WIP CIP e
WIP CIP e
WIP CIP e
The abbreviations WIP/CIP used in this context are clearly defined. WIP (washing in place) means
semi- or fully-automated cleaning with either undefined result of cleaning or with the result that the
system is not yet clean according to GMP-requirements. CIP (cleaning in place), on the other hand,
stands for the entire process of a fully-automated cleaning to a GMP-conform level, including all factors,
which have influence on the cleaning result. This includes the proof that the acceptance criterion of
the cleaning validation was achieved.
A comparison study between the manual and fully-automated cleaning shows that by systematic modifi-
cation of the individual components in connection with a fully-automated cleaning program a higher
cleaning grade can be achieved. Furthermore, a statement about the reproducibility of cleaning suc-
cess can be met.
Keywords
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1. Introduction
In past years, increasing attention has been directed to the cleaning of processing systems and the
corresponding cleaning validation, both by pharmaceutical companies as well as by monitoring
authorities. There are several important reasons for this.
On the one hand, one seeks to lower the risk of cross-contamination for existing products and
production lines. And on the other, highly effective materials are becoming increasingly more
prevalent in production and manufacturing. For some time now, these materials have placed high
demands on cleaning and, in general, have required - in as far as has been possible – a dust-free,
closed manufacturing process (e.g., cytostatic agents, hormones, cardiac glycosides, etc.). Exposure of
the operating staff, environmental protection and safety aspects provide additional reasons to employ
completely closed production lines whenever possible, as is carried out under Total Containment.
Additional factors that must be considered are economic aspects as well as the specific requirements
for the cleaning validation. Idle times, no matter what their reasons, are unproductive. With the
constantly increasing awareness of costs, manual cleaning procedures that are staff-intensive and are
time-consuming are being critically compared to automated cleaning procedures that, whenever
possible, are carried out at night. Another advantage is that, with automated cleaning in closed
systems, fundamentally more aggressive cleaning conditions (detergent types and concentrations,
temperatures, pressures, etc.) can be used than those that are employed with traditional methods.
With regard to validation issues, the reproducibility of an automated cleaning has certain advantages
when compared to manual hand cleaning. Parameters that are relevant for cleaning tend to be more
readily accessible and easier to record and document, thereby facilitating validation. Considering
these aspects, an automated cleaning system offers clear advantages.
Systems that are very different, even from their stated goal, are frequently lumped together under the
same CIP (cleaning in place) designation. The description, CIP Process, already well-ensconced in the
liquids sector where it is used in the more narrow sense of the word, has been adapted to use in the
solid forms sector.
But which systems in this latter sector actually carry out a CIP process? Installing one or more
cleaning nozzles in a processing system, e.g., such as in a fluid bed apparatus that has a conventional
construction, may be designated as a CIP system. Nevertheless, it certainly does not compose a
system that is clean enough, according to a truly fully-automated, validated cleaning based on GMP
standards, that would enable the processing of a formulation with another active agent. Based on these
reasons, and especially with conventionally designed systems, the corresponding cleaning systems
have been designated WIP (washing in place) systems. Here, a good - or even a very good -
pre-cleaning is achieved; however, this must always be followed by additional manual cleaning steps.
Even when a solid dosage form production system is set up for optimal cleanability and has the
corresponding peripheral devices, one can only speak of a system with CIP cleaning in the GMP sense
if, in addition to the system design, the respective product, the manufacturing process and the cleaning
procedures are also known. Even though in some cases, system manufacturers can claim
CIP-compatibility, the following must be considered:
One particular system that has proven to be CIP-compatible for a certain product may not be
CIP-compatible for a different product. The system itself can only be laid out for the best possible
cleaning, but the actual degree of cleaning achievable must always be determined in each individual
case.
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3. Design and Technology Requirements
Even while a multitude of processes with correspondingly different processing technology are
employed in solid dosage form technology, the critical design principles and design characteristics of
the different apparatuses are the same with regard to their cleaning and containment aspects. Flange
joints, sensors, unions, viewing ports, filter media with air or gas carrying apparatuses, etc. must be
employed throughout the system and product transfer executed. Using fluid bed technology as an
example, we aim to demonstrate how the requirements for cleanability and finished product handling
can be met and implemented.
