Cleaning and Degreasing of Cylinders and Cylinder Valves

1.0 - Purpose 2
2.0 - Scope 2
3.0 - Definitions and Abbreviations 2
4.0 - Introduction 2
5.0 - Classes of Cleanliness 3
6.0 - Cleaning and Degreasing Methods 3
6.1 - Cleaning Materials 4
6.1.1 - Solvents 4
6.1.2 - Liquid Detergents 4
6.1.3 - Cleaning Cloths 4
6.1.4 - Wire Brushes 5
6.1.5 - Drying/Purging Gas 5
6.1.6 - Protective Gloves 5
7.0 - Testing 5
7.1 - Cleanliness Integrity 5
7.2 - Cleaning Acceptance Criteria 5
7.3 - Inspection Methods 7
8.0 - Inspection Methods 7
8.1 - Recommended Method for Determination of Non-Volatile Hydrocarbons in Gas Cylinders 7
8.1.1 - Test Method 7
8.1.2 - Equipment 7
8.1.3 - Solvent 7
8.1.4 - Procedure 7
8.1.5 - Results 8
8.2 - Particle and Test Requirements 9
8.2.1 - Level of Particulates 9
8.2.2 - Test Procedure 9
Document Information 11
About this Document 11
Change History 12
Learning and Assessment Guide 12

Author: Dr W Dörner Quality Reviewer: Global PKG ToE Approver: J Romer

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1.0 - Purpose
Purpose
This document describes the requirements and classes for the cleaning, degreasing and packaging of equipment
and component parts for cylinders, and cylinder valves and related component parts. This document collects all
requirements for cleanliness on cylinder packages and includes more information and is additional to the series of
other cleaning documents, which were published in the past, i.e. BOC Specification 399856 “Cleaning and
Decreasing Classification”. The scope of these legacy documents also covered items, which are not specifically
covered by this standard e.g. pipework. Which why the old BOC specifications cannot be withdrawn.
This document also describes the cleanliness standard for Linde suppliers of cylinders, valves and gas wetted
accessories.

2.0 - Scope
Scope
This document applies to Linde gases worldwide.

Audience
This document applies to Linde Group personnel responsible for the technical specification/purchasing of
cylinders and cylinder valves, and Quality Assurance personnel.
This document also applies to Linde suppliers of cylinders, valves and gas wetted accessories.

3.0 - Definitions and Abbreviations

Term Definition
Must Denotes a mandatory requirement for conformance to this specification.
Should Indicates a recommendation and non-mandatory best practice.

4.0 - Introduction
Categories of cleanliness
There are six categories of cleanliness requirement:
1) No specific requirements for cleaning.
2) Gases for industrial service including oxidising products
3) Gases for Medical Service, Food Grade and High Purity gases
4) Specific requirements for some procedures for electro-polished items for use in ‘Ultra High Purity’ applications
5) LPG, Propane and Butane
6) Ammonia, Chlorine, Refrigerants and SO2
The Categories must be clearly identified on all issues of relevant documents i.e. Specifications, Drawings, Vendor
Documented Items etc.

Additional requirements
The guidelines of the EIGA (European Industrial Gas Association) Industrial Gases Council (IGC), contained in
document 33/97/E “Cleaning of equipment for oxygen service” must be followed by any supplier of equipment
for oxygen service to Linde.

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5.0 - Classes of Cleanliness
Classes of Cleanliness
For Linde the appropriate cleaning specification for cylinders and cylinder related valves is determined by
reference to the following classes of cleanliness:

Class Order text Cleanliness and Degreasing Requirements

C1 NONE No specific requirements
C2 CLEAN excluding oxidising gases General non – oxidising service, Commercial clean
see 7.2 - Cleaning Acceptance Criteria (page 5)
C3 CLEAN including oxidising gases, Oxygen / Oxygen rich /significantly oxidising product service
medical, food and high purity
see 7.2 - Cleaning Acceptance Criteria (page 5)
C4 CLEAN UHP Ultra High Purity (See BOC Specification 1851791 for Components and BOC
Specification 1851557 for Hoses)
C5 CLEAN LPG, Propane and Butane General non – oxidising service, Commercial clean
see 7.2 - Cleaning Acceptance Criteria (page 5)
C6 CLEAN Ammonia, Chlorine, General non – oxidising service, Commercial clean
Refrigerants and SO2
see 7.2 - Cleaning Acceptance Criteria (page 5)

Clarification
In the case of any doubts or need for clarification, contact must be made with the Cylinder Package ToE.

