What is Oxygen Cleaning

Oxygen cleaning is a method of cleaning equipment intended for use with either liquid or gaseous oxygen. Oxygen cleaning is a critical cleaning process used on equipment and pipework utilized in the handling, storage, and transport of oxygen.

The Purpose of Oxygen Cleaning

Oxygen is used in various fields ranging from chemical processing to pharmaceutical and healthcare. Due to its highly reactive nature, all oxygen systems must be free of any contaminant(s) that could serve as a fuel for combustion. The purpose of oxygen cleaning is to remove various contaminants such as oil, grease, particles, organic or inorganic compounds. These contaminants may pose a variety of potential risks, such as fires. Contaminants in oxygen-rich systems may lead to the ignition of materials that would not normally burn in the atmosphere. For equipment in contact with >23.5% oxygen, oxygen cleaning is necessary to remove combustible contaminants, eliminate the risk of explosions and fires, and allow the system to operate in a clean and safe environment. In industries, oxygen cleaning eliminates fire or explosion danger due to flammable contaminants. In medical applications, oxygen cleaning removes contaminants that may cause direct bodily harm.

Figure below: oxygen piping systems where oxygen cleaning inspection is necessary

Oxygen Cleaning Method

Oxygen cleaning can be carries out in a number of ways: mechanical cleaning, aqueous cleaning, acid cleaning, solvent washing, and vapor degreasing. The method depends on the nature of the contaminant and application.

Oxygen Cleaning Inspection Using UV Flashlight XEPU-1530

After cleaning is performed, the system must go through an inspection to ensure it meets minimum cleanliness requirements. A quick and effective oxygen cleaning inspection method is visual inspection using ultraviolet light (UV light). 

Ultraviolet light (UV light) is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength ranging from 10 nm to 400 nm. UV light is further divided into four types:

● UV-A (315-400 nm)

● UV-B (280-315 nm)

● UV-C (200-280 nm)

● Vacuum UV (10-200 nm)

Among four types, UV-A light (peak wavelength 365 nm) is excellent for inspecting particles, greases, and oils. Using Oxygen Cleaning Inspection UV flashlight XEPU-1530, contaminants (such as particles, greases, and oils) will emit fluorescence so that the operator can quickly identify the location of any remaining contaminants in the system.

XEPU-1530 UV Flashlight is an intense, battery-powered, portable UV flashlight designed for oxygen cleaning inspection in various systems. XEPU-1530 offers a steady UV illumination of 40,000 uw/cm² at 38 cm. This high intensity makes even small contaminants easily visible! When using in a low-light environment, the operator can identify any remaining contaminants that are not visible under normal light conditions. XEPU-1530 is an economical yet poweful inspection tool for oxygen cleaning!

Figure below: oxygen cleaning inspection UV flashlight XEPU-1530