Static Spray Ball Drainage Static Spray Balls left in the process equipment during processing must drain completely to prevent contamination and to comply with sanitary practices. If a spray ball is mounted horizontally, it must be specified prior to purchase to ensure that a hole is drilled at the bottom of the spray ball for such drainage in a horizontal position. Operation Even when a spray ball is protected by a strainer there may be debris in the supply line downstream of the strainer in a new installation. All CIP supply lines must be thoroughly flushed prior to the spray ball installation to rinse out all metal shavings and other debris. Also, the spray ball should be inspected and cleaned, if necessary, after first use as well. The spray ball should be connected to the CIP supply by sanitary tubing or by a flex hose, design and fabricated for this application. If the spray ball has a directional spray pattern, it also must be installed in the correct orientation. Sanitary spray balls may be left in place during processing if the system was designed accordingly. However, if the process operations would plug the spray ball or the spray ball might be otherwise damaged during processing, it should be removed following CIP.
Maintenance The spray ball should be periodically inspected and cleaned of any particulates, if necessary. Even when there is a strainer in-line, there is a possibility of debris plugging the spray ball holes. If inspection of a vessel indicates residue after CIP, it may be caused by plugged holes in the spray ball. Also, an increase in CIP supply pressure or a reduction in flow rate would indicate plugging as well. Spare spray ball clips are recommended to ensure that the spray balls are properly secured with the correct style design and size of clip. Spare spray balls may also be kept on hand; however, they should be labeled so that spray balls are always replaced by the correct type and flow rate.
Figure 7: Static Spray Ball Clip
Verifying Spray Effectiveness Visual Inspection
After each CIP cycle, the process equipment should be visually inspected to verify that the CIP program cleaned the vessel thoroughly. If areas of the tank indicate incomplete cleaning or coverage, corrective action should be taken accordingly. (a) Verify that the spray ball is still in place. (b) Check the spray ball for plugged holes, and clean as necessary. (c) Verify that the spray ball is the correct one for the application. (d) Verify that the correct flow and pressure were obtained at the spray ball. If any flow restricting orifices are used to control the flow, verify that the correct restrictors are in place. Instrument Verification and Documenting Performance Additional instrumentation may be employed to verify and/or document that the CIP cycle performed as designed. A flow meter and pressure transmitter can document that the proper flow and pressure of CIP reached the spray ball. These parameters should be verified at start-up and compared with subsequent CIP cycles to ensure that proper flow and pressure are always achieved.
DM-0002_Spray Ball & Supply Tube IOM_Rev 2.0
5 of 7
Powered by FlippingBook