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http://www.slideshare.net/GerardBHawkins/piping-and-vessels-flushing-andcleaning-procedure
http://www.combustionsafety.com/uploads/epripaper.pdf
http://www.fourquest.com/services/air-blowing/
http://www.whatispiping.com/cleaning-requirements
http://www.esafetyline.com/eei/conference%20pdf%20files/EEI%20Spring
%202012/GHatcher_Gas%20Blow.pdf
http://www.sail.co.in/sites/default/files/ipss/1-06-034-98.pdf
http://www.machinerylubrication.com/Read/207/flushing-hydraulic-systems
http://www.airbestpractices.com/technology/air-treatment/n2/why-do-compressedair-systems-need-drying
https://www.google.co.in/url?
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%3DPipeline_DryingTechniques.pdf&usg=AFQjCNGJl6rKwJ8mnpgV8915mNSjeb54Fg
&bvm=bv.104819420,d.dmo
http://www.inspection-for-industry.com/pressure-test-of-piping-system.html
http://www.powermag.com/best-practices-for-natural-gas-line-cleaning/
https://www.scribd.com/doc/48478663/BES-CO-05-003-Piping-Flushing-and-PressureTesting
http://www.powermag.com/the-end-of-the-line-for-pipe-cleaning-with-natural-gas/
http://www.ct.gov/csc/lib/csc/pendingproceeds/docket_nt2010/nt-2010-20130730pe785_957bfcppipecleaninginfo.pdf

This content provides you with a example piping and equipment cleaning specification.
This article is useful for field inspectors.
1.

GENERAL - Piping and Equipment Cleaning Specification

1.1.

This specification covers general requirements for cleaning of piping and

equipment in construction and commissioning works for the plant. All required
equipment, devices, tools, materials and labors for any construction or
commissioning work shall be provided by Construction Contractor.

1.2.

UNITS - Piping and Equipment Cleaning Specification

Unless otherwise specified, Metric, Celsius and Kilogram unit shall be applied as the
measurement system for the drawings and documents to be submitted, except that

nominal size and rating of piping components may be inch (B) and pound (LB)
system.

1.3.

RELATED CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS - Piping and Equipment Cleaning

Specification

The related construction specifications to supplement this specification are as

follows:
Pressure test of Piping System ----------

1.4.

SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS

Specific job requirements such as Owners special and/or local requirements as well
as specific job data are in contradiction to this specification, specific job
requirements shall govern.
All instruction in preliminary and final operation manual, licensors or vendors
requirements shall be considered and applied by Construction Contractor.

1.5.

SAFETY AND SANITATION - Piping and Equipment Cleaning Specification

1.5.1.

Observance of laws and regulations, prevention of accident Construction

Contractor shall observe the applicable laws and regulations for safety and
sanitation concerning the following items, during the works and be fully responsible
as the enterprise.
A.

Laborer's safety and sanitation

B.

Prevention of environmental pollution

C.

Handling of dangerous substances

1.5.2.

Personnel in Charge for Safety and Sanitation

Construction Contractor shall assign the person in charge of safety and sanitation at
site and let him manage the safety and sanitation affairs.

1.5.3.

Observance of Rules

Construction Contractor shall obey the safety and sanitation rules

prescribed by Consultant.
1.5.4.

Measures for Safety

Construction Contractor shall take utmost care not to give any damage to the plant
personnel and equipment including third person during the works. Necessary
additional measures for safety shall be taken, when Consultant requires to do so.
1.5.5.

Governmental Procedures

Governmental procedure concerning the safety and sanitation should be taken by

Construction Contractor when it is his duty. In this case, these procedures shall be
taken after getting Consultant's personnel approval.
1.5.6.

Participation in Council for Safety and Sanitation

Construction Contractor shall participate in the council for safety and sanitation which
will be established at the site and cooperate in prevention of accident.

2.

CODES AND STANDARDS - Piping and Equipment Cleaning Specification

2.1.
The applicable codes and standards shall be as per ASME B31.3 (Latest

Edition) Process Piping.

2.2.

It shall be the responsibility of Construction Contractor that the works

conform to the specified codes and standards or legal requirements.
2.3.

Where there are conflicts between drawings and specifications and the
specified codes and standards or legal requirements, such conflicts shall be
immediately referred to Consultant.

