1. BOP FLUID FLUSHING SIMON McMANUS WM CANNING LTD.
TRAINING SEMINAR
BOP FLUID FLUSHING
SIMON McMANUS
WM CANNING LTD.

2. When to Flush Change from oil to water-based fluid.
To remove contaminants from the system
To sterilise the system after bacteria, mould and fungus have been detected.

3. Precautions
GOGGLES AND GLOVES MUST BE WORN WHEN HANDLING ERIFON SYSTEMS CLEANER AND THE MIXED FLUID.
Erifon Systems cleaner is not approved for discharge into the marine environment.

4. Flushing Fluid Preparation
Erifon Systems Cleaner should be used at 2%
The existing BOP fluid can be used for the first flushing fluid mix.

5. Cleaning the tank.
Bacteria and particularly Mould and fungus will collect in the top of the HPU reservoir.
Use an air line to agitate and foam the flushing fluid.
This will force fluid into all the crevices in the Header Tank.

6. Accumulators Bacteria thrive in the accumulators
Discharge the accumulator bank to waste.
Recharge accumulators as fast as possible to create maximum turbulence.
Repeat at least three times.

7. Valves and Hoses Using the HPU operate each valve at least 3 times.
Ensure the flushing fluid is through each line by checking the pH is over 10.
Where necessary break connections to allow fluid down “dead” portions of the system
As fluid is depleted in the HPU mix fresh BOP concentrate 1%, Systems Cleaner 2% and Water97%.

8. Soak
Once you are confident all the systems are full of the flushing fluid mix close all valves.
Allow the system to soak for hours.
If the flushing fluid is left in too long the high pH may damaged hoses, seals and accumulator bladders.

9. Re-commissioning
At the end of the soak period the procedure should be repeated using a fresh mix of BOP fluid with the desired amount of glycol.
Removal of the Systems Cleaner can be detected by a drop in pH to approximately 9.3

10. Completed Procedure
The system should now be sterile and free from oil and grease.
Take a sample following the sampling procedure
Check for micro-organisms or
Send a sample to us for a free full analysis.

11. Sample Technique
Obtaining a good representative sample is essential for good analysis
Operate system for atleast 10 mins prior to taking sample.
Open sample valve and flush atleast 500ml fluid through. DO NOT CLOSE VALVE UNTIL SAMPLE HAS BEEN TAKEN

12. Sample Technique
Flush bottle and cap by collecting atleast 200ml fluid. Rinse around inner surfaces and discard fluid. Repeat atleast once
Take sample. Collect atleast 250ml of fluid. Leave a small air gap in top of bottle where necessary. Close bottle as soon as possible

13. Sample Technique DO NOT OPERATE VALVE UNTIL BOTTLE IS CLOSED
Sampling from high pressure lines is dangerous
Try to use a line that sees constant flow

14. Sample Technique for a BOP System
We would require samples from:-
The HPU reservoir
Each accumulator bank
Random hydraulic lines and valves
Preferable the parts of the system most suspect
Make up water

15. Testing Done on Samples Supplied to our LaboratorypH
Bacteria, fungus and mould
Liquid Corrosion
Water Hardness
Nitrite
Particulate Contamination