{"id":49935,"date":"2026-09-17T15:03:05","date_gmt":"2026-09-17T15:03:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fhtvalves.com\/?p=49935"},"modified":"2026-09-21T07:02:46","modified_gmt":"2026-09-21T07:02:46","slug":"degreasing-of-ball-valves-for-oxygen-service","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fhtvalves.com\/en\/degreasing-of-ball-valves-for-oxygen-service\/","title":{"rendered":"Degreasing of Ball Valves for Oxygen Service"},"content":{"rendered":"

In oxygen service, the danger lies not in leakage but in ignition. Unlike other industrial gases, oxygen acts as an oxidizer: in the presence of traces of grease, oil, metal particles, or any residual hydrocarbon, even a minimal energy source \u2014 friction, adiabatic compression, or particle impact \u2014 is enough to trigger violent combustion inside the valve body itself. This is why degreasing is not an optional finishing step, but a fundamental requirement in the design and manufacture of ball valves for oxygen service.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why Oxygen Requires a Specific Cleaning Process<\/b><\/h2>\n

A conventional ball valve may leave the factory with traces of machining coolants, assembly greases, or metal particles resulting from the manufacturing process. In most industrial services, these residues are irrelevant. In oxygen service, especially at high concentrations or pressures, any combustible residue inside the body, ball, or seat becomes a potential ignition point.<\/span><\/p>\n

The risk increases with pressure and flow velocity. A sudden increase in pressure causes adiabatic compression of gas trapped in internal cavities, generating localized temperature peaks high enough to ignite organic residues. At higher flow velocities, the kinetic energy of solid particles suspended in the flow can also act as an ignition source when they impact metal surfaces.<\/span><\/p>\n

Reference Standards for Degreasing<\/b><\/h2>\n

The degreasing process for oxygen-service ball valves is not left to the manufacturer’s discretion: it is governed by specific standards that define permissible materials, cleaning methods, and acceptable levels of residual contamination.<\/span><\/p>\n

The main industry references are <\/span>ASTM G93<\/b>, which establishes cleanliness levels for components intended for oxygen service, and <\/span>IGC Doc 13<\/b>, published by the European Industrial Gases Association, which details degreasing procedures, compatible materials, and installation conditions. Both standards agree on one central point: the removal of hydrocarbons, particles, and moisture must be verified, not simply assumed.<\/span><\/p>\n

What the Degreasing Process Involves in Practice<\/b><\/h2>\n

Degreasing an<\/span> industrial ball valve<\/span><\/a> for oxygen service covers all components in contact with the fluid: body, ball, seats, stem, and seals. The typical process includes:<\/span><\/p>\n