3.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS - Piping and Equipment Cleaning Specification

3.1.

TREATMENT FOR PIPING COMPONENTS

Vinyl caps which cover end of piping component such as pipe and valves shall not be
removed till the fabrication.

3.2.
CLEANING OF FABRICATED PIPING - Piping and Equipment Cleaning
Specification
Inside surface and welding surface of fabricated piping shall be free from slag,
chambers, scales and other foreign matter with grinder, chisel, wire brush, etc., and be
air blower. After completion of air blowing and checking, ends of the piping shall be
covered with vinyl or veneer cap, etc. till the installation in the field.
4.

PROCEDURE OF CLEANING - Piping and Equipment Cleaning Specification

4.1.

GENERAL

4.1.1.

Cleaning method shall be selected in the following method considering kind

of fluid, pipe material and condition of internal surface of piping to be cleaned.
Cleaning method and extent to be applied shall be as specified in Specific Job
Requirements. (See Table 1)
A. Water cleaning shall be applied in case that the fluid of piping is liquid. But, in
case that water cleaning is not adequate, other suitable flushing method shall be
applied.
B. Air cleaning shall be applied in case that fluid of piping is gas. But in case that
air cleaning is not adequate, other suitable cleaning method shall be applied.
C. Chemical cleaning shall be applied to field installed Lube Oil line, compressors
suction lines, plate type heat exchanger inlet line, steam generation loops, piping
around adsorber tower and all other parts that specify in operation or vendors
manual unless otherwise specified by the Owner.
D.
Oil cleaning shall be applied to field installed
after chemical cleaning, unless otherwise specified by the Owner.
E.

Mechanical cleaning -

Lube

Oil

line

F. Steam cleaning shall be applied in case that the fluid of piping is steam and for
other equipment that specify in operation manual. But, in case that steam flushing
is not adequate, other suitable flushing method shall be applied.
G.

Others

4.1.2.
Temporary strainers shall be used as follows:

A. After installation of piping, the temporary strainers with 80 mesh x #38 screen
shall be installed and cleaning performed until no foreign material comes to the
strainer.
B.
The temporary strainers shall be installed at pump suction piping, piping
upstream of control valve and other location specified in Specific Job Requirements.
C. Mark plate shall be attached to the temporary strainers to distinguish from other
strainers.
D. After a constant period of initial operation, all temporary strainers shall be
removed.

4.2.

WATER CLEANING - Piping and Equipment Cleaning Specification

4.2.1.

As a rule, pure water, service water, steam condensate industrial water, etc.
shall be applied with maximum chloride ion content 50ppm and sea water shall not
be applied. If using of sea water is unavoidable, washing by fresh water shall be
carried out at least on time to prevent corrosion after using of sea water. In any
case, sea water shall not be used for cleaning of austenitic, stainless steel.
4.2.2.

Water cleaning shall be performed by the method of running be pressurized

water and hammering, or rapid draining with water filled. Hammering shall,
however, not be performed for austenic stainless steel pipe, copper pipe, aluminum
pipe.
4.2.3.

After cleaning, drying by compressed air or natural drying shall be carried

out. Drying by superheated steam shall be carried out with agreement between
Owner and Consultant.
4.2.4.

Number of times of cleaning shall be as follows:

A.

Primary cleaning - two times or more

B.

Secondary cleaning - one time or more

4.2.5.

The primary cleaning shall be performed for each assemble piping. And
secondary cleaning, as a rule, shall be performed for whole of the piping system
including the equipment.
4.2.6.

Where instruments are included in piping system to be cleaned the

instruments shall, as a rule, be disconnected and spool pipe (distance piece) shall
be inserted instead.
4.2.7.

When cleaning is carried out in condition where control valve is connected,

the procedure shall be as follows:
A. Disconnect companion flanges in upstream side of the control valve and cover
openings of the control valve.
B.

Clean the piping of upstream side.

C.
Connect the control valve and piping of upstream side after completion of
cleaning.
E. Close the control valve, open by-pass valve, and then clean the piping of
downstream side. Where the by-pass valve is not installed, the temporary strainer
having austenitic stainless steel screen of No. 50 specified in ASTM E11 shall be
inserted.
4.2.8.

