CHEMICAL

CLEANING
GENERAL GUIDELINE AND PROCEDURE

PREPARED BY:

Industrial Cleaning Services Public Company Limited

Office address:
88/8 Warisara 3 Moo 3 Pala , Ban Chang, Rayong 21130, Thailand

CHEMICAL CLEANING
GENERAL
Industrial Cleaning Services Co.,
Ltd. GUIDELINE AND PROCEDURE

Ref. No. :
Issued Date: 017/06/ 2014
Rev. 0

Page: 2

Work shop address:

99 Moo 3, Pala District, Ban chang, Rayong 21130, Thailand
Phone: 038 601029 Fax. 038 601030

SECTION 1
STAINLESS STEEL CHEMICAL CLEANING
INTRODUCTION
This procedure covers the chemical cleaning (pickling) of the stainless
piping either prior to fabrication commissioning or post operational
maintenance

purpose

by

chemical

circulation

method.

The

present

specification covers the pickling and passivation of SS piping and does not
require separate passivation of pickled surface.
The object of the chemical cleaning is to remove all extraneous matter,
dirt, dust, grease, oil, welding slag, loose rust, oxide scales that may be
present on the piping to avoid the contamination of the production mainly by
way of iron pick up. The chemical cleaning is required to achieve product
quality. This procedure specifies the method of cleaning and passivation of
internal surfaces of SS piping based on use of acid mixture of nitric acid and
hydrofluoric acid prior to taking in service for the first time after installation
or fabrication.

WORKING PROCEDURE
STEP 01 - WATER FLUSHING & LEAK TEST:
The circuit (loop) shall be checked with circulation of water to check
tightness. Any leakage if observed shall be attended and tightened.
a) Fill up water to Tank
b) Start water circulation : Water Tank => Pump => Piping system
=> Water Tank

CHEMICAL CLEANING
GENERAL
Industrial Cleaning Services Co.,
Ltd. GUIDELINE AND PROCEDURE

Ref. No. :
Issued Date: 017/06/ 2014
Rev. 0

Page: 3

c) Stop water circulation if line have not leak and ready to use
chemical circulation
STEP 02 - ALKALINE CLEANING
The purpose of alkaline cleaning is to remove dust, dirt, oil, grease and
other organic matter inside the piping system.

Chemical Cleaning Agent :

a. ICS 008 Surfactant 0.2 0.5% vol
b. NaOH 0.5%
Reaction Phenomenon:

Hydrocarbon + ICS 008 [R(OC2H4)nOH]

CxHy + R(OC2H4)nOH R(OC2H4)n.CxHy + H2O :
Hydrocarbon removal

a) Circulate degreaser chemical (Sodium Hydroxide 1-2% + ICS 008

surfactant 0.2-0.4%) in order to remove fat, grease, welding slag,
and other dirt inside the pipe.
b) Regularly check the turbidity content every 10 minutes,
c) Stop the circulation if the turbidity content show stable value at
least 3 times. Estimated time for this step is 1 hour.
3.1 Drain the alkaline solution, and then fill with fresh water and circulate.
This operation of rinsing with water should be continued till pH of water
at the inlet and outlet ends are same.
3.2 Circulate acid cleaner chemical (HNO3 5% + H2SO4 1%) in order to
remove remaining iron contamination and mild scale inside the pipe.
Regularly check the turbidity and iron content every 15 minutes, stop

CHEMICAL CLEANING
GENERAL
Industrial Cleaning Services Co.,
Ltd. GUIDELINE AND PROCEDURE

Ref. No. :
Issued Date: 017/06/ 2014
Rev. 0

Page: 4

the circulation if the iron content show stable value at least 3 times.
Estimated time for this step is 2 hour.
3.3 Drain the acid solution, and then fill with fresh water and circulate. This
operation of rinsing with water should be continued till pH of water at
the inlet and outlet ends are same. (notes: the acid waste should be
neutralized prior to disposal)
3.4 Finally, dry the circuit by passing clean dry instrument air.
NOTES:
1. The above pickling procedure includes passivation and does not require separate passivation of pickled
surface.
2. The chemically cleaned and dried piping shall not be taken into operation within 72 hours after the final drying
operation is completed.

