GENERAL SPECIFICATION

PIPING VALVES VESSELS

GS EP PVV 175

Cleaning of piping systems

06 10/2017 General review

05 05/2015 Organisation change - January 2015
04 10/2008 General review
03 10/2006 GS EP COR 460 integrated
00 02/2001 First issue
Rev. Date Purpose of the revision

Owning entity: DSO/IP/TEC Managing entity: DSO/IP/TEC/PVV

Other Approving entity(ies):

This document is the property of TOTAL S.A., it contains confidential information which may not be disclosed to any third party,
reproduced, stored or transmitted without the prior written consent of TOTAL S.A.
The information contained in this document does not substitute for applicable laws and regulations.
 General Specification GS EP PVV 175

Cleaning of piping systems

Rev.: 06 Effective date: 10/2017 Page: 2 of 8

Contents

1. Scope ....................................................................................................................... 3

2. Reference documents ............................................................................................. 3

3. Cleaning methods ................................................................................................... 3

3.1 Air Cleaning .................................................................................................................... 4
3.2 Steam cleaning ............................................................................................................... 4
3.3 Water cleaning ................................................................................................................ 4
3.4 Mechanical cleaning ....................................................................................................... 5
3.5 Chemical cleaning ........................................................................................................... 5

4. Cleaning method selection..................................................................................... 5

5. Fragile devices protection ...................................................................................... 7

6. Nearby equipments protection .............................................................................. 7

7. Quality control ......................................................................................................... 8

8. Reassembly ............................................................................................................. 8

9. Cleaned systems preservation .............................................................................. 8

10. Documentation ........................................................................................................ 8

This document is the property of TOTAL S.A., it contains confidential information which may not be disclosed to any third party,
reproduced, stored or transmitted without the prior written consent of TOTAL S.A.
The information contained in this document does not substitute for applicable laws and regulations.
 General Specification GS EP PVV 175

Cleaning of piping systems

Rev.: 06 Effective date: 10/2017 Page: 3 of 8

1. Scope
This Specification applies to piping systems cleaning. This cleaning activity shall be performed
on site prior to hydrotesting. It may however also take place at Manufacturer's facilities for
specific supplies (Ex: skid mounted equipment).
Present specification does not cover rotating and static equipments cleaning.
Lubrication, seal and control oil piping are not addressed in the present specification. Cleaning
of these systems shall nevertheless be done in accordance with API STD 614.
Special piping sections such compressor suction, inter-stage, inter-coolers and by-pass piping,
gas expander and pump suction piping are not covered by this specification. Cleaning of such
systems shall be carried out in accordance with vendor instructions.
Present specification is meant to be used as a base document in order to establish project
particular specification that will consider each project specific requirements.

2. Reference documents
The reference documents listed below form an integral part of this General Specification.

External Documents
Unless otherwise stipulated, the applicable version of these documents, including relevant
appendices and addendums, is the latest revision published at the effective date of this
document.

Reference Title
API STD 614 Lubrication, Shaft-sealing and Oil-control Systems and Auxiliaries

Total General Specifications

Unless otherwise stipulated, the applicable version of these documents, including relevant
appendices and addendums, is the latest revision published.

Reference Title
GS EP EXP 103 Pre-commissioning and Commissioning engineering and
preparation
GS EP EXP 105 Pre-commissioning Execution

3. Cleaning methods
The following methods may be used. Appropriate method has to be selected based on project
and piping system specifics:
• Air cleaning
• Steam cleaning

This document is the property of TOTAL S.A., it contains confidential information which may not be disclosed to any third party,
reproduced, stored or transmitted without the prior written consent of TOTAL S.A.
The information contained in this document does not substitute for applicable laws and regulations.
 General Specification GS EP PVV 175

Cleaning of piping systems

Rev.: 06 Effective date: 10/2017 Page: 4 of 8

• Water cleaning
• Mechanical cleaning
• Chemical cleaning.

3.1 Air Cleaning

Continuous air blowing or quick decompression techniques are available.
Note that air blowing may generate high forces at the air outlet that should be considered in the
safety assessment.
Both techniques induce a high velocity of airflow inside the pipes, thus removing foreign matters
and performing light erosion on the walls, which eliminates rust and scale.

3.1.1 Continuous air blowing

Air is continuously blown using an air compressor of sufficient capacity to allow high velocity air
to flow through the lines and carry away the foreign material.

3.1.2 Quick decompression

Network to be cleaned is pressurized with air until it reaches rupture disk set pressure. Once the
rupture disk is activated, air supply is stopped, allowing the system to depressurize.
Alternatively, a “quick opening valve” triggered at the defined pressure value can be used in
place of the rupture disk.

3.2 Steam cleaning

Steam, when possible, can be used as a substitute to air for continuous blowing.
Ability of piping system to withstand the steam temperature shall be checked.
The main differences between air and steam blowing are:
• The temperature, which induces thermal expansion/stresses. Therefore, supports, pads,
etc. and material grade have to be checked carefully to ensure they are able to withstand
such temperatures.
• The vacuum pressure induced by steam when it cools down and becomes liquid, in case
the network is isolated.
In comparison with air, the advantage of steam is the embrittlement of rust, scale, welding slag,
etc., induces by the temperature variation.