All accessories such as circulation pump, temporary pipes, spools, hoses, strainer,
tank, etc. shall be supplied by Construction Contractor.
4.3.

AIR CLEANING - Piping and Equipment Cleaning Specification

4.3.1.

Air cleaning shall be performed by the method of blowing be pressurized air

and hammering. Hammering shall, however, not be performed for austenitic
stainless steel pipe, copper pipe and aluminum pipe.
4.3.2.

Number of times of the cleaning shall be as follows:

A.

Primary cleaning - two times or more

B.

Secondary cleaning - one time or more

4.3.3.

The primary cleaning shall be performed for each assembly piping. The
secondary cleaning shall, as a rule, be performed for piping from equipment to
adjacent equipment. Whether of not the equipment is included, the cleaning
method shall be determined considering shape, internal construction and packing of
the equipment and according to overall cleaning plan.
4.3.4.

Treatment of instruments and handling of temporary strainer shall conform

to the requirements specified in Para. 4.1.2.

4.4.

CHEMICAL CLEANING - Piping and Equipment Cleaning Specification

4.4.1.

Chemical cleaning shall be applied to field installed lube oil line and compressor
suction lines, plate type heat exchanger inlet line, steam generation loops, piping
around adsorber towers and all other parts that specify in operation or vendors
manual.
4.4.2.

Construction Contractor is responsible to provide specific procedures for each

chemical cleaning. These procedures shall include marked up drawings, volume of
system, required chemical materials, neutralization procedure and all other
requirements.
The application of chemical materials shall be in accordance with suppliers
instruction.
As a rule, chemical cleaning by circulation
the general procedure shall be as follows:

or pickling

shall

be

applied

and

1) System isolation and flushing with water.

2) Degreasing before chemical application.
3) Sufficient rinsing.
4) Acid cleaning
5) Sufficient rinsing
6) Passivation
7) Preservation up to start up
8) Any procedure or method for chemical cleaning shall be subject to the Owners
approval and the performance of such chemical cleaning shall be to the Owners
satisfaction.
4.4.3.
Where oil cleaning specified in Para. 4.5 is applied, the inside of piping shall be given a
coat of anti-corrosive oil except when oil cleaning is to be carried out successively after
completion of the chemical cleaning.
4.4.4.

Detail procedure and check list for chemical cleaning is shown in attachment #1
and #2. Licensor or vendors instructions shall be considered by Construction
Contractor.

4.5.

OIL CLEANING4.5.1.

Oil cleaning shall be applied to the field installed lube oil piping system after
the chemical cleaning specified in Para. 4.4 has been performed. Vendors
instruction shall be considered by Construction Contractor.
4.5.2.

The procedure shall be as follows:

A.
The cleaning shall be performed by the method of circulation of the oil and
hammering. Hammering shall, however, not be performed for copper pipe.
B. Oil to be used shall have the good quality, and be suitable for the machinery,
and shall be completely replaced with the specified oil after cleaning.
C.
After completion of cleaning, piping system shall be checked that no foreign
matters are present in temporary strainer having two screens of No. 200 specified
in ASTM E-11 for oil piping of centrifugal compressor, and in temporary strainer
having a screen of No.100 specified in ASTM E-11 for other oil piping.

4.6.

STEAM CLEANING - Piping and Equipment Cleaning Specification

4.6.1.

Steam cleaning shall be performed after completion of pressure test. Pipe support
shall be attached to exhaust piping to prevent accident caused by the reaction
force. In general, following items are required during the cleaning.
A.

Removal or opening of steam trap, vent and drain

B.

Warming up for piping (To be blown gradually with cooperation by operator)

C.
Checking for expansion joints, spring hangers, etc. caused by thermal
expansion.
D. Steam cleaning temperature (Cleaning shall be performed at the temperature
near to the operating temperature considering operating condition of boiler.)
E.
Cooling down (To remove the scale effectively by temperature change, it is
required to perform cleaning and cooling cyclically, having temperature difference
as large as possible between cleaning and cooling period.)
4.6.2.

Judgment on result of steam cleaning shall be generally be done by checking of

the target inserted in line opening or foreign material present in the drain
sampled if applicable. Strict requirements of steam driven machinery suppliers shall
be considered.

