What is the best and safest way to clean oil out of air lines?

by matt
(boise, idaho)

I have 4 inch galvanized pipe throughout my plant and I had an issue with oil carry over. I need to get the oil out of the lines now. I've heard of using liquid nitrogen, steam, and rubbing alchol. What is your suggestion?

---

Bill says...

I take it that the oil in the lines is in a liquid form?

It were me, I wouldn't bother trying to clean the mains. I'd make sure that I had a filter at every air use location, and if the oil was migrating through the filter, I'd add a coalescent filter.

Safe and easy.

How much oil? Eventually it will blow through the system all by itself, I should think.

My two cents worth!

Cheers,

Bill