Pickling & Passivation

After performing other intervention scopes – such as dewaxing, defouling etc it is necessary to pickle and passivate the internal surfaces of the pipe work / equipment that was affected. It is also good practice to carry out pickling and passivation on new build piping and equipment during the pre-commissioning stages prior to client handover.

Pickling and passivation treats the surface of the metal piping / equipment and helps to remove common contaminants such as flash corrosion, greases, weld discolouration, factory installed varnish etc and leave the surfaces chemically clean reducing the chances of future problems if these contaminants are not removed.

The construction material used and the ability or otherwise to apply heat will ultimately be the driving factors in the product types chosen.

SANCCUS SOLUTIONS

Pickling

Carbon steel is much less resistant to stronger mineral acids and is therefore better treated with organic acid based products with an aid of heat as these are more gentle on the steel surfaces. Should the ability to heat or increase the contact time of cold organic acid based products not be an option then it is possible to use the mineral acid based products but contact times need to be tightly controlled and will depend on the cleanliness standard of the surface being treated.

Higher grades of steel are much more resistant to mineral acid based treatment products and are therefore typically treated at ambient temperatures for around 8 -12 hours contact time. They can also be treated with the organic acid based products but, due to their better tolerance to the mineral acid based products these are usually the first choice especially as the contact times at ambient temperatures are relatively low.

Passivation

Once the metal surfaces have been treated (pickled) with the acid based cleaner they need to be passivated with an alkaline based product in order to bring the surface pH of the metals back up to the "passive" zone. This process also neutralises any small traces of acid based cleaner that may be present after draining and helps prevent unwanted flash corrosion if traces of acid based product is left on the surface after draining.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Cleaning Range

Ranging from scale dissolvers to rust removers,sanitisers and general degreasers the SANCCUS Chemical Cleaning products have been designed with a simple goal - to get the job done in the safest and the most efficient manner.

Rust Remover

Rust Remover is a highly concentrated corrosion product remover / dissolver for stainless steels and other higher grade steels, available in 3 variations. Effective treatment of corrosions where time and laydown space are limited.

Rust Remover CS

Rust Remover CS is a mild or carbon steel corrosion product remover / dissolver. Shorter contact time is required when it is used at temperatures between 50°C and 80°C.

Proflux Gel

Proflux Gel is a highly effective stainless steel corrosion product remover / dissolver Gel. Proflux Gel is primarily for use on higher grade steels but can also be used on lower grades of steel providing contact times are reduced.

Rust Surf

Rust Surf is a highly concentrated corrosion product remover / dissolver combined with a degreaser for stainless steels and other higher grade steels, available in 2 variations. To be used when a separate initial degreasing is not feasible.

Rust Surf CST

Rust Surf CST is a mild or carbon steel corrosion product remover / dissolver combined with a degreaser for use in one fill cleaning applications. To be used when a separate initial degreasing is not feasible.

Neutraliser NH

Neutraliser NH is for use after acid pickling applications. Neutraliser NH provides neutralisation and limited anti-corrosion properties after de-rusting or similar chemical cleaning applications.

Neutraliser Si

Neutraliser Si is for use after acid pickling applications. Neutraliser Si provides low odour neutralisation and limited anti-corrosion properties after de-rusting or similar chemical cleaning applications.

Del Hib

Del Hib is for use after deluge system cleaning to prevent flash corrosion. Del Hib provides a personnel safe, low odour, anti-corrosion package for deluge systems.

Aqua Hib

Aqua Hib is for use after system cleaning to prevent flash corrosion. Aqua Hib provides a cost effective, low odour, anti-corrosion package for steel piping internals.