APPLICATIONS/CLEANING PROCEDURES

C-1.30
October 2004

CLEANING AND PASSIVATING OF STAINLESS STEEL EQUIPMENT

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

Stainless steel derives its corrosion resistance from a very thin layer of chromium oxide that forms at the
metals surface when exposed to oxygen in the air. The chromium oxide film can form in air if the
stainless steel is clean and dry. Testing indicates that maximum chromium oxide film thickness develops
in three days. Further exposure to air does not yield additional corrosion protection.

Vessels delivered from equipment manufacturers generally have an oil covered inside surface. The
inside surface can also contain tramp iron that, if not removed, can lead to rusting and pitting corrosion.
When polishing stainless steel to meet 3A dairy standards some mills use an oil that contains an extreme
pressure (EP) additive. The use of the EP additive yields a beautiful finish, but is also very difficult to
remove. Some stainless steel fabricators spray the inside of their vessels with mineral oil to prevent
tramp iron from causing rust spots during transport and storage. Rust spots can lead to pitting
corrosion. Mineral oil is not soluble in caustic or acidic cleaners. All manufacturing oils, EP additives
and/or mineral oil, and any other soil, must be completely removed prior to passivating to prevent stains,
streaks, future corrosion and most importantly to allow the passivation process to occur. For these
reasons, new vessels must be thoroughly cleaned with products such as Accomplish that are specifically
formulated for this task.

An oily surface cannot be passivated because oil blocks the acid and also oxygen from reaching the
metal surface. The purpose of the initial caustic cleaning is to render the surface clean and oil free. A
surface that “water beads” is said to be hydrophobic and therefore, still contaminated with oil or other
soils that must be removed. A surface that exhibits good “sheeting” is said to be hydrophilic and judged
to be oil and soil free.

The use of an oxidizing acid, such as Passivation Acid, for passivation has two purposes: the acid
dissolves any tramp iron and accelerates the formation of the passive chromium oxide film.

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Studies have been performed which document the effectiveness of Passivation Acid on dissolving tramp
metal, see results below. It is critical to the overall passivation of a stainless steel surface that all tramp
metal be thoroughly removed. If it is not, it will act as an initiation site for corrosion.

Table: Effectiveness of Various Acids at Dissolving Mild Steel.

Note: 3 inch x 5 inch mild steel VW 35 D panels were immersed in solutions noted in table below for 1
hour at 140oF.

Solution % Weight Loss

10% Passivation Acid 16.0
20% Passivation Acid 42.0
25% Passivation Acid 55.3
50% Passivation Acid (10% Nitric acid + 10% Phosphoric acid) 100.0

30% Ultrasil 76 (10% Nitric acid + 0.04% Phosphoric acid) 48.1

40% Ultrasil 76 71.6
50% Ultrasil 76 **

10% Phosphoric acid 3.5

20% Phosphoric acid 5.1
30% Phosphoric acid 5.4

10% Citric acid 0.9

20% Citric acid 1.0
30% Citric acid 1.2

** Excessive exothermic reaction, sample terminated.

Conclusion: Passivation Acid, a blend of nitric acid and phosphoric acid, at equivalent percent
nitric acid concentrations was the most effective at dissolving mild steel. It is also less
dangerous to use then higher nitric acid formulation.

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 PASSIVATION PROCEDURE

I. Pre-Passivation Requirements.

1. Before you do anything, and this should be standard practice before bringing any chemical into
any plant, obtain water samples from all water sources used in the plant for C&S and submit
them to the R&D Technical Services Laboratory for standard water analysis. Submit these
water samples following the standard TSR protocol using a TSR form.

If the water contains >50-75 ppm chloride be aware of the fact that there could be increased
corrosion potential. If you have any questions please contact Technical Services by calling the
Technical Support Hot Line before proceeding.

Chlorides are part of the corrosion equation. The higher the chloride concentrations present in
the water the greater the potential for corrosion of equipment when in an acidic environment. If
the water used to prepare an acid solution contains high levels of chlorides and the CIP is not
functioning properly when applying the acid solution, such as the equipment does not drain
and/or rinse thoroughly, this will result in increased contact time and thus, increased corrosion
potential. Corrosion potential is a function of pH (acidic conditions), chloride concentration,
contact time, temperature, equipment surface composition and condition, and the presence or
absence of a passive layer. Thus, it is important to know the water chemistry and to ensure that
the CIP program is operating properly before proceeding with the passivation procedure. This
will help to prevent any damage to the equipment surface that could occur during the acid
cleaning portion of the passivation procedure.

