LINDE STANDARD

Cleanliness of surfaces in air separation plants

and components
LS 141-74
Process equipment inside coldbox Part 11
Page 1 of 4

Contents

1 Scope ................................................................2
2 References ........................................................2
2.1 Normative references ........................................2
2.2 Informative references ......................................2
3 Abbreviations and definitions ............................2
4 Cleanliness requirements for Process
Equipment .........................................................2
5 Cleanliness acceptance criteria ........................3
6 Cleaning methods .............................................3
7 Cleanliness inspection ......................................4
8 Maintaining cleanliness .....................................4
9 Documentation ..................................................4

Remarks on the current issue:

Revision: Detailing of equipment in Table 01; links to Schalchen-specific work instructions deleted.
Previous issues: 04.2012; 12.2017
Responsible functional unit(s) for the technical content: ENS1, MFQ, ENPAS

Joswig, ENS1
X 03 10.2020 Balk, MFQ Goepperl, MFEE Jetzlsperger, MFQ
Schmitt, QH
Göpperl, MFQ
X 02 12.2017 Hock, ENQ Neumann, ENPAS Jetzlsperger, MFQ
Pelz, QH
LEHQ / ASD /
X 01 04.2012 LEHQ / MFCQ / Cappel LEHQ / ENM1S / Alekseev
Hecht
Status Issue Date Prepared Checked Approved

The reproduction, distribution and utilization of this document as well as the communication of its contents to others without express
authorization are prohibited. Offenders will be held liable for the payment of damages.
All rights reserved in the event of the grant of a patent, utility model or design.

LS 141-74.T11 (EN)
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1 Scope
This Linde Standard (LS) defines cleanliness requirements for all fluid contacted surfaces of process equipment inside
coldbox in air separation units.
The defined cleanliness requirements are addressed to the coldbox manufacturer. These requirements shall be
implemented independently from the location of coldbox assembly (workshop, yard or site construction).

2 References
2.1 Normative references
This LS contains undated references to incorporate provisions of other publications. The normative references are
cited at the respective place in the text and the publications are listed below. Issues valid at the effective date of
contract shall apply.
LS 031-…OX Technical purchase specification - Valves in oxygen service (for valves purchased by Linde)
LS 030-1OX Package units in oxygen service - Requirements for pressure accessories (for pressure
accessories purchased by PU-manufacturers outside Linde)
LS 930-OX Declaration of conformity - O2-equipment and O2-package units
2.2 Informative references
LS 141-70 Cleanliness of surfaces - Surfaces in contact with O2-enriched fluids - Cleanliness classes

3 Abbreviations and definitions

Coldbox Package unit inside a cryo-insulated steel box, as part of an air separation unit
(e.g. pressure vessel coldbox, LOX-pump cold box)
Process equipment Pressurized process components such as pressure vessels, rotating equipment, valves and
piping
Coldbox manufacturer Party responsible to verify and to maintain cleanliness requirements for the Process
Equipment inside the Coldbox
Oxygen service Fluid with oxygen of more than 70 Vol.-%, unless specified otherwise for a specific project
Oxygen enriched fluid Fluid with oxygen of more than 23.5 Vol.-%

4 Cleanliness requirements for process equipment

All fluid contacted surfaces of process equipment inside the coldbox shall fulfil the cleanliness acceptance criteria
defined in Para. 5.
Special care is required for sub-supplied parts to assure that these cleanliness acceptance criteria are also met. To do
so, one of the two options below shall be considered by coldbox manufacturer:
• Option 1: The cleanliness requirements mentioned in this LS are implemented within the purchase order
for sub-supplied parts.
For valves in oxygen service purchased by Linde: These requirements are specified in LS 031-…OX.
For pressure accessories in oxygen service purchased by other coldbox manufacturers: These
requirements are specified in LS 030-1OX.
• Option 2: Alternatively, coldbox manufacturer shall clean the sub-supplied parts as described in his written
cleaning procedure in order to meet the cleanliness acceptance criteria.