3.3 Water cleaning

When using water cleaning, particular attention shall be paid on lines designed for gas service,
for which the additional cleaning water weight may be too heavy for designed hangers and
supports.
Required cleaning water quality shall be evaluated by Contractor and approved by Company
corrosion representative.

This document is the property of TOTAL S.A., it contains confidential information which may not be disclosed to any third party,
reproduced, stored or transmitted without the prior written consent of TOTAL S.A.
The information contained in this document does not substitute for applicable laws and regulations.
 General Specification GS EP PVV 175

Cleaning of piping systems

Rev.: 06 Effective date: 10/2017 Page: 5 of 8

Cleaning is done by circulating high velocity water through the pipes. To achieve sufficient
velocity, a special pump is generally required (large flow, small pressure).
This method is only efficient to remove foreign matters, but not the rust or scale if their adhesion
to the pipe is important.
Attention is drawn to the fact that water can potentially corrode the pipes walls (chloride ions on
stainless steel, seawater on carbon steel). Therefore, appropriate water quality should be used.
A circuit to be treated by circulation must exhibit uniform dynamics material. All elements made
out of an incompatible metallurgy or bearing an incompatible coating must be removed and
treated separately. Similarly, equipment that is incompatible with any of the treatment products
or that includes a risk of non-drainable retention or that is unsuited to the dynamic cleaning
conditions (low mechanical strength, significant pressure losses, etc.) shall be isolated. In case
segregation cannot be done, chemical treatment and inspection requirements shall be adapted
accordingly.

3.4 Mechanical cleaning

If a person can fit into the network, mechanical cleaning may be more efficient to clean the walls
with a metallic brush and to remove the rust fallen down with a vacuum cleaner and/or a final
blowing.
When a pipe has been designed to allow pigs to be sent through, special pig with metallic
brushes at its periphery may be sent to clean the pipe. This special pig takes rust and scale
from the walls but does not remove rust and foreign matters fallen down at the bottom of the
pipe. Thus, a normal pig has to be sent afterwards to remove the rust and the foreign matters
which lay at the bottom of the pipe.

3.5 Chemical cleaning

Degreasing, pickling and passivation operations are carried out by immersing the parts to be
cleaned into a tank containing the chemical solution or by filling in them with the chemical
solution without circulation. Generally, pipes are totally disconnected from their equipment and
are assembled together in order to form a single assembly.
Stainless steel pipes are supplied pickled and passivated as standard. Nevertheless, incorrect
inerting or pollution during welding operation may require a new pickling and passivation
process. Suitable procedure shall be developed by Contractor and submitted to Company
representative for approval.

4. Cleaning method selection

The selection of the cleaning method(s) shall be approved by Company representative prior to
perform any cleaning operation.
Prior to start any cleaning operation, a dedicated HSE assessment shall be performed in order
to insure that safe and environmentally acceptable conditions are in place. Particular attention
shall be paid with the associated hazards linked to the chemical cleaning method.

This document is the property of TOTAL S.A., it contains confidential information which may not be disclosed to any third party,
reproduced, stored or transmitted without the prior written consent of TOTAL S.A.
The information contained in this document does not substitute for applicable laws and regulations.
 General Specification GS EP PVV 175

Cleaning of piping systems

Rev.: 06 Effective date: 10/2017 Page: 6 of 8

The following main parameters that should be taken into consideration for selecting the most
appropriate cleaning method:
• Cleaning media available on site
• Piping system volume and size
• Piping systems design conditions
• Piping system function
• Piping system constraints such as piping items containing soft components that
may be damaged by improper cleaning parameters.
As a rule of thumb, water flushing is usually the preferred method. Whenever possible, this
should be preceded by mechanical cleaning to remove adherent material.
Alternatively and with Company prior approval, air flushing may be considered if water flushing
is deemed undesirable (for example, due to the difficulty of drying out the relevant system).
Where possible, this should also be preceded by mechanical cleaning to remove adherent
material.
Plant air and nitrogen systems shall be cleaned by air flushing.
If desired cleanliness cannot be achieved by flushing or blowing method, chemical cleaning
shall be used.
When implementing one method to a piping system, the following principles have to be
considered:
• When possible, the cleaning fluid should flow from top to bottom.
• Outlet pipe diameter shall be equal or larger than inlet pipe diameter.
• The diameter of the outlet pipe shall be at least two thirds of the diameter of the line to be
cleaned.
• Main headers shall be cleaned before their connecting lines.
• Large diameter pipes shall be cleaned before small diameter ones.
• Dead ends shall be avoided or, if not possible, cleaned separately.
• Fragile devices included in the network shall be removed prior to any cleaning operation.
• Devices in the vicinity of the network shall be protected in order to avoid any damages
that could be caused by water or air cleaning media. Existing isolation valves on the lines
to be cleaned shall not be used as air or steam flow control device due to the associated
erosion risk.
• Special attention shall be paid for vessels designed for atmospheric pressure service only
as pressure induced by water head during cleaning may exceed maximum allowable
vessel pressure. In case a vessel full of water has to be emptied as part of the piping
cleaning operation, a special note shall be issued to state that a vent will have to be
opened previously in order not to create vacuum in the vessel.

