Kvaerner Process Systems

Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd

Document No. : 9055-Q-PR-0150

Revision No .:
0
Page :
1 of 3

CLEANING PROCEDURE - PIPING

1.0

GENERAL

1.1

This procedure defines the minimum requirements for cleaning of pipe spools assembled as
part of a package or, as individual spools.

1.2

It is the responsibility of the Quality Control Engineer to ensure that all cleaning complies with
the requirements of this procedure.

1.3

Cleaning is to be carried out to ensure removal of construction debris from the piping. Cleaning
of piping shall generally be carried out at distinct stages of assembly as indicated in Section 3
below.

1.4

The cleaning medium shall be determined based on the service requirements of the piping (see
Section 2 below).

1.5

Cleaning shall be carried out in a controlled manner. During flushing or blowing activities all
non essential personnel shall be prohibited from entering the area where flushing/blowing is
taking place.

2.0

CLEANING PROCESS

2.1

The required cleaning process shall be specified depending on the service requirements.
As a general guideline the following requirements shall apply for new piping.

2.2

Generally all piping shall be subject to a water flush, followed by air blowing using
compressed air.

2.3

Piping to be installed upstream of Compressors may be subject to acid cleaning when

required by a particular Client but shall preferably be avoided. In cases where the piping is to
be acid cleaned the piping shall be designed with adequate flanged joints such the subsequent
neutralisation processes can be adequately carried out.
As a general rule the below listed piping shall not be acid cleaned :a)
b)
c)
d)

265986468.doc

Galvanised pipe spools.

GRE pipe spools
Pipe spools with socket welded or threaded valves installed.
Pipe spools for specific processes which could be subject to detrimental contamination
of the service fluid or downstream equipment i.e.
Chemical Injection
MEG/TEG

Kvaerner Process Systems

Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd

Document No. : 9055-Q-PR-0150

Revision No .:
0
Page :
2 of 3

CLEANING PROCEDURE - PIPING

e)

Piping upstream of Membrane units

Hydraulic systems
Small bore piping < 2 NB.

In cases where a particular Client requires acid cleaning of the above piping the matter shall be
referred to KPSAPs Engineering Manager.

2.4
flushing.

Stainless steel or high alloy piping shall be subject to pickling and passivation, prior to

2.5

Hydraulic piping or tubing shall only be flushed with hydraulic oil.

2.6

Instrument tubing shall only be cleaned/flushed using dry air or Nitrogen.

2.7

3.0

Piping used in cryogenic services may be subject to internal blasting when required by
the Client. In such cases all pipe spools shall be blasted as stand alone spools (i.e. not
assembled).

CLEANING PROCEDURE

3.1

Single Pipe Spools

3.1.1

Single pipe spools shall be flushed with water either before or after hydrotesting and, air blown
after painting activities prior to installation.

3.1.2

Pipe spools shall be thoroughly dried after flushing or hydrotesting activities.

3.2

Assembled Pipe Spools

3.2.1

Pipe spools which are to be hydrotested in position (i.e. as part of a package/module) shall be
air blown prior to installation using 5 barg (nominal) compressed air.
Assembled pipe spools shall be flushed using service water, before or after hydrotesting.
Assembled piping shall be air flushed/blown dry using compressed air after
flushing/hydrotest activities.

265986468.doc

Kvaerner Process Systems

Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd

Document No. : 9055-Q-PR-0150

Revision No .:
0
Page :
3 of 3

CLEANING PROCEDURE - PIPING

In the case of stainless steel or other high alloy piping flushing shall be carried out utilising low
chloride content (40 ppm max) water except where flushing is carried out prior to hydrotesting
during which low chloride content water is to be used as the test medium.
3.2.2

During water flushing all piping shall be installed in their normal service positions. Filling with
water shall be from the lowest practicable point. Piping shall be vented at the highest
practicable point(s).

3.2.3

All control valves and orifice plates shall be removed during flushing. Instrument impulse
tubing shall be removed and all-in line instruments shall be isolated or removed. All in-line
valves shall be fully opened.

3.2.4

The flushing water discharge point shall be located as close as practicable to the Plant/Package
discharge so that the flushing direction is from the Plant/Package inlet to the Plant/Package
outlet. Flushing of lines which tie in to existing piping should be flushed only through/from
the tie in point, flushing in to existing piping systems shall not be carried out.

3.2.5

In case of large complex packages or modules, the flushing sequence, spade points, instruments
to be removed, location of temporary strainers or catchment bowls etc., shall be as marked on
the project Piping and Instrument Diagrams.

3.2.6

Flushing shall be carried out by the application of 5 barg (nominal) compressed air to a water
filled piping system. In the case of storage tanks and associated piping, the storage tank may be
filled to a suitable level and, the outlet/drain valve opened so that flushing occurs as a result of
the differential static head.

3.3

For lines which normally operate dry i.e. Nitrogen, Instrument Air and Plant Air, flushing shall
be carried out using compressed air only.

4.0

RECORDS

4.1

Satisfactory system flushing shall be recorded by signing the project Inspection & Test Plan and
Package Acceptance Check List.

265986468.doc