Efficiently Derouging Stainless-Steel Process Systems

CIP 200® Acid-Based Process and Research Cleaner


Common Derouging Challenges in Pharmaceuticals and Related Fields

If you work in a pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device or related industry, you know that rouging is a chronic, industry-wide problem.

Rouge is that reddish-brown rust layer that builds up on stainless steel over time. The corrosion is usually found in systems made of 304, 316 and 316L stainless steel. It can also occur on electropolished surfaces.

Removing corrosion from the stainless steel requires a quality derouging chemical.


A Pharmaceutical Company Needed a Better Derouging Solution

A large pharmaceutical company came to STERIS because its current derouging program was no longer fitting its needs.

At that time, the company paid a derouging contractor to remove corrosion from its stainless steel manufacturing vessels and piping. Using the contractor was a costly expense. Moreover, the derouging agent was a difficult-to-find proprietary formula that didn’t simultaneously clean or passivate.

The pharmaceutical company was looking for readily available derouging chemicals that efficiently and effectively remove rust from stainless steel.


Derouging with CIP 200 Acid-Based Process and Research Cleaner

After getting a complete understanding of its business and what the pharmaceutical company was looking for, STERIS recommended CIP 200 Acid-Based Process and Research Cleaner.

STERIS then used CIP 200 on the pharmaceutical company’s stainless steel water systems to demonstrate the benefits of removing built-up corrosion with its commercial stainless steel cleaner.

Piping with Electropolished 316L Stainless Steel
  • Prepared a 5% concentration of CIP 200 cleaner in hot water for injection (WFI)
  • Started process at a 158°F/70°C temperature
  • Hooked the pipes (typically 1-1/2 inches in diameter) to a 600-liter portable vessel with a centrifugal pump
  • Recirculated derouging solution through the pipes under turbulent flow conditions for 45 minutes
  • Neutralized and discharged spent solution
  • Rinsed, recirculating water for 15 minutes, three times
  • Analyzed rinse water samples for residual CIP 200 cleaner by titration and pH
300-19,000 L Vessels with Electropolished 316L Stainless Steel
  • Prepared a 5% concentration of CIP 200 cleaner in WFI inside the process vessel
  • Recirculated solution through the process piping and the dedicated spray devices
  • Continued derouging process for 1-1/2 hours
  • Rinsed, recirculating water for 15 minutes through the spray device, three times
  • Analyzed rinse water samples for residual CIP 200 cleaner by titration and pH


The End Result: A Happy Customer

STERIS demonstrated the benefits of using CIP 200 in the pharmaceutical company’s manufacturing vessels and piping. The simultaneous cleaning, derouging, and passivation offered the efficiency and cost-effectiveness the company wanted. It also produced visually clean and derouged stainless steel surfaces.

Thanks to the successful trial, the pharmaceutical company switched to STERIS commercial stainless steel cleaner. It now uses CIP 200 cleaner for routine stainless steel buildup removal throughout its large facility.


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Download Derouging Infographic