Clean-in-place cycle (SFC)
A clean-in-place sequential function chart documents how a vessel is washed without being dismantled. The chart starts from a stable ready state, then moves through pre-rinse, caustic wash and final rinse as each phase reports completion. Keeping each phase as a separate step makes the intended valve and pump actions clear to operators, controls engineers and reviewers. It also gives a PLC programmer a direct starting point for implementation in an IEC 61131-3 environment. Add temperature, conductivity, return-flow or timeout conditions when the cleaning procedure requires them. The completed SFC is useful in a functional specification, factory acceptance test or change review because it records both the normal sequence and the signals that permit each transition.
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Scenario
A food-processing tank needs a repeatable cleaning sequence.
Key decisions
- Safe idle state: Keep the cycle in a ready step until an operator starts it.
- Separate phases: Give rinse and wash actions their own steps for clear operator review.
- Explicit completion: Use a final complete step so downstream equipment can see the cycle finished.
When to reuse this
Use this pattern for a single-vessel CIP cycle when each phase has a dependable completion signal.
Frequently asked questions
What is a CIP SFC?
What signals should advance a CIP cycle?
Can a CIP chart include safety interlocks?
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