6.0 - Cleaning and Degreasing Methods

Cleaning and Degreasing
Cleaning and degreasing must be achieved by solvent degreasing, liquid detergent washing or appropriate
mechanical cleaning. The cylinder/cylinder valve supplier must decide which method to use based on available
facilities, the design, materials of construction and size of the cylinder/valve, whilst ensuring acceptable
cleanliness levels are achieved in the most cost effective way to Linde.

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6.1 - Cleaning Materials
6.1.1 - Solvents

Solvents
Because of the Montreal Protocol, many solvents (chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s)) need to be rechecked for further
use. Listed below are details of solvents that are acceptable, recommended and those that should no longer be
used:

a) Cleaning agents and approved solvents:

• Iso-propyl alcohol (liquid and wipes)
• Detergents ( e.g. Brulin 815 GD, Blue Gold )
• Acetone/alcohol aerosols e.g. Loctite 7061, Swantek Quickclean, Zep ID Red

b) Solvents recommended as alternatives to Trichloroethylene (TCE):

• Perchloroethylene (PERC)
• Methylene chloride (MeCL) CH2Cl2 (Dichloromethane)
• n-propyl bromide (NPB) e.g. Ensolv, Leksol , Swansolv oxy-clean \ionic
• Other speciality alternatives to TCE e.g. Novec 7100/7200, Vertrel.

c) Solvents which should no longer be used:

• Trichloroethylene (TCE) C2HCl3 e.g. Triklone N, Zep 11 aerosol (will be authorised by Reach)

d) Solvents which must no longer be used:

• 1,1,2- Trichlorotrifluoroethane (Halocarbon 113)

Trichloroethylene has the advantage of wider compatibility with plastics and elastomers, and has a heavier
vapour density.
Methylene chloride should be considered where a slightly more aggressive solvent action is required and/or
solvent evaporation from trapped pockets may be of particular concern. In all cases clean solvent must be used
for the final wash.
Montreal Protocol: The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, United Nations
Environment Programme, Ozone Secretariat, P.O. Box 30552, Nairobi, Kenya www.ozone.unep.org.

6.1.2 - Liquid Detergents

Liquid Detergents
Linde will consider the use of commercially produced detergents provided that the cleaning process is validated
by infra-red photo-spectrometry or gravimetric analysis, and that the detergent used is not detrimental to the
products being cleaned. The process must ensure complete removal of all harmful residues to the satisfaction of
the Linde design authority for cylinders and cylinder valves or by the Linde quality assurance department.

6.1.3 - Cleaning Cloths

Cleaning Cloths
Cloths used for wiping components must be clean, lint free and free from traces of oil or grease.
Cotton, linen or paper may be used. Particular care must be taken to ensure all cleaning cloths are removed after
use.

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6.1.4 - Wire Brushes

Wire Brushes
Wire brushes must be manufactured using stainless steel, brass or bronze wire. Brushes must be maintained in a
clean and good condition and dedicated only for oxygen cleaning purposes.

6.1.5 - Drying/Purging Gas

Drying/Purging Gas
Drying/purging gas must be clean, “dry and free from oil”.
Nitrogen should be used in preference to compressed air.
If used, compressed air must be in accordance with ISO 8573.1 Quality class 1:2:2 or better.
The dryness must be -40ºC dewpoint at 1013 millibar or better (less than 127ppm). The oil content must be
<0.1mg/m³.

6.1.6 - Protective Gloves

Gloves
Disposable non-powdered nitrile gloves are preferred for handling Oxygen cleaned equipment.
Gloves must be dedicated for this use. Particular care must be taken to ensure that gloves are disposed of in a
suitable manner.

7.0 - Testing
7.1 - Cleanliness Integrity
Cleanliness integrity
Components which will later be cleaned for class C1, C2, C3, C5 or C6 service must not have their cleanliness
integrity compromised in the course of pressure testing and/or leak testing prior to cleaning and degreasing.
Hydraulic tests should, in general, be used for pressure testing. For this oil-free clean water must be used unless
subsequent drying is particularly difficult in which case isopropyl alcohol may be used. In case of cylinders and
valves for medical, food & high purity gas applications water of drinking quality must be used, if no other internal
cleaning procedure (e.g. shot blasting) follows the hydraulic water test to clean the internal surface (see also BOC
spec 1819660 7.3.1 for stainless steel valve bodies the hydraulic test water is stated as having a requirement of
less than 30 ppm chloride).

