Section III. EQUIPMENT PIPES AND VALVES

TM 38-260

Section III. EQUIPMENT PIPES AND VALVES

4-12. GENERAL

This section addresses cleaning and preservation of pipes associated with IPE and OPE. The information contained

here is general and should not be used as a substitute for common sense when attempting to establish cleaning and

preservation requirements for pipe used on exotic equipment with exotic chemicals. Always consider the chemical

compatibility of cleaning materials with the material previously contained in the pipe. Whenever possible, manufacturer

specifications for the equipment and associated pipe should be obtained for layaway.

4-13. EQUIPMENT STEAM LINES AND AIR LINES

All water shall be completely drained from the system and dried with moisture-free compressed air. No preservative

shall be applied to these systems. Close off all openings with pipe fittings or plastic cap plugs conforming to MIL-C-5501.

4-14. CUTTING FLUID SYSTEMS

Drain all cutting fluid, chips, sludge, and other foreign matter. Flush the system with a solution of one part P-10, grade

30 preservative oil conforming to MIL-L-21260 and nine parts cleaning solvent. Circulate and thoroughly drain the

solution. The system shall then be preserved by flushing with P-3 preservative conforming to MIL-C-16173 and drained.

All open ends of pipe fittings shall be plugged with pipe fittings or plastic cap plugs conforming to MIL-C-5501.

NOTE

APPLICATION OF CLEANING FLUIDS OR PRESERVATIVES ARE PROHIBITED IF THEY

WILL DAMAGE THE SYSTEM, BE EXCESSIVELY DIFFICULT TO REMOVE, OR IF THE

PRESENCE OF ANY RESIDUAL PRESERVATIVE WOULD BE INCOMPATIBLE WITH

OPERATIONAL FLUIDS, OILS, OR GREASES AND WOULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE

MALFUNCTION DURING OPERATION.

4-15. INDUSTRIAL PLANT EQUIPMENT AND OTHER PLANT EQUIPMENT PIPE

a. Remove any insulation on the outside of the pipe that will retain moisture such as asbestos. To clean the pipe,

flush the system with solution A or with fresh water, whichever is more practical. The exterior of the pipe shall then be

cleaned with process C-1 as specified in this manual in paragraph 2-2.

b. To preserve the interior of the pipe, flush with P-10 or an 80 percent glycol and 20 percent fresh water mixture.

If the application of a preservative is prohibited, simply blow the interior of the pipe dry with compressed air.

4-13