Flowchart of Chemical Cleaning

CHEMICAL CLEANING
GENERAL
Industrial Cleaning Services Co.,
Ltd. GUIDELINE AND PROCEDURE

Ref. No. :
Issued Date: 017/06/ 2014
Rev. 0

Page: 5

CHEMICAL CLEANING

Ref. No. :
Issued Date: 017/06/ 2014

GENERAL
Industrial Cleaning Services Co.,
Ltd. GUIDELINE AND PROCEDURE

Rev. 0

Page: 6

SECTION 2
CARBON STEEL CHEMICAL CLEANING
INTRODUCTION
This procedure covers the chemical cleaning (pickling) of the carbon
steel piping or tubing either prior to fabrication commissioning or post
operational maintenance purpose by chemical circulation method.
The object of chemical cleaning of post operational piping systems is to
remove oil, grease and other organic matter, and mostly include corrosion
products, mineral scale, sludge, or process contaminants, in any
combination.
The result of this cleaning is that the metal surfaces are completely
clean, dry and in the passive state without signs of corrosion. The chemical
cleaning of the steam generators consist of the following:

WORKING PROCEDURE
STEP 01 - WATER FLUSHING & LEAK TEST:
a. Fill up water to Tank
b. Start water circulation : Water Tank => Pump => Piping system =>
Water Tank
c. Stop water circulation if line have not leak and ready to use
chemical circulation
STEP 02 - ALKALINE CLEANING
The purpose of alkaline cleaning is to remove dust, dirt, oil, grease and
other organic matter inside the piping system.

CHEMICAL CLEANING
GENERAL
Industrial Cleaning Services Co.,
Ltd. GUIDELINE AND PROCEDURE

Ref. No. :
Issued Date: 017/06/ 2014
Rev. 0

Page: 7

Operating condition :
a. Pressure

: Atmospheric

b. Temperature

: If possible, conveniently piping system

water temperature should be kept from 70C to 90C

Chemical Cleaning Agent :

a. ICS 008 Surfactant 0.2 0.5% vol
b. NaOH 0.5%
Reaction Phenomenon:
Hydrocarbon + ICS 008 [R(OC2H4)nOH]

CxHy + R(OC2H4)nOH R(OC2H4)n.CxHy + H2O

Hydrocarbon removal

Procedure :

a. Inject ICS 008 from chemical mixing tank.

b. Heat-up piping system water to approximately 70C to 90C
c. Check water analysis (Turbidity) every hour.
d. Stop alkali cleaning if turbidity analysis show stable trend.
e. Fill up new water in the system and circulate until water clear
STEP 03 - ACID CLEANING
The main purposes of the acid cleaning are removal of mill scale and
iron oxide that deposited inside the tube piping system during
operational period.

Ref. No. :

CHEMICAL CLEANING

Issued Date: 017/06/ 2014

GENERAL
Industrial Cleaning Services Co.,
Ltd. GUIDELINE AND PROCEDURE

Rev. 0

Page: 8

Operating condition :
a. Pressure

: Atmospheric

b. Temperature

: If possible, conveniently piping system

water temperature should be kept from 50C to 70C

Chemical Cleaning Agent :

a. HCL 5 10% vol. solution
b. ICS 02C (acid inhibitor) 1 : 100 of HCL 32%
Reaction Phenomenon:

6HCl + Fe2O3 2FeCl3 + 3H2O

: Rust removal

2HCl + CaCO3 CaCl2 + H2O + CO2

Calcium

scale

removal
MgCO3 + 2HCL MgCl2 + CO2 + H2O

Magnesium

scale removal

Procedure :

a.

Fill up water into piping system system

b.

Flushed water until water clear

c.

Dose ICS 02C (acid inhibitor) as acid inhibitor in order to

prevent some corrosion on metal surface from acid.

d.

Slowly dose HCL into circulating tank to dilute with water

and then feed into piping system system by using pump
and keep circulate

e.

Maintain pH < 3 during circulation.

f.

