Manage Milk Meter Wash Requirements

Proper cleaning of the milking system is crucial for milk quality and ensuring device function.

Cleaning Recommendations

We recommend chemical dispensing pumps for accurate detergent dispensation.

Butyl Glycol or Butyl Cellusolve at a concentration of 10% detergent may damage plastic components of the system. If such compounds are used in the chemical solution, Afimilk recommends a concentration that is as low as possible.

General Instructions

The cleaning cycle of the MPC Milk Meter body is executed together with the standard milking system cleaning cycle - CIP.

The following conditions must be met in every cleaning cycle:

  • The vacuum pump operates throughout the cleaning cycle - A temporary halt in vacuum while the sink is filled can cause milk and cleaning fluid to penetrate outwardly into the gaskets' grooves.

  • ALL milk meters must be in Cleaning Mode throughout the cleaning process - See End of Session Sequence.

  • A sufficient amount of water should be applied to “flood” the interior chambers for ALL milk meter bodies during every cleaning stage.

Various cleaning systems and procedures are used in milking parlors. The following rules apply to ALL procedures and detergents.

Caution: Follow all of the manufacturers’ recommendations, including concentrations, temperatures, and cleaning-cycle times. Excessive use of chemicals may damage the milk meters.

Detergent Wash

The detergent wash follows three phases:

Phase 1: Initial wash - The initial wash occurs in an open circuit to rinse out residual milk. Use lukewarm water that empties in the drain until the water becomes clear.

  • If the water is too cold, milk fats solidify onto surfaces, and are difficult to remove.

  • If the water is too hot, milk fats are “baked” onto surfaces.

Phase 2 – Detergent Sanitation

  1. Circulate hot water, and empty the water to the drain until the system warms up.

  2. Place the milk line in the circulating position, add the soap to the water in the sink and circulate for 10 – 12 minutes.

  3. Circulate the water in a closed circuit (CIP) with detergent. Use a basic detergent additive (pH=13) and hot water:

    • Entry water: 70°C [158°F] or hotter

    • Returning water: 55°C [131°F] or hotter

  1. Drain the cleaning fluid after circulation.

Final Rinse - Open circuit rinse - to wash out detergent residues. Leaving detergent inside the milk meter may damage its parts.

  • Use cold water. Empty the water in the drain until the water becomes clear.

Acid Wash

An acid wash is performed three times a week, or more frequently if necessary.

Note: The acid wash does not replace the daily cleaning routine. (Cleaning solutions that remove both milk residues and hard water/milk stone are available.)

The acid wash follows the cycle below:

  1. Rinse the detergent solution out of the system with cold water.

  2. Circulate with phosphoric and/or sulfuric acid for 10–12 minutes and drain. Use hot water and a chemical additive:

  3. Entry water: 70°C [158°F] minimum

  4. Returning water: 50°C [122°F] minimum

  5. Rinse the system with cold water.

Clean Exterior Surfaces

To clean exterior surfaces of milk meter bodies and control boxes, moisten a soft cloth with water and gently rub the surfaces.

Warning: Wash solution detergents in high concentration may damage plastic and rubber parts. Do not use any kind of detergent on either the control panel or on the milk meter body exterior.

Warning: Do not direct jets of water on the MPC Control Box.

Warning: Avoid all contact of between pesticides and the milk meter body exteriors and control panels.

See Afimilk Parlor and Production Quality for more information on setting the wash system.