Alfa Laval's new free-rotating retractor, a highly efficient retractable cleaning device, provides complete cleaning safety and increases product safety while extending uptime and increasing productivity.

"The free rotating retractor is the latest example of how Alfa Laval is working to achieve 100% cleaning coverage in hygienic processing lines such as milk or milk powder plants," says Babak Shojaei, Manager Product Management Tank Cleaning at Alfa Laval. "We strive tirelessly to innovate to meet the needs of our customers."

Complete cleaning safety

The freely rotating retractor makes it easy to clean hygienic containers quickly and economically so that all internal surfaces are spotlessly clean and ready for production. This dynamic and resource-efficient retractable CIP device remains flush with the container wall and sealed off from the product compartment during production. The spray head is extended and ejects the cleaning medium over the container surface in a 310° spray pattern. Once the cleaning cycle is complete, the spray head is retracted again and the container is ready for production.

More uptime and product safety

The free-rotating retractor quickly and effectively removes residues from the inner surfaces of hard-to-clean containers, reduces cross-contamination, minimizes downtime and increases productivity. It complies with FDA, EU and Chinese regulations and ensures very good hygiene and cleaning validity in the process plants of dairies, the food and beverage industry, the household and personal care industry and other sectors. The free-rotating retractor is the solution for high-purity pharmaceutical and biotechnological processing plants. A 3.1 documentation package for metal parts is available on request.

Up to 35% savings in water, chemicals and time
Compared to conventional static spray ball technology, this dynamic and resource-efficient cleaning system saves up to 35% water, chemicals and time for each CIP cycle. This improves the_{CO2 footprint} by using resources more efficiently.

Low total cost of ownership

Thanks to its slim design, the free-rotating retractor is easy and economical to install, operate and maintain. For complete automation of operations, two or more retractors can be connected to an existing CIP system via Alfa Laval ThinkTop sensor and control units. All in all, the total cost of ownership of the retractor is low due to the low cost and effort associated with maintaining and operating the retractor.