Tangguh Expansion Project – LNG EPC

Supplier – Pickling and Cleaning Procedure for Stainless Steel

PICKLING AND CLEANING PROCEDURE FOR STAINLESS STEEL

1. PURPOSE
This procedure to covers recommendations and precaustions for cleaning of new stainless steel
A316/316L parts, assemblies, equipment, and installed system.
This procedure will give guidance to remove surface contaminants that may impair the normal
corrosion resistance, or result a later contamination of the Stainless steel, or cause product
contamination.
Stainless pickling gel is used for cleaning of objects in dilute acids solution which for Stainless steel
are for:
• Remove oxide layers, discoloration and chromium depleted surface area.
• Restore the corrosion properties of external surface.
• Remove residual slag of the weld capping.

2. REFERENCES
 ASTM A380, Standar Practise for Cleaning, Descaling, and Passivation of Stainless Steel
Parts, Equipment, and System. January 2000

 BP GIS 36-102 Guidance on Industry Standard for Hardness Testing, Post Weld Heat
Treatment, Stress Relief, and Pickling for Pressure Vessels, Piping, and Other Components

3. PROCEDURE
3.1 Preparation and pickling method:
• All visible oil, grease, soil, and other soluble contaminants that would prevent pickling acid
from contacting the surface of base material or weld metal shall be removed by solvents
removal or cleaner. The method of use is with wipe repeatedly the surface of steel by rags or
brushes wetted with solvent then use clean solvent and clean rags or brushes for final
spaying,
•,The weld surface should be acceptable as per ANSI B31.3 for “Normal Fluid Services” prior to
pickling applied on the weld surfaces 1
• Shake the plastic bottle well before use. No stirring is required. The metal surface
temperature before application shall be between 5 °C to 50°C.
• Apply a relatively thick layer of Stain Clean using the brush, spread evenly on surface of steel
Time of pickling with gel take approximately 10 minutes at ambient temperature.
• Chemical composition of gel consist of:
Nitric Acid, HNO3 (10 – 30) %
Hydrofluoric Acid, HF (1-3%)
• Rinse carefully with large amounts of clean water while clean by hand brush repeatedly.

3.2 Water Quality

The water which be used to rinse shall be demineralized water form water treatment as per

TEP-1182968 Page 1 of 2 Rev:01

BP Internal
Tangguh Expansion Project – LNG EPC
Supplier – Pickling and Cleaning Procedure for Stainless Steel

manufacture’s recommendation and controlled by CONTRACTOR inspector. The cleanliness of

water shall be limited to maximum 30 ppm for chloride level, and with pH between 6 to 8. 1

4. INSPECTION AND EXAMINATION

4.1 Inspection
Inspection after completion of the pickling will be done by QC Inspector. The inspection report
must be issued to CLIENT for approval. Type of inspection to be done are:
• Visual inspection
4.2 Examination
Examination to ensure surface pH balance is using pH Paper, 1 spot on each spool.
• pH Paper Test (pH value : 6 – 8), to be intact on the surface area of the piece and other 1
area that most probably missed to be rinsed.
After inspection and examination finished and accepted, pipe spool shall be ensure not to direct
touch with Carbon steel / ground to prevent contamination, by plastic wrapping and stored on
pallet or stool at dedicated area.

5. EQUIPMENT
Following equipment and materials are minimum requirement to be used during pickling activities:
• Equipment:
a. Brush (non-ferrous) 1
b. Cloth / rags
c. Rubber Chemical gloves, Mask, rubber boots, Plastic apron, as additional from minimum
standard PPE.
d. Thermocouple with magnetic / laser / any, to measure metal surface.
• Chemical
a. Stainless steel pickling gel : Nabakem, MSDS Attached
b. Solvent : 3M Stainless Steel Cleaner, MSDS Attached 1

TEP-1182968 Page 2 of 2 Rev:01

BP Internal