Descaling Formulation for Industrial Water Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial systems face challenges in efficiently removing diverse scale deposits without causing corrosion, as conventional chemical solutions like hydrochloric acid are toxic and expensive alternatives like organic acids are not effective for all types of scales, necessitating a more efficient and environmentally friendly descaling method.
Innovation Solution
A polymer-based descaling formulation comprising 5 to 15 parts by weight of a dealkalizer, 0.05 to 5 parts by weight of a surfactant or corrosion inhibitor, and 78 to 85 parts by weight of water, utilizing a combination of mineral and organic acids with a MA-AA copolymer as a chelating agent and surfactant, which minimizes mechanical removal and corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hydrochloric acid is used to remove scale deposits, then scale dissolution efficiency is improved, but corrosion and toxicity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing conventional mineral acids (HCl) with a formulated combination of organic acids (citric acid, oxalic acid) and surfactants. This parameter change maintains scale dissolution capability while reducing corrosion and toxicity, directly resolving the technical contradiction between productivity and harmful factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite chemical formulation combining multiple organic acids (citric acid, oxalic acid) with surfactants (Tergitol 100, Triton X-100) and corrosion inhibitors. This composite approach synergistically achieves effective scale removal while minimizing harmful effects, resolving the contradiction between dissolution efficiency and corrosion/toxicity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If organic acids are used as alternative to hydrochloric acid, then corrosion is reduced, but scale dissolution efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple organic acids (citric acid and oxalic acid) with surfactants (Tergitol 100, Triton X-100) and corrosion inhibitors in specific proportions. This combination synergistically enhances the scale dissolution capability of organic acids to match or exceed mineral acids while maintaining lower corrosion, thus resolving the contradiction between reduced harmful factors and maintained productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The surfactants (Tergitol 100, Triton X-100) act as intermediaries that enhance the effectiveness of organic acids in dissolving scale deposits. These intermediaries improve the penetration and action of the acid components on scale, thereby maintaining high dissolution efficiency while using less corrosive organic acids.
3Productivity
If mechanical removal is used alongside chemical solutions, then complete scale removal is achieved, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the need for mechanical removal methods with an enhanced chemical formulation. The combination of organic acids, surfactants, and corrosion inhibitors creates a solution that completely dissolves scale deposits chemically, eliminating or minimizing the need for mechanical scraping, brushing, or blasting operations, thus reducing process complexity while achieving complete removal.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The formulation achieves excellent scale dissolution efficiency across various types of scales, reducing mechanical removal and corrosion, with a suitable composition of sulphamic acid, MA-AA copolymer, and Triton-X 100 demonstrating a dissolution efficiency of 81%, effectively cleaning industrial water system surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
hydrochloric acid (HCl) is the one of conventional mineral acid that has been used to remove oilfield scales since decades as it dissolves most types of scales
Implementation Method 2
0.05 to 5 parts by weight of a surfactant selected from a polymer surfactant, a zwitter ionic surfactant, a non-ionic surfactant
Implementation Method 3
0.05 to 0.5 parts by weight of a corrosion inhibitor selected from a quaternary ammonium salt, or a Polyethylene glycol alkyl ether
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a descaling formulation consisting of dealkalizer, surfactant and corrosion inhibitor and use of the said descaling formulation to dissolve and clean scales formed on the surfaces of industrial water systems. The said dealkalizer is selected from a mineral acid, an organic acid or combination of them. The said surfactant is selected from a polymer surfactant, a zwitter ionic surfactant or non-ionic surfactant or combination of them. The said corrosion inhibitor is a quaternary ammonium salt or a Polyethylene glycol alkyl ether.