2. Using a bright light thoroughly inspect and examine all equipment that will be passivated.
Document materials of construction, condition and visual appearance, such as scratches, pitting,
rust, filming, and any type of damage. Document the presence of any soil, including type and
amount, such as oil or adhesive residue, polishing dust, foot prints, any foreign materials, etc.
Document in writing anything and everything that you observe before you begin.

Perform this step with a responsible plant representative. Prepare a written report and have it
signed and dated by all inspecting parties. Be specific about observations and the location of
equipment where damage or soil was observed.

3. The inside surface of a new stainless steel tank may look clean and shiny when shining a bright
light into the tank. However, the surfaces could have electro statically charged polishing dust
adhering to them that you cannot see by shining a light on the surface.

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 To determine if there is polishing dust present you will need to wipe the surface of the equipment
with a white cloth or white paper towel and look at the towel under normal room or outside
light. The towel will have a black appearance under normal room or outside light if polishing
dust is present. Do not look at it while inside of a tank or vessel and try to make a decision
about whether or not polishing dust is present because you will not see it under the tank lighting.

If polishing dust is present you must remove it before proceeding to the passivation procedure.
To learn more about the significance of polishing dust and how to remove it please refer to
ADVISOR Bulletin under Applications/Cleaning Procedures, Black Polishing Dust Removal,
C-1.50.

4. Review with the customer the instruction manual furnished by the equipment manufacturer.
Take note of specific instructions for initial cleaning and/or passivating of equipment. If
discrepancies exist discuss and arrive at a consensus before starting the cleaning and passivating
process. Put this in writing and have the document signed and dated by a responsible plant
representative. Do Not invalidate the equipment manufacturers warranty.

II. PREPARATION PROCEDURE INSTRUCTIONS

1. Review the instruction manual from the equipment manufacturer. Observe specific instructions
relating to initial cleaning and passivating of the equipment as for example temperature limitations
imposed by choice of insulating material.

2. Review the first aid procedure and MSDS.

3. Review precautions that must be observed when handling the cleaning and passivating
chemicals.

4. Examine entire system both, CIP and vessel, to make sure all components are stainless steel.
Examples are: agitator bearing, fittings of CIP control instrumentation, et. Look at it carefully,
do not assume. Remove and/or replace non-stainless parts with stainless steel ones as needed.

5. Determine CIP solution volume.

6. Before starting the cleaning and passivating operation, have a water hose running in the
immediate area for emergency first aid use.

7. Circulate water and check system for leaks. Fix leaks prior to charging system with chemicals.
Ensure CIP is operating properly before proceeding.

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 CLEANING PROCEDURE INSTRUCTIONS

SAFETY Highly caustic product, follow proper safety procedures! Wear goggles, face
NOTE: shield, rubber gloves and protective clothing!

1. Charge system with 10% by volume of Accomplish.

2. Circulate for 1 hour at 150oF if within equipment manufacturer’s temperature limitations.

3. Flush Accomplish solution to drain.

4. a) Execute 10 burst rinses.

b) Test last burst rinse for absence of foaming and neutrality by determining that pH or titration
matches the tap water.
c) Execute additional burst rinses as needed to match pH of tap water and/or elimination of foam
in the rinse water.

5. Allow 10 minutes drainage time and inspect for good water sheeting action. If water beading is
observed repeat cleaning procedure.

6. Do not passivate tank unless all oil and soil of any kind is removed as judged by obtaining good
water sheeting action and absence of water beading.

7. Systems that are equipped with spray balls or roto jets may require the addition of Foam
Nox to control foam of Accomplish wash solution. Add 1 oz. Foam Nox per 20 gallons of
Accomplish wash solution or an amount as required to control foam.

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 PASSIVATION INSTRUCTIONS

SAFETY Highly acid product, follow proper safety procedures! Wear goggles,
NOTE: face shield, rubber gloves and protective clothing!

1. Charge system with 50% by volume with Passivation Acid (Use Passivation Acid only and never
USE “E” SERIES ACIDS).

2. Circulate for 1 hour at 140oF (or maximum temperature certified by equipment manufacturer.)

3. Flush acid solution to drain.

Caution: Before flushing the spent acid solution to the drain inquire about the drain
system materials of construction in order to make sure that the drain system is
compatible with high nitric acid concentrations. If it is not compatible adequately and
safely neutralize the spent acid solution prior to flushing to the drain. If you have any
questions please contact Technical Support for assistance.

4. If acid solution is dumped onto a tile floor, immediately rinse floor with water to avoid damage to
grout.

5. a) Execute 10 burst rinses.

b) Test last burst rinse for neutrality by determining that pH or titration matches the tap water.
c) Execute additional burst rinses as needed to match pH of tap water.

6. Allow tank to air dry. For best results allow 3 days.

7. Prior to putting tank into service, run regular cleaning and sanitizing program.

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