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Fig. 6: Example of a transition junction on a CIP–confor- Fig. 7.- Inflatable seal, CIP-capable, in the sealed condi-
ming system (Glatt, Binzen). tion (view from the inside of the container) (Glatt,
Binzen).
Fig. 8: Welded-in viewing port, CIP-design, after conta- Fig. 9: Viewing port of a conventional design (Glatt,
mination (view from the product side) (Glatt, Binzen). Binzen).
With exchangeable flange systems, the seal should be exposed in direct contact with the product and
easily positionable.
Both of these conditions have been fulfilled with a special flange design (O-Plus™-System, Glatt,
Binzen; Figs. 10 and 11). Here, the O-ring is hollow and, using a variable collar, can be held in two posi-
tions:
a) In an unloaded condition, a twisting or an incorrect positioning of the seal seat is avoided,
thereby ensuring a facile installation or dismantling of the flange.
b) In the final sealed state; the O-ring is pressed into the proper position.
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Fig. 10: CIP-compatible blind flange. Fig. 11: Set-up showing the seal installed, CIP-compati-
(O-Plus™ System, Glatt, Binzen). ble design (O-Plus™ System, Glatt, Binzen).
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3.2.3. Sensors
All sensors are installed flush against the wall and do not allow product penetration (Fig. 14).
Temperature sensors are welded in, for example, however, they can still be replaced from the outside
(Fig. 15). When measuring pressure differences, a completely different measuring principle is employ-
ed. An absolute pressure measurement is carried out at the measuring site under consideration. The
specially developed sensor is located behind a ceramic pane which is installed flush against the wall
and sealed with an O-ring. The difference in the absolute pressures is continuously calculated in the
background of the system control and this value is then displayed.
Fig. 14: Pressure sensor, installed in a CIP-compatible Fig. 15: Temperature sensor in the product container,
construction (Glatt, Binzen). installed in a CIP-compatible construction (Glatt,
Binzen).
Fig. 17. Example of a pleated stainless steel filter with a Fig. 18: Example of a very dirty pleated filter (spray gra-
corresponding supporting mesh. Demonstrates good nulation process). Severe decrease in the filter area on
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mechanical stability, however, product residues are dif- the product side, experiences considerable cleaning
ficult to remove. problems.
Therefore, a round design was developed where the circumference is fixed (unlike the case with plea-
ted cartridges which experience a significant expansion in their circumference when the pleats are
separated out); this round design is extremely stable (Figs. 19 and 20). This design permits one to use a
special blow out mechanism that allows considerably higher pressures within the cartridge than those
that can be borne by a pleated cartridge, especially with wet cleaning. Due to the capillary forces of
the water with wet cleaning, the sieve material forms a considerably higher resistance than it does in
the dry state.
Fig. 19: Filter housing, CIP-compatible design (SC™ fil- Fig. 20: Stainless steel filter cartridge. CIP-compatible
ters, Glatt, Binzen). design (SC™ filters, Glatt, Binzen).
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4. Total Containment
Beside the CIP compatibility of a system, a completely closed product handling is another essential
part of the total concept. Both aspects complement, respectively, necessitate each other. When com-
pared to conventional systems, changes in the following areas are necessary in order to achieve con-
tainment.
Fig. 22: Extendible cleaning nozzles, CIP-compatible Fig. 23: Extendible cleaning nozzles (in the retracted
design (Glatt, Binzen). state); as seen from the inside of the container;
CIP-compatible design (Glatt, Binzen).
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5. CIP Cleaning Station
For the cleaning itself, there is naturally a corresponding CIP preparation system that is necessary.
This system permits the selection of appropriate cleaning parameters and records the required values.
Because various system functions (flaps, valves, heating and fan for drying, etc.) must be controlled
during cleaning, whenever possible, the CIP program should be managed by the same system control
that directs the actual manufacturing process.
Cleaning sequence (of the cleaning and the nozzles employed), etc.
In this manner, the cleaning process can first be optimized, which is a requirement for each validation.
The effort involved in the validation of a CIP cleaning should not be underestimated; indeed, it can
even be as costly as the process validation itself.
