CIP CIRCUIT ENGINEERING

CIP Flow and Velocity Basis

Use actual internal bore to connect flow with straight-pipe average velocity, then review every restriction and cleaned surface.

CIP Flow and Velocity Basis: Internal Bore & Circuit Duty
Input	Record	Why it matters
Internal bore	Actual minimum/maximum ID in the selected path	Nominal pipe labels can hide different velocities.
Measured flow	Location, instrument and units	Parallel branches and bypasses can change the object duty.
Pressure loss	Fittings, elevation and equipment curves	A calculated volume does not select a pump operating point.

Use the relationship with declared units

For a liquid-filled straight circular pipe, Q = v × π × D² / 4. With D in metres and velocity v in m/s, multiply by 3600 for Q in m³/h. This is average pipe velocity, not cleaning coverage or a universal acceptance velocity.

Check the limiting object

A vessel cleaning device, exchanger path or restrictive valve may determine the required duty. Obtain its supplier’s curve and limits, and verify the return can remove the delivered liquid.

Download the blank circuit and acceptance record (TXT)

Engineering context

See the Tetra Pak Dairy Processing Handbook on cleaning dairy equipment for general cleaning-system context. The circuit drawing and acceptance conditions belong to the actual project.