Can hp hoses and fill whips be oxygen cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner or should these be cleaned by running something like a simple green solution run through them. I'm just curious if the ultrasonic cleaner would break down the rubber in the hose or any of the orings. Thanks.
Oxygen cleaning hoses?
- Thread starter Bnscherm
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Bnscherm:
It would be impractical (and unnecessary) to use an ultrasonic cleaner to clean hoses. Low pressure hoses can be cleaned, if necessary, by running a detergent solution through them, followed by a water rinse. Brushes are available that can aid the process.
Most HP hoses have a fitting at one end that has only a very small orifice in it. With such a fitting it is not really possible to adequately clean and dry the hose. If you try, you risk introducing "crud" into the hose that could plug up the orifice. If you really think that you need an O2 clean HP hose buy one that is O2 cleaned before the ends are swaged on.
boydski
Contributor
Bnscherm:
I clean my mixing and fill whip hoses by running a solution of Blue Gold through them (similar to Simple Green) and then some Isopropyl Alchohol to help get rid of the water. Blow some clean air through them to dry prior to use.
My Oxygen Booster supplier supplies oxygen clean hoses, and cleans them by running some type of caustic soda through them and then the Isopropyl Alchohol.
Hoosier
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boydski:I clean my mixing and fill whip hoses by running a solution of Blue Gold through them (similar to Simple Green) and then some Isopropyl Alchohol to help get rid of the water. Blow some clean air through them to dry prior to use.
Yeap. just running some simple green into the hose and blow out with a clean air....
Actually, Apeks manual also indicates this method for 02 clean regulator.
Hmm```... I learned one thing today. I never heard about Isopropyl Alchohol one before....
Bnscherm:
Why?
If combustion is going to occur it probably will be initiated in the valve of the tank or maybe the regulator. At this point no matter how clean the hose is,it would be a source of fuel.
I would expend more time and energy on cleaning the parts that are mechanical.
I agree cleaning a hose to eliminate potential fuel is pointless when the hose itself is a fuel. And in, in practice, the ignition source will be in the first stage where heating from sudden compression occurs.
Cleaning a new hose may be desirable if the preservative inside the hose leaves a taste in your mouth. I have had some new hoses that tasted terrible for the first 3 or 4 dives.
Also, in my opinion, using alcohol to help dry a hose and displace water is a bad idea. Alcohol is not all that freindly to neoprene rubber and it does more damage than good. It also isn't needed as air flowing through the hose will dry it quite effectively.
Cleaning a new hose may be desirable if the preservative inside the hose leaves a taste in your mouth. I have had some new hoses that tasted terrible for the first 3 or 4 dives.
Also, in my opinion, using alcohol to help dry a hose and displace water is a bad idea. Alcohol is not all that freindly to neoprene rubber and it does more damage than good. It also isn't needed as air flowing through the hose will dry it quite effectively.
boydski
Contributor
DA Aquamaster:
Hi DA,
I'm not necessarliy disagreeing with you, but do use rubbing alchohol frequently to clean small parts. However, I didn't really understand the reference to neoprene rubber in relation to cleaning fill whips and mixing whips? There isn't any neoprene in the hoses I use and they are compatible with alchohol. I obviously missed something?
pescador775
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Some materials are oxygen compatible, some are not. I use teflon hoses for transferring HP oxygen, that is where high rate flows occur. These are stainless clad and have stainless or brass fittings. However, I use common SCUBA hoses for use on an oxygen breathing regulator. The HP hose is a static device with a flow restrictor. Once it is charged, there is little danger of so called adiabatic compression heating. The high flow hoses are on the low pressure side and do not pose a substantial combustion threat in comparison to HP apps. In either case, buna neoprene is not particularly sensitive to high or low pressure oxygen and will not spontaneously catch fire at normal temps. However, as has been said, one should be cautious in selection of materials where high flows at high pressures occur.
Preparations include disassembling the first stage and cleaning. Same for the tank valve. I replace those buna O rings which will contact HP oxygen for extended periods including the rings on the gauge hose. Cleaning the gauge hose and fittings gives a comfort factor and is probably a small but useful safety benefit should there be a contaminant which could act as a fuze. However, running common detergents through the hose, stuff like Green, is iffy. As has been mentioned, there is no way to scrub or agitate the interior effectively. Alcohol has some cleaning effect and will not harm the hose unless left to soak where, after a few days, methyl alcohol in particular may soften the hose. A short purge of alcohol will have no ill effect. However, it is questionable what safety benefit is provided as even a small amount of leftover vapor is explosive. I don't use any of the common cleaners, certainly not alcohol or gasoline. I clean the hose by injecting ENSOlV, an oxygen approved solvent. Afterwards, the hose is drained and blown dry (sofar as possible), then left to hang. ENSOLV evaporates readily and leaves nothing behind. However, it may damage some plastics. If your hose has a plastic restrictor then solvents may not be advisable. I use detergents only to clean equipment like my wet suit. None of the detergents will remove silicone or other greases by themselves. Vigorous scrubbing is needed. This kind of effort is just too difficult and variable to be used on small parts and gas passages. So, I avoid their use if possible.
Preparations include disassembling the first stage and cleaning. Same for the tank valve. I replace those buna O rings which will contact HP oxygen for extended periods including the rings on the gauge hose. Cleaning the gauge hose and fittings gives a comfort factor and is probably a small but useful safety benefit should there be a contaminant which could act as a fuze. However, running common detergents through the hose, stuff like Green, is iffy. As has been mentioned, there is no way to scrub or agitate the interior effectively. Alcohol has some cleaning effect and will not harm the hose unless left to soak where, after a few days, methyl alcohol in particular may soften the hose. A short purge of alcohol will have no ill effect. However, it is questionable what safety benefit is provided as even a small amount of leftover vapor is explosive. I don't use any of the common cleaners, certainly not alcohol or gasoline. I clean the hose by injecting ENSOlV, an oxygen approved solvent. Afterwards, the hose is drained and blown dry (sofar as possible), then left to hang. ENSOLV evaporates readily and leaves nothing behind. However, it may damage some plastics. If your hose has a plastic restrictor then solvents may not be advisable. I use detergents only to clean equipment like my wet suit. None of the detergents will remove silicone or other greases by themselves. Vigorous scrubbing is needed. This kind of effort is just too difficult and variable to be used on small parts and gas passages. So, I avoid their use if possible.
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