Heat Transfer Systems Flushing Procedure

In sitiuations where specific guidelines and procedures are provided by the equipment manufacturer, such
procedures should take precedence over the recommendations here below.

This recommendation is primarily addresses petroleum based lubricating oils, and may not be appropriate for
such system using nonpetroleum base lubricants.

This recommendation does not purport to address the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this procedure to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine
the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
When a heat transfer system is commissioned it is advisable to perform a flush of the system to ensure that
any debris (sealing material, metal particles, etc) or cleaning agents are removed prior to putting the system
into operation.

It is recommended to perform the flush with the same product that will be used during operation. Depending
on a site's needs and comfort level, it may be possible to re-use the flushing fluid to charge the system if the
post-flush fluid analysis is satisfactory.

During a flush, the fluid should be circulated for a minimum of 24 hours. The condition of the filters should be
monitored during the flush and changed as required. At a minimum, the filter should be changed when the
final charge of fluid is made in the system.

The filtration level chosen for a flush should be appropriate to the level used during normal operation. For
example, if a 10 micron filter will be used during regular operation, one should work down through filtration
levels during flushing from 100 micron to 25 to 10 micron.

1. Start the heating & circulation system and decrease the temperature below 190 ºC.

2. Velocity of the flush is also important. Turbulent flow should be maintained.

3. If the heat transfer system is very dirty or the efficinecy of the system is very low, you can
increase the effectiveness of flushing & cleaning with the addition of very limited amount of
Mobilsol PM.
If not, go to step 3.
Add Mobilsol PM by 1 % increament up to 4% of the total amount of circulating oil in the
system and then circulate the oil for a period of not less than 72 hours. Check and clean
filters regularly as they may be plugged easily especially if the amount of deposits and
impurities are massive.

4. Decrease the system temperature to 100 ºC.

5. Hot drain the whole amount of the oil in system before the residues & particules settled down
with necessary safety precautions.

6. Any and all system leaks that are discovered should be corrected promptly, regardless of how
small they may be. Corrections should be of a permanent nature, such as repacking valve
stems and replacing leaky gaskets. Any fluid spilled from a leak or from safety valve
operation should be cleaned up immediately if it is (or could be) in contact with a hot or warm
surface. Other spills should be cleaned up at the first available opportunity.

7. Any pipe or equipment insulation that is discovered to be oil-soaked should be promptly

removed and replaced with clean, oil-free insulation, and the cause of the leak corrected.

8. Clean every reacheable point and dead end including tank and the filters

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9. Refill the system with Mobiltherm 32 not less the 10 % of the total system capacity to maintain
an effective and turbulent circulation in the system.

10. Heat the system up to 100 °C and continue the circulation for 24 hours.

11. Check and when needed clean the filters

12. Stop the system and follow the steps in 5. and 6.

13. Repeat the step 8.

14. Check all automatic control and system components before refilling with the new charge of
Mobiltherm 32

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