Material resistance and equipment compatibility are different questions
Inopor describes pH stability and chemical cleaning in selected ceramic applications, including recovery of acidic and alkaline dairy CIP solutions. This establishes a possible application, not universal acceptance of every chemical, mixture or cleaning sequence by every ceramic module.
Ask the supplier to confirm the simultaneous pH, temperature, concentration, pressure and duration limits for the selected element in writing. A published pH range for the support does not replace seal and housing specifications.
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Chemistry and concentration | A commercial cleaner can contain oxidants, surfactants or chelants in addition to acid or alkali. |
| Temperature and time | Compatibility may differ for a short wash and continuous exposure. |
| Seals and housing | The first degraded component may be outside the ceramic layer. |
| Permeability and retention | Flux recovery alone does not prove that separation is intact. |
Design a useful cleaning trial
Record a baseline for temperature-normalised permeability, permeate quality and differential pressure with the actual water. After a representative fouling cycle, run the proposed cleaning process under the manufacturer's approved procedure. Measure water and chemical demand, downtime, recovered permeability and permeate quality on restart.
Repeat across several cycles: a wash that works once may accelerate deterioration or move fouling elsewhere in the train. Account for the spent cleaning liquor and its compatibility with downstream wastewater treatment.
- Do not mix incompatible reagents or improvise concentrations.
- Log pressure, flow and temperature events in each phase.
- Inspect seals and use the integrity test appropriate to the module.
Decision point
Compare chemicals, rinse water, lost production and module life against pretreatment or less aggressive cleaning. If the goal is to recover CIP liquor, measure recovered chemical quality and contaminant load separately; filtration alone does not establish that the liquid can be reused against the process specification.
Common questions
Can I apply the ceramic material's maximum pH to the complete installation?
No. A seal, adhesive, housing or sensor may have a narrower limit than the ceramic layer.