A method of removing trapped hydrocarbons from pipework, the pipework comprising a through pipe (1) extending from an inlet to an outlet, and at least one up-pipe (2a, 2b) extending upwardly from the through pipe. The method comprises: flushing the through pipe with a water-based liquid (6) which has a density less than hydrocarbons; wherein the water-based liquid comprises a plurality of rigid containers, such as microspheres, the rigid containers each having a sealed void containing a gas. in this way, hydrocarbons in the up-pipes may be removed without hot-tapping them. The flushing may be performed by directing pipeline pigs (5a, 5b) in front of and behind the water-based liquid. The pigs may be a cross-linked gel, based pipeline pig with elastomeric properties. A kit of parts for such a method is also disclosed.

A method of removing trapped hydrocarbons from pipework, the pipework comprising a through pipe (1) extending from an inlet to an outlet, and at least one up-pipe (2a, 2b) extending upwardly from the through pipe. The method comprises: flushing the through pipe with a water-based liquid (6) which has a density less than hydrocarbons; wherein the water-based liquid comprises a plurality of rigid containers, such as microspheres, the rigid containers each having a sealed void containing a gas. in this way, hydrocarbons in the up-pipes may be removed without hot-tapping them. The flushing may be performed by directing pipeline pigs (5a, 5b) in front of and behind the water-based liquid. The pigs may be a cross-linked gel, based pipeline pig with elastomeric properties. A kit of parts for such a method is also disclosed.

A method of removing trapped hydrocarbons from pipework, the pipework comprising a through pipe (1) extending from an inlet to an outlet, and at least one up-pipe (2a, 2b) extending upwardly from the through pipe. The method comprises: flushing the through pipe with a water-based liquid (6) which has a density less than hydrocarbons; wherein the water-based liquid comprises a plurality of rigid containers, such as microspheres, the rigid containers each having a sealed void containing a gas. in this way, hydrocarbons in the up-pipes may be removed without hot-tapping them. The flushing may be performed by directing pipeline pigs (5a, 5b) in front of and behind the water-based liquid. The pigs may be a cross-linked gel, based pipeline pig with elastomeric properties. A kit of parts for such a method is also disclosed.

A surgical tool, systems, and method for cleaning an anatomical space is provided. At least one brush is disposed on a shaft extending through a tube. The tube includes a corresponding brush slot for each brush. A motor is operable to rotate the shaft to cause the at least one brush to move from a closed position to a cleaning position. The at least one brush is positioned entirely inside of the tube when in the closed position and at least partially outside of the tube when in the cleaning position. A fluid source is operable to supply fluid to the at least one brush as the at least one brush passes through the brush slot.

A surgical tool, systems, and method for cleaning an anatomical space is provided. At least one brush is disposed on a shaft extending through a tube. The tube includes a corresponding brush slot for each brush. A motor is operable to rotate the shaft to cause the at least one brush to move from a closed position to a cleaning position. The at least one brush is positioned entirely inside of the tube when in the closed position and at least partially outside of the tube when in the cleaning position. A fluid source is operable to supply fluid to the at least one brush as the at least one brush passes through the brush slot.

A method of minimizing material mixing in a piping system during a transition between a first material and a second material includes providing a plurality of pipe pigs in a first pipe section with the plurality of pipe pigs being sufficient to substantially fill a cross-section of the first pipe section and to define a plug having a leading edge and a trailing edge such that the leading edge is in contact with a first material and the trailing edge is in contact with a second material. Each pipe pig has a nominal size that is smaller than an effective diameter of the first pipe section. The plug is moved through the piping system by moving the second material. Advantageously, mixing of the first material and the second material is inhibited by the plug.

A method of minimizing material mixing in a piping system during a transition between a first material and a second material includes providing a plurality of pipe pigs in a first pipe section with the plurality of pipe pigs being sufficient to substantially fill a cross-section of the first pipe section and to define a plug having a leading edge and a trailing edge such that the leading edge is in contact with a first material and the trailing edge is in contact with a second material. Each pipe pig has a nominal size that is smaller than an effective diameter of the first pipe section. The plug is moved through the piping system by moving the second material. Advantageously, mixing of the first material and the second material is inhibited by the plug.

Methods of cleaning-in-place are contemplated whereby a suspension is introduced into a mechanical system containing contaminated surfaces. The solid-phase particles suspended within the suspension are functional to at least partially clean the contamination. Following the at least partial cleaning, the suspension may be purged from the mechanical system. In this way, it may be seen that modalities of decontamination may be achieved which may be operative to decontaminate many types and degrees of contamination for which it may not be feasible to decontaminate via conventional methods of decontamination.

A surgical tool, systems, and method for cleaning an anatomical space is provided. At least one brush is disposed on a shaft extending through a tube. The tube includes a corresponding brush slot for each brush. A motor is operable to rotate the shaft to cause the at least one brush to move from a closed position to a cleaning position. The at least one brush is positioned entirely inside of the tube when in the closed position and at least partially outside of the tube when in the cleaning position. A fluid source is operable to supply fluid to the at least one brush as the at least one brush passes through the brush slot.

A surgical tool, systems, and method for cleaning an anatomical space is provided. At least one brush is disposed on a shaft extending through a tube. The tube includes a corresponding brush slot for each brush. A motor is operable to rotate the shaft to cause the at least one brush to move from a closed position to a cleaning position. The at least one brush is positioned entirely inside of the tube when in the closed position and at least partially outside of the tube when in the cleaning position. A fluid source is operable to supply fluid to the at least one brush as the at least one brush passes through the brush slot.