Methods for cleaning the inner wall of carbon steel pipes

In the steel industry, carbon steel pipes are important transmission media, and the cleanliness of their inner walls directly affects the transmission efficiency and service life of the fluid.

First, mechanical cleaning method
Mechanical cleaning is a more traditional and direct method, which mainly uses physical friction to remove rust and dirt.
1. Wire brush cleaning: Select a wire brush of appropriate size, hold it tightly, and wipe the inner wall of the pipe vigorously until the rust is completely removed. This method is simple and direct, but you need to pay attention to the possible wear on the inner wall of the pipe. It is suitable for small pipes or local cleaning.
2. In-pipe shot blasting and sandblasting rust removal: For larger diameter pipes, in-pipe shot blasting or sand blasting technology can be used. The inner wall of the pipe is impacted by high-speed steel shots or sand particles to effectively remove rust and dirt. These two methods are efficient and clean thoroughly but require professional equipment support.

Second, chemical cleaning method
Chemical cleaning uses chemical agents to react with rust to achieve the purpose of dissolution or conversion.
1. Acidic rust removers: Common acidic rust removers include dilute hydrochloric acid, dilute sulfuric acid, etc., which can quickly dissolve rust. When using, pour the rust remover into the pipe, let it stand for some time, and then rinse it with water. Pay attention to safety protection to avoid the harm of the agent to the human body and the environment.
2. Alkaline rust removers: Unlike acidic rust removers, alkaline rust removers such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide convert rust into water-insoluble substances through chemical reactions. Similarly, it is necessary to ensure safety when using it and rinse it thoroughly.

Third, electrochemical cleaning method
Electrochemical cleaning uses the principle of electrochemistry to apply current to cause an oxidation reaction at the anode to remove rust.
- Electrochemical rust removal: This method does not cause physical wear on the inner wall of the pipe and can remove rust more thoroughly. However, it requires special equipment and technical support and is suitable for large-scale or serious rust treatment.

Fourth, auxiliary measures and comprehensive application
In addition to the above main cleaning methods, there are some auxiliary measures to improve the cleaning effect.
1. Preventive measures: Clean and maintain carbon steel pipes regularly, use rust inhibitors or coatings to protect the surface of the pipes, reduce the contact between oxygen and water, and prevent rust.
2. Pipeline cleaning and maintenance: Clean the pipes regularly to reduce the accumulation of rust and dirt. At the same time, strengthen inspections and maintenance to promptly discover and repair problems in the pipes.
3. Innovative cleaning technology: For example, use a telescopic rod with a circular water spray pipe to initially clean the oil stains on the inner wall of the pipe with an organic solvent, then physically wipe and wash, and finally dry and seal both ends of the pipe to ensure that the inner wall is dry and tidy.

Cleaning the inner wall of carbon steel pipes is an important part of ensuring the normal operation of the steel industry. By reasonably selecting and applying a variety of methods such as mechanical cleaning, chemical cleaning, and electrochemical cleaning, combined with preventive measures and auxiliary measures, the cleaning work can be completed efficiently, safely, and environmentally friendly.