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✓ Reviewed by: Naresh Bhakar
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📅 Last Updated: October 19, 2026
This SOP on cleaning of paste preparation kettle explains how to clean the paste preparation vessel after batch changeover or contact-part maintenance. Operators soak it in purified water, scrub with a nylon scrubber, rinse, dry, and wipe with 70% w/w IPA. They then update status labels and record times in the usage log.
1.0 Objective
To lay down a procedure in this SOP on cleaning of paste preparation kettle.
2.0 Scope
This SOP on cleaning of paste preparation kettle applies to the cleaning of the paste preparation kettle in the production area. The steps call the kettle the ‘paste preparation vessel’.
3.0 Responsibility
Operator, Officer and Executive – Production Department.
Manager – Production Department.
4.0 Procedure for SOP on Cleaning of Paste Preparation Kettle
This is a cleaning procedure for three situations. The first is changeover of one batch to the next batch/ product with ascending potency. The second is a product with different actives/color / descending potency. The third is after the maintenance of contact parts.
4.1 On the paste preparation vessel, replace the ‘TO BE CLEANED’ status label with the ‘UNDER CLEANING’ status label, showing the date and signature of the Production Officer.
4.2 Enter the cleaning start time of the paste preparation vessel in the equipment usage log sheet.
4.3 Remove the detachable portion of the lid and the stirrer.
4.4 Load 50 – 60 Liters of purified water into the vessel, open the hot water inlet valve to warm the water, and soak for 15 minutes.
4.5 Scrub the inside, outside of the vessel, and lid of the vessel with a nylon scrubber to remove the adhered material.
4.6 Rotate the handwheel anticlockwise to tilt the vessel and drain the water.
4.7 Clean the inside, outside, steam cable, the lid of paste preparation vessel, and stirrer with 15 to 20 liters of purified water.
4.8 Dry the paste preparation vessel, lid, and stirrer with the help of a dry lint-free duster.
4.9 Wipe the paste preparation vessel and all the parts of the vessel with 70% w/w IPA solution.
4.10 Rotate the handwheel towards the clockwise direction to bring the vessel to the original position.
4.11 Fix the stirrer and keep the lid over the paste preparation vessel.
4.12 Affix label on the vessel as “CLEANED” with date and signature of the Production Officer.
4.13 If the paste preparation vessel is idle for 72 hours or more, wipe all its parts with 70% w/w IPA solution.
4.14 Replace the previous ‘CLEANED’ status label with the current date ‘CLEANED’ status label with the date and signature of the production officer.
4.15 Record the cleaning completion time of paste preparation vessel in equipment usage log book.
Related SOP: SOP on Peristaltic Pump
5.0 Abbreviation (S)
IPA: Isopropyl Alcohol
SOP: Standard Operating Procedure
w/w: Weight/weight
Frequently Asked Questions
Use it for changeover of one batch to the next batch/ product with ascending potency. Use it for a product with different actives/color / descending potency. Use it after the maintenance of contact parts (section 4.0).
Load 50 – 60 Liters of purified water into the vessel and open the hot water inlet valve to warm the water. Then soak for 15 minutes (step 4.4).
After drying with a dry lint-free duster, wipe the paste preparation vessel and all its parts with 70% w/w IPA solution (steps 4.8 and 4.9).
Wipe all the parts of the paste preparation vessel again with 70% w/w IPA solution (step 4.13).
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