Reducing Contamination Risks in Hygienic Environments With the Right Mechanical Seal

Industries such as pharmaceutical, biotechnology and food production rely on hygienic processing to protect product quality, meet regulatory standards and minimise the risk of contamination. One of the most essential requirements in these environments is cleanability. If a mechanical seal cannot be thoroughly cleaned and sterilised without disassembly, the risk of contamination increases, maintenance becomes more complex and equipment uptime suffers.

What are CIP and SIP?

Cleaning-in-Place (CIP) and Sterilisation-in-Place (SIP) are essential cleaning methods for removing residues and eliminating microbial contaminants between production batches.

CIP:

• Removes soil, product residue and cleaning agents without disassembling or relocating the equipment
• Uses acid or caustic solutions circulated through the system
• Typically performed at ambient to moderately elevated temperatures
• Aims to restore clean surfaces before sterilisation
• Reduces manual labour and downtime between batches

SIP:

• Destroys microbial life remaining after cleaning
• Uses steam, hot water or sterilising gas
• Operates at high temperatures, typically between 120°C and 150°C
• Requires exposure for a specific duration (usually around 20 minutes)
• Ensures sterile conditions in validated hygienic processes

These procedures allow production to resume quickly and safely without dismantling the system. However, they place high demands on materials and equipment design.

Why Seal Design Matters for Cleanability

Mechanical seals must endure repeated CIP and SIP cycles without degradation. Important design features include:

• Smooth, drainable surfaces to prevent microbial traps
• FDA- and USP-compliant materials, especially for elastomers
• Resistance to chemicals and high temperatures
• Seal face exposure to cleaning and sterilisation agents

If a seal lacks these qualities, it may retain contaminants, degrade over time or require frequent dismantling, increasing risk and cost.

The Cost of Inadequate Cleanability

When mechanical seals are not designed for effective CIP and SIP, the consequences can surpass maintenance challenges. Even a slight lapse in cleanability can compromise hygiene, impacting product quality, operational efficiency and compliance.

The consequences of poor cleanability include:

• Product loss due to contamination
• Unplanned equipment downtime
• Increased maintenance costs
• Regulatory non-compliance

To ensure effective cleanability, mechanical seals must integrate with CIP and SIP systems while maintaining consistent performance.

The Type 5280: Engineered for Hygienic Cleanability

John Crane's Type 5280 mechanical seal is specifically engineered to support repeated CIP and SIP cycles while maintaining sealing integrity. Its hygienic design includes smooth, drainable surfaces and FDA-compliant materials that withstand the chemical and thermal stresses of hygienic cleaning protocols. These features make it an ideal solution for clean processing environments where contamination risk must be tightly controlled.

To learn more, contact our mechanical seal experts about sealing reliability and clean process technology.

Thanks for reading Part II of our three-part blog series on hygienic sealing. You can read Part I on contamination risks and Part III on mechanical seals. For more insights, explore our other resources on sealing reliability and clean process technology.