Foam cleaning represents a unique application of a technological extension of conventional chemical cleaning methodology. It is extremely well suited to the cleaning of large volume equipment and structures which are unable to support the weight of conventional liquid solvents.
performed to remove any foreign material remaining from the construction activities either on the pipe or system fabrication. Major considerations in the pre-operational phase include mill scale, corrosion products, weld scale, oil, grease, sand, dirt, temporary protective coatings, and other construction debris.
Performed for a number of reasons, including reduced heat transfer, reduced flow, safety (e.g., H2S, pyrophoric iron, LELs, ammonia, etc.), reduced surface area (e.g., catalyst), access to full inspection, and more. The type and frequency of post-operational cleaning varies with system design, operating requirements, and history of operation and fluid/water treatment.
Having established the usefulness of industrial process pipeline cleaning, it is equally important to know when to implement pipeline cleaning solutions. There are various points in the lifetime of a pipeline where pipeline cleaning solutions must be applied.
Among the critical phases of pipeline operation where cleaning should be done include:
Pipeline pre-commissioning activities immediately after a new pipeline have been installed but before full operational use is commenced
During pipeline commissioning (dewatering, drying, and conditioning)
Routine operation (gas transport)
Adoption of a new service or installation of a new component
Conduit clearance before termination of gas transport
Pipeline decommissioning and abandonment, recovery, or re-use in another process
