Turbine Cleaner LLC

Tricks of the Trade
Flush Commandments

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  Use the largest pump feasible to maximize flow rate and Reynolds number.
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  Use the lowest viscosity flush medium, especially with operating oil at ISO 68 or higher.
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  Use the highest temperature possible without burning.
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  In general use centrifugal pumps for 6” and above pipe diameters. Use positive displacement pumps for pipe diameters of 2” or less and high-pressure requirements. 2” to 6” is case-by-case.
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  Bypass all pipe system restrictions. (Heat exchangers, bearings, tanks, accumulators, instrumentation and controls, and sections of smaller bore pipe)
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  Once the flush is started, run 24/7 until complete. Do not shut down daily.
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  For complex systems, flush legs and sections individually, rather than the entire system at once.
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  Do not self-contaminate clean systems with dirty supply lines, storage tanks, heat exchangers, and pipe dead legs.
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  Do not quit early due to outage schedule. Flush until the system is truly clean.
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  Reverse flow when possible and often.
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  Never believe the heat exchanger is clean. It is always dirty and it will crash your newly cleaned system.
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  Consider air or nitrogen injection to increase liquid cavitation and turbulence to create a scrubbing action.
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  Consider using pipe vibration if weld damage is not of concern.
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  Use vacuum dehydrators if there is any water contamination in the lube oil system.
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  If possible, avoid ping-ponging oil between storage tanks. Always create flush loops when possible.
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  Customers should always pay for and retain custom jumpers, flanges, blinds and weldments; otherwise, you will be forced to use the same flush company forever or be forced to pay for your ‘kit’ twice.
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  For operating oil stick with major brands (Shell, ExxonMobil, Conaco, Phillips 66). Do not mix brands! Get multiple price OEM quotes. Pricing can vary wildly for the same oil, especially if the local distributor knows they are guaranteed the sale. Buy in bulk and avoid buying in drums. Bulk deliveries must be filtered before going into your storage tanks.
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  Oil testing should be done Quarterly, if not Monthly. It is very inexpensive versus damaging million-dollar equipment. Sample tests may include ISO particle count (insoluble), viscosity, water content, wear metals, flashpoint (fuel contamination), acid number. At least Annually, perform a RULER (Remaining Useful Life Evaluation Routine) to monitor phenol and amine antioxidant concentrations of your oil’s additive package.
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  Understand the difference between Group I, II, and III base oils. Industrial use of Group II and III oils have more than doubled in the last 10 years. These oils are more pure, effective, and have much more uniform molecule size. Their disadvantage is due to more consistent molecule size, there is less interstitial space to hold contamination. Therefore, they can be more susceptible to varnish problems and these issues may present themselves more quickly due to reduced capacity to hold contamination in solution. Regular oil monitoring is the key.

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