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5 Cleanliness acceptance criteria

The acceptance criteria for all fluid contacted surfaces for the process equipment inside coldboxes (as defined in
LS 141-70) are listed in Table 1 below:
Table 1: Correlation of cleanliness classes to the equipment inside coldboxes

Acceptance level Equipment

Column packings including “sealing collar”, and all inner surfaces of brazed parts
Cleanliness class S1 of Al-plate fin heat exchangers (e. g. fins, separation plates and bars) in oxygen
service 1)

• All valves and rotating equipment in oxygen service

Cleanliness class S2 • 70% - 98 % O2: All other process equipment with pressure > 25 bar
• > 98% O2: All other process equipment independent from pressure

• 70% - 98 % O2: All other process equipment with pressure < 25 bar
Cleanliness class S3
• < 70% O2: All other process equipment inside the coldbox

1) Due to the high ratio of surface / volume, the highest cleanliness class "S1" is required for these parts. For
wire and screws in packings 200 mg/m² are applicable as verified by performed risk analysis.

The limits for acceptable remaining contaminants (as defined in LS 141-70) are listed in Table 2 below.
Table 2: Cleanliness classes for equipment inside coldboxes

Nature of contaminants Cleanliness class S1 Cleanliness class S2 Cleanliness class S3

Organic contamination (e.g. oil,

< 50 < 125 < 500
grease, cleaning agent), [mg/m²]

Size of particles, [mm] < 0.5 <1 <1

Amount of particles1), [mg/m²] 50 50 100

Liquids, moisture Not visible Not visible Not visible

Organic coating on surfaces in

Not permitted Not permitted Not permitted
contact with process fluids

1) Local accumulation of particles is not permitted.

6 Cleaning methods
The defined cleaning method for all inner surfaces of process equipment shall reach the cleanliness acceptance
criteria defined in Para. 5. The cleaning methods for each group of process equipment to be cleaned shall be
documented as written procedures.
Typical cleaning methods for the static equipment and piping inside coldbox are following:
• blast cleaning,
• blowing out,
• high-pressure steam degreasing,
• clean sweeping with a brush or wiping with a lint-free cloth or vacuum-cleaning,
• final drying with oil-free air.

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7 Cleanliness inspection
All surfaces in contact with oxygen service or in contact with oxygen enriched fluids shall be inspected qualitatively by
a suitable combination of the following methods:
• visual examination in good daylight or under bright white artificial light combined with visual examination
with UV-light (wavelength 320 – 370 nm) on direct accessible inner surfaces,
• wipe test or pigging on other inner surfaces.
The inspection results shall be documented in cleanliness test reports.
It is not intended to verify the defined cleanliness acceptance criteria (see Para. 5) during regular inspections
quantitatively for any inner surface. However, it shall be quantitatively shown on significant parts on a regular spot
check basis (min. one per year, for yard constructions one per project) that these criteria are met. Method and test
result shall be documented.

8 Maintaining cleanliness
After cleaning and inspection, the cleanliness level shall be maintained. Special focus is needed for:
• storage of clean components until installation of these components into the coldbox,
• installation of all individual components into the coldbox in workshop as well as on site,
• preservation of the coldbox for shipping.
Typical protection of inner surfaces against contamination or moisture can be achieved by closure of openings with
plastic plugs or caps and/or, where applicable, blind flanges with gaskets.

9 Documentation
The following documentation shall be added to the final coldbox documentation:
• cleanliness test reports for all process equipment inside the coldbox in oxygen service;
• list of used non-metallic materials and lubricants incl. indication of any location, where lubricants have been
applied;
• if applicable: documentation for sub-supplied O2-valves as per LS 031-…OX;
• wet signed declaration of conformity for the coldbox as per LS 930-OX,
NOTE Will be requested by LEHQ with the purchase order for coldbox assembly;
• instructions for transport, storage and installation.

LS 141-74.T11 (EN)