COMPRESSED AIR AND

PROJECT NO.
CRYOGENIC NITROGEN UNIT,
HPCL, VIZAG, ANDHRA PRADESH 47000189

BLOWING PROCEDURE

Table of Contents

1. Scope and Purpose ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2

2. Cleaning Methods of product lines ------------------------------------------------------------------ 2

2.1. Selection Criteria -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2

2.2. Mechanical Cleaning --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3

3. Blowing of Pipelines ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3

3.1. The documentation for blowing includes -------------------------------------------------- 4

3.2. Blowing protocol and Authorization --------------------------------------------------------- 4

3.3. Drawing and plans ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4

3.4. Standard document for the blowing operation in LINDE ------------------------------- 4

3.5. Sequence ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4

3.6. Criteria ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5

4. Safety -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5

5. Responsibilites, procedure ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5

6. Documentation, QSE Records ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6

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Doc. No. Issue Date Project Number Page of pages
 COMPRESSED AIR AND CRYOGENIC
PROJECT NO.
NITROGEN UNIT, HPCL, VIZAG, 47000189
ANDHRA PRADESH

1.Scope & purpose:

This document is valid for all operational and commissioning personnel who are involved in the
pre-commissioning activities and cleaning of the pipelines. The document serves the purpose of
explaining the safe procedures for the activites of blowing.
2.Cleaning methods of product lines:
This section provides information to be considered when selecting a cleaning procedure/agent
for an oxygen system. Selection of the appropriate method of cleaning shall be determined by
the final level of cleanliness required.
There are a number of factors to be considered in choosing the most appropriate cleaning pro-
cess.
• Technical aspects (process suitability/cleaning effect),
• Environmental and safety aspects,
• Economical aspects (costs involved).

The selection criteria can be described as defining the characteristics required in the current
situation. Each solution represents a compromise with advantages and disadvantages.
Before a decision is made about which cleaning method has to be used, the need for cleaning
must be considered and established. It might be possible to reduce cleaning operations by mak-
ing changes in the production process.

2.1 Selection Criteria

The procedure/cleaning agent should ideally meet the following criteria:
• Good degreasing properties
• Easily removable
• Noncorrosive.
• Compatible with commonly used metallic and non-metallic materials
• Cleaning agent and its residue to be compatible with oxygen
• Non flammable or low flammability.

According to EIGA Typical methods for cleaning of components, vessels and pipe work sys-
tems used in oxygen service are summarized in the following section and include:
• Mechanical cleaning
• Chemical cleaning
• Detergent cleaning
• Hot water (steam) cleaning
• Emulsion cleaning

In LINDE plants, generally mechanical cleaning is used during commissioning.

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 COMPRESSED AIR AND CRYOGENIC
PROJECT NO.
NITROGEN UNIT, HPCL, VIZAG, 47000189
ANDHRA PRADESH

2.2 Mechanical Cleaning

This cleaning method is not used for accurately dimensioned components as the method can
cause uneven material loss. It is usually a preparatory stage in the cleaning procedure, but
some processes such as blast cleaning can be used as a cleaning process provided oils and
greases if present are removed in the process. Critical contaminations which cannot be elimi-
nated by blasting (e.g., markings carried out with some marking pens) shall be noted and re-
moved by another process. Selection of the mechanical cleaning method will depend upon sev-
eral factors, which shall be considered:
• The extent of contamination.
• The ability of the method to remove the contaminants.
• Unit or component to be cleaned, its shape and the ability to remove all cleaning debris
and cleaning materials.
• The effect of the cleaning materials/procedure relative to the construction materials.
• The surface finish required in/on the unit or component.
• As, a final stage in the mechanical cleaning method it is essential that all cleaning mate-
rials and debris are removed by brushing, vacuuming or high velocity blow out using dry
oil-free compressed air or nitrogen or a combination of these.
• Mechanical cleaning is not suitable for non-metallic materials.
• Mechanical cleaning can take the form of chipping, scraping, flailing, grinding, wire
brushing or blast cleaning.
• Mechanical tube cleaners may be used. These are flexible shaft driven rotating wheel
assemblies that carry out a chipping action on mill scale, etc.
• Wire brushes manufactured from non-ferrous wire are recommended. Carbon steel wire
brushes shall not be used on aluminium or stainless-steel surfaces. Any wire brushes
previously used on carbon steel shall not be used on aluminium or stainless-steel surfac-
es.

3.Blowing of Pipelines:
Linde uses pressurized air of Main air compressor for blowing the product lines. The quality of
air after Pre purification is as follows:
• This air is free from Oil
• Free from Hydrocarbons
• Free from moisture.

Standard document of LINDE for blowing is used as given in Blowing and section be used.
Temporary connection for blowing of product lines after PPU is generally made; flow through a
pipeline can be controlled either by manual valve or sometimes control valve whatever is avail-
able in the direction of flow.

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 COMPRESSED AIR AND CRYOGENIC
PROJECT NO.
NITROGEN UNIT, HPCL, VIZAG, 47000189
ANDHRA PRADESH

3.1 The documentation for blowing includes:

• Blowing protocol and authorizations.
• Drawing and plans.
• PPE’s required.