This document is the property of TOTAL S.A., it contains confidential information which may not be disclosed to any third party,
reproduced, stored or transmitted without the prior written consent of TOTAL S.A.
The information contained in this document does not substitute for applicable laws and regulations.
 General Specification GS EP PVV 175

Cleaning of piping systems

Rev.: 06 Effective date: 10/2017 Page: 7 of 8

• Cleaning fluid shall not flow through exchangers, pumps or compressors. For large
diameter pipes, some temporary supports, hangers, pads, etc., may have to be added to
withstand the weight of valves when a line is disconnected.
• During flushing, the spring supports, spring hangers, etc., shall be blocked according to
the Manufacturer’s instructions.
• When adjacent flanges have to be used to complete the flushing operation, distance
between the two flanges shall at least be 1/6 of the pipe diameter.

5. Fragile devices protection

During flushing or blowing operation, particles (sand, rust, etc.) are carried away at high
velocities and may damage some devices when an impact occurs, or clog small diameter
piping. Consequently, fragile devices have to be removed from the pipe prior to flushing/blowing
operation.
Fragile devices list is defined in GS EP EXP 103.
Removal strategy shall be developed by Contractor.
Removal strategy shall consider at least:
• Sketch of dummy spools
• Lifting capability
• Tooling/equipment required for removal and reassembly (gaskets, bolting grease, etc.).
Special attention shall be paid on:
• Heavy devices (control valves, check valves)
• Supports, hangers, pads, spring supports, etc.
• Possible stresses on compressor's flanges
• Tray manholes and other internals of the vessels used as air capacities (quick
decompression method).
Following removal of equipments, a dedicated check-list shall be developed in order to ensure
that all valves left in the piping system are in full open position. Not having all valves in full open
position during cleaning operation may lead to premature wear or damage to sealing elements.

6. Nearby equipments protection

During flushing and blowing operations, large quantities of dirty water and air are circulated
inside the units. In addition to the potential damage to the fragile in-line devices, unclean water
or air projection may also potentially damage nearby equipment. Therefore, the following
recommendations are given:
• Put a tarpaulin on the motors, on the insulation, on the instruments near the flow outlet
• Direct the outlet flow towards a place where there is no (fragile) equipment
• Change the direction of a flow by rotating an elbow

This document is the property of TOTAL S.A., it contains confidential information which may not be disclosed to any third party,
reproduced, stored or transmitted without the prior written consent of TOTAL S.A.
The information contained in this document does not substitute for applicable laws and regulations.
 General Specification GS EP PVV 175

Cleaning of piping systems

Rev.: 06 Effective date: 10/2017 Page: 8 of 8

• Connect a hose pipe at the outlet to drive the flow to a desired location (for water flushing
only)
• Add a dummy spool to get the outlet farther
• Install a sheet of metal (insulation cover sheet for example) perpendicularly to the flow, in
order to break the flow impact
• On platforms, protect the equipment and people on the deck underneath
• Draining system should not be used to evacuate water unless proven to have sufficient
capacity.

7. Quality control
Cleaning solution shall be tested for inhibitor effectiveness prior and periodically checked during
cleaning operation as agreed with Company representative.
Visual inspection shall be made at all accessible points after cleaning operation in order to
assess cleanliness level.

8. Reassembly
Following cleaning operations, fragile devices shall be reinstalled.
Particular attention is to be paid to the following points:
• Gaskets, ring joints, etc. have to be carefully cleaned.
• Spring supports, sliding pads, etc. have to be installed according to the drawings and
released when the re-assembly is completed.
• Threads shall be checked and wrapped with PTFE.
• Absence of stresses on pumps and compressors flanges has to be checked.
• Unidirectional valves orientations shall be checked.
• Expansion bellows shall be freed according to the Manufacturer's instructions.
Tightness tests, followed by functional tests shall then be performed.

9. Cleaned systems preservation

Following cleaning operations, all stainless steel lines shall be left full of treated water or
completely drained and dried. When necessary, additional precautions to prevent corrosion
formation (desiccant, protective film, nitrogen blanketing, etc) shall be implemented. Cleaned
systems shall be blanked off with metal closures until needed for commissioning.

10. Documentation
Required documentation shall be in accordance with section 10 of GS EP EXP 105.

This document is the property of TOTAL S.A., it contains confidential information which may not be disclosed to any third party,
reproduced, stored or transmitted without the prior written consent of TOTAL S.A.
The information contained in this document does not substitute for applicable laws and regulations.