CHEMICAL CLEANING AND DESCALING

Chemical Cleaning

If deposits are allowed to build on heat exchange surfaces the efficiency is greatly reduced resulting in higher energy costs and/or production losses. By removing these deposits, maximum system efficiency can be regained.

Chemical cleaning programmes are specifically designed for the job in question. For example:

• Hydrochloric acid de-scales for calcium fouling of steam boiler fire tubes
• Hydrogen peroxide flushes to remove biofilm and organic matter from systems
• Sequestrant chemicals used to remove iron deposits within pipe work etc.

Our qualified engineers and chemists monitor the chemical cleans during all phases of the work to ensure that all deposits are removed to return the system back to maximum efficiency.

Degrease and Passivation

In order for stainless steel pipe work in food preparation and pharmaceutical establishments to conform to the strict standards laid down by the FDA, all contaminants and debris must be flushed and removed from the system

During the fabrication process where pipework joints are welded together, due to the temperatures involved either side of the weld, the passive oxide layer which naturally forms on the surface of the metal can be reduced and weakened. This can lead to future problems from corrosion. In order to remove/minimize these problems, the system should be passivated prior to being put into service or if the system is modified in any way.

The degrease and passivation is carried out to ASTM A380 and/or ASTM A967 specifications dependant on customer requirements by using strong caustic dispersants/detergents and citric/nitric acids.

As required by ASTM specifications, all phases of the works are carried out and signed off by our qualified engineers and witnessed by a site appointed representative.

TWS technicians and chemist have combined experience of over 50 years of working within pharmaceutical environments on highly purified water systems, RO plants, WFI systems and product pipelines and as such have a deep understanding of the requirements necessary to work safely and efficiently in a clean environment to GMP standards (good manufacturing practice)