal
C9-C11 alcohol ethoxylate (6 EO)C9-11 pareth-63.0Nonionic surfactant, detergency
Phosphonate (PBTC)2-Phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid2.0Corrosion inhibitor, chelant
Benzotriazole1H-Benzotriazole0.5Copper alloy protection
Polyacrylic acid (Mw 2,000)Polyacrylic acid2.0Dispersant, antiredeposition
Total100.0

Formulation Notes

Mineral deposits (calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, magnesium hydroxide) accumulate on heating surfaces and pipework in CIP circuits, particularly in dairy and brewery operations where high-temperature processing promotes scale formation. An acidic CIP cleaner at pH 1-2 dissolves these deposits through acid-base neutralization and chelation. The formulation below uses phosphoric acid for general mineral-scale removal, supplemented by nitric acid for enhanced performance on silica-containing soils .

Procedure. Charge vessel with water and activate cooling jacket. Add phosphoric acid slowly, then nitric acid, maintaining temperature below 45°C at all times. Add PBTC and polyacrylic acid; dissolve completely. Add the alcohol ethoxylate. Dissolve benzotriazole in a small quantity of warm water and add to the batch.

Specifications. pH (neat): 1.5 ± 0.3; pH (0.5% solution): 2.0 ± 0.2; active matter: 15% ± 1%; acid content (as citric acid equivalent): 18% ± 1%.

Application. Use at 0.5-2.0% depending on scale severity. Circulate at 55-65°C for 10-15 minutes. Follow with a water rinse to conductivity baseline (< 50 µS/cm). For stainless-steel equipment, a passivation step may follow: circulate 1-2% nitric acid at ambient temperature for 20 minutes to restore the chromium oxide layer . Do not use on galvanized steel, aluminum, or unalloyed copper.

GHS Classification. Skin Corrosion Category 1A (H314); Signal word: DANGER; Corrosive to Metals Category 1 (H290). Required PPE: full acid-resistant suit, chemical-resistant gloves (butyl rubber), respiratory protection (acid-gas cartridge) if mist is generated, face shield, chemical-resistant boots. Store in acid-resistant containers; segregate from alkalis .