7.2 - Cleaning Acceptance Criteria

Cleaning acceptance criteria
All the criteria below are valid when the cylinder is fitted with a valve or a gas tight plug.
For valves only the internal moisture and hydrocarbon levels have to be observed.

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Subject Quality Inspection
Method (see
C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6
7.3)
Moisture <1000 ppm = <127 ppm = <127 ppm = TBD (to be <6500 ppm = <1000 ppm = 1
dewpoint dewpoint dewpoint defined in dewpoint dewpoint
(-20°C) (-40°C) (-40°C) purchase (1°C) (-20°C)
order)
Cylinders No free
without valve standing
plugged after moisture
production permitted
Hydrocarbons CnHm
Industrial Na (not <100 mg/m² Na Na Na Na 2
service incl applicable)
oxygen
Medical Na Na <50 mg/m² Tbd Na Na 2
service, food
grade and
High Purity
gases
LPG, Propane, Na Na Na Na Na Na 2
Butane
Refrigerants, Na Na Na Na Na <100 mg/m² 2
Ammonia,
Chlorine, SO2
Contamination
Rust and A Sa 2 A Sa 2½ A Sa 2½ A Sa 3 A Sa 2 A Sa 3 3, 4
oxide scale
Internal Na Steel <20 µm Steel <20 µm Steel <15 µm Na Steel <15 µm 5
roughness
Alu alloy Alu alloy Alu alloy
(Ra ISO 8501-
<2 µm <2 µm <2 µm
1)
Or (TBD)
Steel
electropolish
ed <1 µm
Cracks Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Not visible Not Visible 3, 6
Particles See: 8.2 - Particle and Test Requirements (page 9) 7

Labelling
After cleaning, drying and inspection have taken place and the component has been passed for use, a label must
be added to each item of equipment or to each package, stating: “Cleaned to the requirements of Linde PKG-01-
06–LG Class C1/C2/C3/..”as appropriate.
Red writing must be used on labels.
The label must be clearly visible and not invalidate the clean condition. Labels must not be stuck directly onto
components.
Note: The label has to be removed before use and means of attachment should be such that this can be easily
done.

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7.3 - Inspection Methods
Inspection Methods
The inspection methods are:
1) According to good analytical practise agreed upon between Linde and supplier
2) 8.1 - Recommended Method for Determination of Non-Volatile Hydrocarbons in Gas Cylinders (page 7)
3) 100% white gas light inspection
4) According to ISO 8501-1
5) According to ISO 4287
6) 1% boroscope
7) 8.2 - Particle and Test Requirements (page 9).

8.0 - Inspection Methods

8.1 - Recommended Method for Determination of Non-Volatile Hydrocarbons in Gas
Cylinders
8.1.1 - Test Method

Test method
Recommended method for determination of non-volatile hydrocarbons in gas cylinders (based on EIGA PP30 –
January 2010).
Other methods e.g. “blue light test” are possible, but Linde will not give any quantitative figures.

8.1.2 - Equipment

Equipment
The following equipment is required for this process:
• Calibrated balance with mg resolution
• Glass beakers 1 litre
• Glass funnel
• Pipette 100 ml
• Glass evaporating basin
• Glass measuring cylinder
• Glass siphon
• Filter apparatus
All equipment must be suitable for use with the solvent and must be well cleaned and rinsed with pure solvent
before use.

8.1.3 - Solvent

Solvent
Fresh solvent must be used.

8.1.4 - Procedure

Procedure
Complete the following steps:

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 Step Action
1 From the glass measuring cylinder pour 20 ml of the solvent per litre of cylinder volume into the standing cylinder
through a glass funnel. A minimum of 200 ml should be used.
2 Plug the cylinder with a clean solvent resistant plug and roll horizontally for two minutes.
3 Suspend the cylinder vertically, neck downwards, for two minutes with occasional agitation.
4 Stand the cylinder on its base for two minutes with occasional agitation.
5 Siphon or drain the solvent out of the cylinder into a clean glass beaker.
6 Pass the solvent through a filter with a micro porosity of 5 µm into another clean glass beaker.
7 Using a pipette take 100 ± 2 ml of the solvent and release into a weighed clean glass evaporating basin.
8 Rinse the pipette with approximately 10 ml of unused fresh solvent, and release into the glass evaporating basin.
9 Allow the solvent to evaporate to complete dryness, then weigh the glass evaporating basin again.