4.7.

MECHANICAL CLEANING - Piping and Equipment Cleaning Specification

4.7.1.

Mechanical driven rotary cleaning tool or wire brush shall be applied and
pushed through the inside of the pipe.
4.7.2.

Shot or sand blasting, if required, shall be performed.

4.8.

OTHER CLEANING METHODS - Piping and Equipment Cleaning Specification

4.8.1.

Cleaning by the use of pig shall conform to specific job requirements.

4.8.2.

Cleaning by sodium hydroxide solution shall conform to specific job

requirements.
4.8.3.

Special cleaning, if specified for special piping components of systems, shall

conform to specific job requirements.
4.8.4.

Some piping cannot be cleaned by any method due to the special

configuration such as too big bore piping (non flushing line).
Non flushing lines shall be identified at the initial stage of piping works, and will be
manually cleaned before installation with witness of Owner.
DETAIL PROCEDURE FOR CHEMICAL CLEANING

1 General Requirements for Chemical Cleaning - Piping and Equipment Cleaning

Specification
1.1 The layout of the circulation system shall assure complete circulation and that
there are no dead ends or branches that will create traps.
1.2 Each circulation system must have adequate high point vents and low points
drains.
1.3 The piping to be chemically cleaned must be sufficiently flushed and degreased
prior to chemically cleaning operation.
1.4 The piping shall be pre-inspected to assure that no foreign material is present
which cannot be removed by chemical cleaning.

Chemical Cleaning - Piping and Equipment Cleaning Specification

2.1 The circulation loop shall be established and the system shall be filled with
water or the rinsing water used at degreasing operation.
R1 2.2 The water shall be circulated and water temperature shall be raised
to required temperature.
R1 2.3 When the temperature is achieved, chemicals shall be injected:
R1 2.4 The solution shall be circulated until the iron content in the solution levels
out constant, but in any event a circulation period of 8 hours is recommended.
2.5 During the circulation period, the complete filling of the piping with solution
shall be checked. Any gas volumes accumulated at high points shall be safely
vented.

R1 2.6 After the circulation period, the system shall be drained and flushed to
tankers by displacing the inhibited acid with rinse water until the pH value of the
outflow is equal to that of the inflow and no appreciable amounts of debris appear
at the drain points.

Passivation - Piping and Equipment Cleaning Specification

R1 3.1 After pH value is adjusted, circulation shall be re-established and water

temperature shall be raised to required temperature.
3.2 When the temperature is achieved, the water in the system shall be treated as
follows:
1) Inject 0.5% w/w citric acid and circulate for 30 minutes.
2) After this time, Inject ammonia to a pH of 9.5.
3) When solution is homogeneous, Inject 1% sodium nitrite.
4) Circulate the solution for a minimum 4 hours, then drain the system and rinse
briefly with ammoniated water.
3.3 After this treatment, the system shall be throughly drained and blown through
with nitrogen.
3.4 No water shall remain in the cleaned piping.

Preservation - Piping and Equipment Cleaning Specification

4.1 The chemically cleaned piping surface shall be properly protected until
commissioning of piping.
4.2 Pipe spools cleaned in a batch operation shall be sprayed with a light
preservation oil and all openings shall be sealed to avoid ingressing of foreign
material.
4.3 Compressor suction piping and process piping shall be blanketed with nitrogen.

Inspection and Testing of Chemical Cleaning

5.1 All parts shall be visually examined prior to commencing chemical cleaning
operations to determine the adequacy of pre-cleaning and to determine the
presence of mill varnish.
5.2
The log for each cleaning operation shall be kept to identify the piping
included in the individual circulation loop.

5.3 The log shall state the chemicals and concentrations used, duration of each
individual cleaning step, temperatures, name of inspectors, time, etc.
5.4 Temperature must be closely monitored, especially the temperature of the
degreasing solution cannot exceed 80C.
5.5 The concentrations and the efficiencies of the solutions shall be controlled by
chemical analysis. As a minimum following test shall be performed.
1) sulphuric acid strength
2) iron level in solution
3) inhibitor efficiency
4) citric acid strength (until ammonia is added)
5) pH value of solution
R1 6) Conductivity
R1 7) Alkalinity
R1 8) Clearness
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