Newly installed process piping typically contains exuberant amounts of foreign debris. These residual deposits can potentially compromise system reliability and lead to premature system degradation and catastrophic failure during plant operation. In order to help preserve the long-term integrity of these process piping systems, hydro-milling can be used to remove all undesirable foreign contaminants and particulate matter. Hydro-milling has been proven as an effective means of removing both large and fine debris from piping surfaces, including post-construction debris, by-products that result during fabrication, and operation-derived deposits, which are comprised of welding slag, mill-scale, loose rust, and mineral sediment.

During the hydro-milling process, water is pumped at high pressure through a self-propelled high-pressure nozzle engineered for pipe wall cleaning at service pressures between 5000 to 12000 psi (~35500 kPa to 83000 kPa). The attached hose is then sent through a bi-directional feeder and rotated at operator-controlled rates into the piping. The rotational motion of the hose allows the nozzle to easily negotiate 90 elbows, piping turns, and directional changes, in addition to providing full surface area cleaning throughout the entire pipe circumference. Complex vertical and horizontal lengths of pipe with diameters between 2 to 30 are easily traversed with full cleaning capacity. Simple horizontal straight-length pipelines with diameters exceeding 30 can also be cleaned sufficiently. Hydro-milling has the capability of providing a 1250 ft. horizontal and/or 350 ft. vertical cleaning spread. All loose debris is efficiently driven out of the system through the intelligent operation of the built-in rear jets. By withdrawing the high-pressure nozzle during operation, all debris is pushed out of the line in a predictable and controlled manner. When equipped with auxiliary heating, hydro-milling can also be performed in sub-zero conditions.

As guidelines change to meet more demanding environmental regulations, EMBARK provides services that adhere to all client protocols. In cases where stringent environmental and waste disposal regulations call for reduced water usage, EMBARK Energy's hydro-milling setup can be outfitted with supplementary filtration skids to recycle all waste effluent. In situations where clean water cannot obtain, external demineralized water and reverse-osmosis skids can be sourced.

EMBARK Energy is strongly committed to providing its services in the safest manner possible, with minimal impact on the environment, our employees, contractors, clients, and the public. Meticulous planning and engineering go into each hydro-milling assignment, and an emergency shutdown switch is available to our trained professionals throughout the operation. Furthermore, anti-withdrawal, pressure discharge, and restraining devices are installed to control and mitigate all hazards.

When compared to more traditional water flushes, hydro-milling can match or exceed cleanliness specifications while reducing the time and costs associated with water, waste disposal, scheduling, and equipment requirements. 

HYDRO MILLING SERVICES

Hydro-milling, also known as Aqua-Milling or Aqua-Lazing, is an efficient method of cleaning industrial piping through the implementation of an HMG high-pressure water pump system, HMG Hurricane Pipe Cleaning System, and HMG specialized nozzles and jets.

Newly installed process piping typically contains large amounts of foreign debris, mill scale, rust deposits, sand, dirt, and other construction debris. These residual deposits can potentially compromise system reliability and lead to premature system degradation and catastrophic failure during plant operation. In order to help preserve the long-term integrity of these process piping systems, hydro-milling can be used to remove all undesirable foreign contaminants and particulate matter. Hydro-milling has been proven as an effective means of removing both large and fine debris from piping surfaces, piping systems, and vessels, including post-construction debris, by-products that result during fabrication, and operation-derived deposits, which are comprised of welding slag, mill-scale, loose rust, and mineral sediment.

Water is pumped at high pressure during the hydro-milling process from EMBARK high-pressure pump units through a self-propelled high-pressure nozzle designed for cleaning pipe walls at service pressures between 5000 and 21,500 psi (about 35,500 kPa to 148,237 kPa). The connecting hose is then fed in both directions by a bi-directional feeder and turned into the piping at speeds set by the operator. The hose's circular motion enables the nozzle to fully clean the surface area around the entire pipe circumference while also navigating 90 elbows, piping turns, and multi-directional changes. With full cleaning capacity, complicated vertical and horizontal lengths of pipe with diameters ranging from 2" to 50" are easily traversed. EMBARK specialized cleaning techniques can also be used to clean pipelines with smaller diameters. Simple horizontal straight-length pipelines larger than 48" in diameter can also be adequately cleaned. A 1250-foot horizontal and/or 350-foot vertical cleaning spread can be produced by hydro-milling.

Through the clever operation of the internally developed Hurricane Pipe Cleaning System and EMBARK specialized all cutter nozzles, all loose debris is effectively forced out of the system. All debris is predictably and controllably driven out of the line by pulling back the high-pressure nozzle while it is running. When outfitted with an auxiliary heater, hydro-milling can also be done in extremely cold temperatures.

 EMBARK is committed to offering services in accordance with all customer protocols as a means of complying with increasingly stringent environmental regulations. Hydro-milling setups can be equipped with extra filtering skids to recycle all waste effluent in situations where strict environmental and waste disposal requirements demand a reduction in water usage. When pure demineralized water is scarce, EMBARK has the ability to filter and recycle the used water to get the most use possible before disposal. The recovered water can subsequently be utilized in some circumstances to manage dust.

HYDRO MILLING SERVICES

Hydro milling is a high-pressure water jet cleaning method that can be used to remove mill-scale, construction debris, and process deposits from the internals of piping.

Hydro milling is an effective service to use before steam blowing to remove the mill scale from the steam piping. Performing hydro lazing prior to steam blowing has many benefits including:

• Reduced cleaning times and costs of steam blowing by up to 75%
• Up to 80% less de-mineralized water is required during the steam blow
• Significantly less fuel is consumed to generate steam for the steam blow
• Minimal environmental impact because no chemicals are required
• Far less liquid waste was generated than a similar chemical cleaning

Hydro milling can be effectively used on combined cycle power plant equipment, refinery, and petrochemical steam systems, process equipment experiencing a decline in performance from water contamination or process deposits, and process piping (for potentially lower costs than chemical cleaning).