Carry on circulation the chemical solution for 6 8 hr

CHEMICAL CLEANING
GENERAL
Industrial Cleaning Services Co.,
Ltd. GUIDELINE AND PROCEDURE

g.

Ref. No. :
Issued Date: 017/06/ 2014
Rev. 0

Page: 9

Check water analysis (Fe2+, Turbidity) every 2 hour. If

Fe2+ or turbidity tendency stable at least 2 sample then
drain all solution

h.

Drain to ditch after neutralization until pH = 6 - 8

STEP 04 NEUTRALIZATION AND PH CONTROL

Operating condition :
o Pressure

: Atmospheric

o Temperature

: Ambient

Chemical Cleaning Agent :

o NaOH control pH until 8-9

Procedure :
a. Add the NaOH to the system gradually until the pH raise to
9 9.5, but not exceed 10 before entering passivation step
b. Maintain the circulation for at least 1 hour to ensure the pH
9 9.5 of the system have uniformly established.

STEP 05 - PASSIVATION
The neutralizing treatment is carried out to stabilize the metallic
surfaces of a system after acid cleaning and for preventing the
corrosion until the system start-up. Especially, the rust prevention of
carbon steel requires sufficient cares because the surface becomes
very active after the acid cleaning.

Chemical :

CHEMICAL CLEANING
GENERAL
Industrial Cleaning Services Co.,
Ltd. GUIDELINE AND PROCEDURE

Ref. No. :
Issued Date: 017/06/ 2014
Rev. 0

Page: 10

o Hydrazine 0.05%
o NaOH control pH 9 9.5
Reaction Phenomenon:

N2H4 + 6Fe2O3 4Fe3O4 + 2H2O + N2

agent
N2H4 + O2 2H2O + N2

Passivizing

: Oxygen scavenger

Procedure :
a.

Fill up water in the system and circulate

b.

Dose of Sodium hydroxide 50% to the circulation tank

slowly.

c.

Circulate until pH of water circulation is more than 9 then

stop dose NaOH.

d.

Dose of hydrazine to chemical mixing tank and start

circulate

e.

Carry on Circulate for about 4 -8 Hours

f.

Drain the water solution and passivation finished.

STEP 06 DRYING
a.

Finally, dry the system by blowing with nitrogen

b.

Check oxygen content inside the tube regularly

c.

Stop the nitrogen blowing after oxygen content reaches

<0.5%, hold the nitrogen inside with pressure 0.5 barg.

CHEMICAL CLEANING
GENERAL
Industrial Cleaning Services Co.,
Ltd. GUIDELINE AND PROCEDURE

Ref. No. :
Issued Date: 017/06/ 2014
Rev. 0

Page: 11

Figure 1. Flowchart of carbon steel chemical cleaning

Table 1. Job quality plan of carbon steel chemical cleaning

N
o

Process

Chemical used

Condition
Control

Measuring

End point
criteria

Remark

CHEMICAL CLEANING
GENERAL
Industrial Cleaning Services Co.,
Ltd. GUIDELINE AND PROCEDURE

Temp
1
2

Leak test
Alkaline
cleaning

Demin water
ICS 008 0.2%

ambie
nt
ambie
nt

Time
(hou
r)

NaOH 0.5%
3

Acid Pickling

HCL 5-10%
inhibitor 1 : 100
HCL

Item

pH

12

pH

any time
every
hour
every
hour

Turbidity
Iron
content

Neutralization

NaOH

Passivation

Hydrazine 0.05%

Dry

plant air

1.

FLOW DIAGRAM

ambie
nt
ambie
nt
ambie
nt

pH

12

pH

12

Nitrogen

Issued Date: 017/06/ 2014

Rev. 0

Page: 12

Frequen
cy

Turbidity
ambie
nt

Ref. No. :

every
hour
every
hour
every
hour

No leakage
pH 10-14
Turbidity stable
at least 2 time

add more
chemical if
pH decrease

pH 1-2
Turbidity stable
at least 2 time
Iron contect
stable at least
2 time

add more
chemical if
pH increase

pH 9-10
pH 9-10
O2 content <
0.5%