8.1.5 - Results

Results
The total amount of non-volatile hydrocarbons in the cylinder is then calculated as:

Where:
Mt = total amount in mg of non-volatile hydrocarbons
m = weight difference in mg of the glass evaporating basin before and after solvent evaporation
V = total volume of solvent in ml
v = 100 ml solvent pipetted into the evaporating basin.

The amount of non-volatile hydrocarbons per square metre cylinder surface, Ms is calculated as:

Where:
A = area in m2 of cylinder top approximated as a sphere = 2 r2
B = area in m2 of the mid cylinder =2 rh
C = area in m2 of cylinder bottom depending on base shape = r2 (if flat) or 2 r2 (if rounded)
r = cylinder internal radius, in metres
h = height of the cylindrical part of the cylinder, in metres.

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8.2 - Particle and Test Requirements
8.2.1 - Level of Particulates

Level of Particulates
The level of particulates must not exceed the values shown below:

Water Capacity (L) Weight of Particulate (mg)

C1 & C5 150 40
125 35
100 30
75 25
50 20
20 8
10 5
C2, C3 & C6 150 30
125 25
100 20
75 15
50 10
20 5
10 3
5 2
1 1
C4 50 5
20 2
10 1
5 0,5
1 0,25

8.2.2 - Test Procedure

Requirements
Number of test cylinders: three
Test after shot blasting, painting and vacuum cleaning.

Step Action
1 Define the tare weight of the sheet of A3 or equivalent white paper.
2 Place the paper on the floor.
3 Invert the cylinder and place on the paper.
4 Using a rubber hammer, knock three times against bottom, cylindrical and shoulder area of the cylinder and finally
knock the cylinder three times against the floor.
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 Step Action
5 Re-invert the cylinder and place in a safe location.
6 Repeat steps 3 to 5 for the other cylinders.
7 Collect all particles on the white paper of all three cylinders.
8 Weigh the paper with the particles
9 Calculate the weight of particles for all three cylinders then divide by three.
10 Compare the results to requirements in the table above.

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Document Information
About this Document
Version Date Author Quality Reviewer Approver
1.2 Jul 15 Dr W Dörner Package ToE J Romer
Dr Wolfgang Dörner Head of PGP Process
Safety and Standards
ToE Leader
Alain Bayert
Southern Europe
Chris Cowles
M&T PGP
David Birch
UK and Ireland
Ella Sinkovits
North America
Fernando Gomez
South America
Jeff Park
Africa
Lars Ove Aasvold
Northern Europe
Miroslav Kudelka
Health Care
Ramana Vutukuru
South & East Asia
Stephen Wilson
South Pacific
1.1 Dec 14 Dr W Dörner Package ToE Dr. Wolfgang Dörner
Dr. Wolfgang Dörner, Linde Fellow
ToE Leader,
Eastern Europe & Middle Head of Package
East Standards and
Technology
David Birch,
UK & Ireland BMPDE
Lars Ove Aasvold,
Europe Continental &
North
Miroslav Kudelka
Healthcare
Jeff Park,
Africa
David Schonstein
South Pacific
Ella Sinkovits
North America
Ramana Vutukuru
South & East Asia

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 1.0 Nov 13 Dr W Dörner Package ToE John Romer
Dr. Wolfgang Dörner, Head of Production
ToE Leader, Cylinder Supply Chain
Eastern Europe & Middle Management
East
BA - Merchant &
David Birch,
Packaged Gases
UK & Ireland
Lars Ove Aasvold,
Europe Continental &
North
Miroslav Kudelka
Healthcare
Jeff Park,
Africa
David Schonstein
South Pacific
Ella Sinkovits
North America
Ramana Vutukuru
South & East Asia

Change History
Version Description of Change
1.2 Scope updated to clarify status of legacy specifications.
5.0 - Classes of Cleanliness (page 3) – table updated to rectify typographical error.
6.1.1 - Solvents (page 4) – updated to reflect banned product.
7.2 - Cleaning Acceptance Criteria (page 5):
• Valves added to acceptance criteria.
• Labelling requirements added.
8.1.1 - Test Method (page 7) – details updated.
1.1 Scope and Audience updated to include suppliers.
6.1.1 - Solvents (page 4) - updated details relating to the Montreal Protocol added.
1.0 Initial issue (Based on Linde Technical Specification 50002249)

Learning and Assessment Guide

PKG-01-06-LG : Cleaning and Degreasing of Cylinders and Cylinder Valves

Reference only
For reference purposes only

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