oil in steam boiler

[whiskeytango]

Anyone have any advice on how to clean out oil form a steam boiler?  

[indyspirits]

Dawn detergent is what our boiler guy initially used. Some use TSP but it's verboten in some jurisdictions. 

 

 

[starcat]

Boiler " Boil Out " is done with 2-1/2 lbs. each TSP and Caustic Soda for every 120 gal of water.

This is added to cold boiler, its closed up and then fired OFF the steam main for 5-6 hrs. Then cool and rinse well. Then refill with your chemical feed set to run somewhere around the half full point.

Its a mistake in steam fitting practice to put any black pipe together that has not been solvent cleaned, or otherwise properly degreased. Letting that oil get loose in the system will make it harder to fully get out, than if it was stopped beforehand.

[whiskeytango]

4 hours ago, indyspirits said:

Dawn detergent is what our boiler guy initially used. Some use TSP but it's verboten in some jurisdictions. 

 

 

Just regular old liquid dish soap? I have also heard borax works well. 

 

[indyspirits]

Yup, regular ole Dawn dishwashing detergent.  Obviously not full strength. Basically you're cleaning out any oils resulting from the piping work. Dawn is fantastic for that and lots of other things.   I'm most interested in the grease/oil cutting attributes.