P&ID checks to be performed before blowing of the pipelines, once after blowing modifications
are very difficult to do in the plant.
3.2 Blowing protocol and authorizations
Engineered air blowing is an efficient way to remove construction debris, loose rust, liquids, and
other contaminants from process piping. Every air blow procedure is specifically engineered for
the individual system being cleaned. This approach provides numerous benefits for our clients,
including time effective execution by efficiently sequencing the blows, thorough cleaning guar-
anteed by achieving an optimal cleaning force and safe field execution through following the
best industry practices.

For safety, protocol is used here to ensure that proper planning and preparation have been tak-
en prior to beginning of blowing, which presents hazards to personnel and equipment not ordi-
narily encountered in blowing and blasting operations. Compressed air is used for blowing in a
variety of applications within air separation industries. Applications include air blowing for the
cleaning and commissioning of new facilities or build systems, drying pipelines and systems
following hydro tests, pressure and leak testing, and heating and cooling of systems.

3.3 Drawing and plans:

Proper marked up P&IDs are used for blowing activities on pipelines.
3.4 Standard document for the blowing operations in LINDE:
Protocol for blow out of piping: Annexure-1
3.5 Sequence:
Blowing and blasting should be done in a sequence by the pressurized air of Main air compres-
sor. Blowing circuits should be mentioned on P&ID, and the same be attached to the Blowing
protocol. Temporary spools and connections can be made for the blowing purpose where the
equipments or machines are in the path of blowing.
The sequence is written here as follows up to DCAC and DCAC Downstream up to PPU:
• MAC discharge to Buffer Vessel, Drier Area & B/L.
• MAC discharge to DCAC inlet
• DCAC to PPU inlet T point
• DCAC to EVC start up line

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 COMPRESSED AIR AND CRYOGENIC
PROJECT NO.
NITROGEN UNIT, HPCL, VIZAG, 47000189
ANDHRA PRADESH

Once after last mentioned blowing is done, put a temporary orifice at PPU inlet T-Point accord-
ing to the plant specification for the back pressure in DCAC and Start Precooling unit. Continue
the blowing in a sequence as follows:
• PPU Skid
• Up to Cold Box Inlet.
• Cold Box Inlet to Main heat exchanger.
• Cold box outlet lines, Like GAN, Waste GAN.

3.6 Criteria:
Blowing of free dry air through the piping system shall be continued until the air coming out at
the end is free from any noticeable solid particles. To achieve high speeds, blowing should be
performed at low pressure, i.e., pressure reduction should occur at the start point of the system
being blown out. The air speed should be significantly greater than the speed encountered as
per process design. The speed of gas in the pipes is normally around 10-20 m/sec. For better
cleaning the speed should be in range of 40-50 m/sec.
Required flow for getting the speed in the pipeline shall be mentioned below considered based
on the velocity of 50 m/sec at free end: -
For 18” Pipe: - (3.14×0.4572×0.4572×50) ×3600 / 4 = 29536.2 m3/hr
For 16” Pipe:- (3.14×0.4064×0.4064×50) ×3600 / 4 = 23337.24 m3/hr
For 12” Pipe :- (3.14×0.3048×0.3048×50) ×3600 / 4 = 13127.2 m3/hr
For 10” Pipe :- (3.14×0.254×0.254×50) ×3600 / 4 = 9116.11 m3/hr
For 8” Pipe :- (3.14×0.2032×0.2032×50) ×3600 / 4 = 5834.31 m3/hr
For 6” Pipe :- (3.14×0.1524×0.1524×50) ×3600 / 4 = 3281.8 m3/hr
4.Safety
During blowing care must be taken to ensure the output pressure of the blowing. The piping
system being blown out should be isolated from the neighbouring system by closing valves. The
areas where compressed air leaves the system should be cordoned off against unauthorized
access. The local rules and regulations concerning safety, health environmental protection (dis-
posal) to be followed.

5.Responsibilities, Procedure
The local rules and regulations concerning safety, helath and environmental protection (dispos-
al) are to be followed.
The construction manager is responsible for cleaning pipes mechanically and verification of the
desired operational status in the following manner:

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 COMPRESSED AIR AND CRYOGENIC
PROJECT NO.
NITROGEN UNIT, HPCL, VIZAG, 47000189
ANDHRA PRADESH

6.Documentation, QSE-Records
Protocol needs to be made & the same shall be signed by LINDE, EIL & HPCL representatives
before starting of the work. After completion of the individual application, relevant documents
required to be signed before processing of the next stage. After completion of the total process,
all signed documents shall be kept by LINDE, EIL & HPCL representatives & same shall be
handed over to the commissioning team and the pipelines shall be considered ready for charg-
ing.
The pipe cleaning performed is confirmed in the ready for operation report. One copy of the re-
port goes to the customer/consultant and one to the construction manager of LINDE.
Once the system has been approved and accepted, the report is administered and archived by
the department responsible for commissioning from client/consultant.

Note: Sequence may vary plant to plant due to different process flow designs. Blowing of
the cold box and product lines can be done but once after blowing is done thawing with
the dry air (once after readiness of Pre purification unit) should be performed.

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Doc. No. Issue Date Project Number & Code Page of pages
 COMPRESSED AIR AND CRYOGENIC
PROJECT NO.
NITROGEN UNIT, HPCL, VIZAG, 47000189
ANDHRA PRADESH

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