Tank / Valve O2 Cleaning Procedure

Revision 031318
V1.01

Tanks:
Oxidation Removal
Three methods
1) Wire brush
2) Whip
3) Tumbling
a. AlOx- (aluminum oxide) used only with steel tanks
b. Glass beads can be used with both steel and aluminium tanks
Why use a cleaver when a scalpel will do? Treat the tanks with the least harsh method
to get desired results. When O2 cleaning steel tanks with minimal to no rust then tumble
steel tanks with glass beads not AlOx. Wire brush, whip and AlOx are not appropriate
methods for aluminium tanks.
Materials required: (per tank)

 ¼ to ½ tsp. expeditor if required (aids in rust removal. Steel tanks

only)
 1 gallon 1:100 Formula 409 dilution (1.28 oz / 38 ml of 409)
 ½ gallon 1:100 Compound ‘O’ dilution (1.28 oz / 38 ml of
Compound ‘O’ per gallon)
 Nitrile gloves (if desired)
(note that at no place in the cleaning methods discussed are phosphoric acid
(LimeAway, Naval Jelly), muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid [HCL]), citric acid (lemon juice)
or acetic acid (vinegar) used

You'll be doing 2 washes. Don the Nitrile gloves if desired

1st wash:

- For Steel tanks, if they are in need of tumbling (very rusty), use the AlOx
media. If not then use the glass beads.

- Using the graduated pvc pipe determine the tank size (letter “X” at top of
neck). With the aid of the red funnel fill the tank with media so that the letter
primed (X') is displayed (approx 1/2 full). Pour in 1/2 gallon of the 1:100
dilution of 409. Cap with tank plug and tumble for 1/2hr.

- Set up the wash equipment in the sink. Place the large AL lasagna pan in
sink and then position wash stand in it and connect to spigot.

1
 - When ready, pour the media and wash solution into catch bucket. Place the
caps into the lasagna pan.

- Use the wire tank neck brushes with the drill to clean neck and threads.

- Place tank on wash stand and turn on water. Rotate the tank a few times.
Wash for 10 – 12 minutes.

- Turn off the water, let the tank drain fully and remove the tank from wash
stand.

2nd wash:

- Fill the tank with glass beads to the prime volume. Pour in 1/2 gallon of the
1:100 dilution of 409. Cap with tank plug and tumble for 1/2hr.

- When ready, pour out the beads and wash solution into the catch bucket.
Place the caps into lasagna pan.

- Place the tank on the wash stand and turn on the water. Rotate tank a few
times. Wash for 1/2 hr.

- Perform suds test on waste water.

- Let the tank drain completely. Pour in 1/2 gallon of 1:100 dilution of
Compound ‘O’. Cap and slosh around. Tumble for 10 minutes.

- Drain off Compound ‘O’ and place tank on drying rack. Turn on blower until
completely dry.

Valves:

Materials required:

 1:100 409 solution

 Dawn Dish Detergent
 Nitrile gloves

- If valves are extremely dirty do the first wash using the regulator cleaning
solution in the sonicator. DO NOT wash the o-rings, burst disc, crush washer,
seat or Teflon washer in this solution. Wash these separately in 409 solution
only.
- Make up fresh 1:100 solution of 409 for the sonicator
-

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- Fully disassemble the valve and use a tooth brush with some Dawn to clean
all threads and new parts (crush washer, seat, burst disk, Viton o-rings, and
Teflon washers).
-
- Place the parts in sonicator SS basket (small parts in film cannister).

- Perform 2 separate sonications, each 5 minute in length followed by a 5

minute water rinse. Perform the rinse by placing the SS basket in the
rectangular plastic bin and allowing water to run over it. Don your nitrile
gloves. On the second rinse, be sure to run water through all the passages.

- Use the air gun in the repair room to blow dry the parts

Assemble using o2 compatible lubricant (Cristo-lube mcg 111, Tribolube,

Krytox)