With regard to the costs and the profitability of such a system, lump sum answers cannot be provided;
the actual requirement of a Total Containment Concept is, at the moment, much less a question of
profitability. Even with products that are not highly toxic, the reduction in cleaning time from between
0.5 to 2 days down to less than 4 hours, with considerably less personnel involvement, can present a
most considerable savings potential.
It is also well possible, and even makes sense, to use individual components of the CIP design in a
conventional system. Each improvement in procedure and design will also facilitate and speed up the
manual cleaning process.
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6. Case Study: CIP Cleaning in
Comparison to Manual Cleaning
6.1. Introduction
The comparison of these two types of cleaning is currently being examined by A. Schiffmann as part of
his dissertation thesis. The results gathered should critically assess the differences in cleaning of a
CIP-compatible fluid bed system compared to a conventional fluid bed system.
On both systems, swab and rinse samples were taken after granulation with acetaminophen (paraceta-
mol). The absolute residue of respectively comparable installation parts was examined while conside-
ring the variability of the cleaning success.
6.3. Contamination
In both systems, a fluid bed granulation using a 33 % active ingredient portion (Acetaminophen) was
carried out. After each granulation, a CIP cleaning was performed with the GPCG 15 SC, and with the
conventional GPCG 15, a manual cleaning based on a written SOP was undertaken. The tests were
similarly repeated twice in both fluid bed apparatuses.
6.4. Cleaning
Conventional GPCG 15
After each batch, a manual cleaning was carried out by the system operator. All three cleanings were
carried out by the same system operator. The textile shaking filters were cleaned in a customary was-
hing machine.
CIP-compatible GPCG 15 SC
After each batch, the system was fully automatically cleaned (Tab. 1).
6.5. Sampling
Using a sampling plan, which clearly defined the areas to be sampled, a swab sample and/or rinse
sampling was made.
Sampling occurred in the following manner:
a) Swab sample of one defined area (e.g., 10 x 10 cm), representative for a certain system part.
b) Swab sample of a complete system part.
c) Rinsing/immersion of a certain system part in a defined amount of the corresponding solvent.
Cellulose swabs of a defined size were used as the swabs, and were moistened with 1ml methanol. The
wiping of the area resulted by successively using two moistened swabs. Subsequently, both swabs
were placed together in a test tube.
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Tab. 1: CIP-Program.
1 Rinsing
(lost) tap water 0.28 15 2.5 pre-cleaning step
2 Washing
(recirculated cleaning) tap water + additive 0.28 80 25 Main cleaning step alkalinea)
3 Blowing out Compressed air - - 4 Blowing out the tenside
solution from the pipelines
4 Rinsing (lost) tap water 0.28 15 2.5 Rinsing out the tenside from
the system
5 Rinsing (lost) demineralized water 0.28 20 2.5 "Final rinse”
6 Blowing out compressed air - - 20 Drying the cleaning nozzles
7 Drying air 1300 m3/h - 105 25
Total 1.12 99.5
6.6. Analysis
The test tubes were filled with 10 ml methanol and mixed for 15 minutes in the ultrasound bath. The
collected samples were then evaluated based on the method described in the USP 23 (Acetaminophen
Capsules) for HPLC (UV detection).
6.7. Results
The results obtained were calculated by averaging the three cleaning runs (Tables 2 and 3).
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Table 3: Relative standard deviation (rounded) of the individual measurements
S1 Product container 52 - a)
S2 Expansion zone 39 - a)
S3 Seal area
contacting product 52 23
S4 Lower plenum 87 - a)
S5 Sample port 137 55
R1 Bottom screen 129 - a)
R2 Filter 70 - a)
a)
Measurements below the detection limit.
6.8. Discussion
The following can be concluded from the results obtained:
The CIP-compatible fluid bed system shows fewer analytically demonstrable contaminated zones
than does the manually cleaned system.
The residue amounts of the individual samples are higher with the conventional construction fluid
bed system that with manual cleaning.
The reproducibility of cleaning success is higher with the CIP-compatible fluid bed system than
with manual cleaning.
Other projects are currently investigating the interactions among different groups of formulation com-
ponents with the various cleaning methods of a technical nature, as well as with regard to the other
parameters that determine the cleaning results. The defined goal is, with knowledge of the formulation,
to rapidly optimize the cleaning in order to achieve a true CIP process that conforms to GMP.
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