Pipe Cleaning Composition for Low-Heat Cellulose Dissolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sulfuric acid-based pipe cleaners are effective but pose safety risks and can hamper residue-free dissolution of clogging materials, particularly cellulose-based components, due to their corrosive nature and tendency to generate excessive heat.
Innovation Solution
A pipe cleaning composition comprising sulfuric acid (5-30% by weight), sulfonic acid (40-95% by weight), and minimal water (<20% by weight), along with corrosion inhibitors and surfactants, to enhance dissolution properties while controlling temperature and preventing carbonization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If concentrated sulfuric acid is used for pipe cleaning, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the safety risks and corrosive hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameter of sulfuric acid from conventional high levels (typically 70-95%) to a reduced range of 1-30%, while simultaneously adjusting the water content parameter to 70-98%. This parameter transformation maintains cleaning effectiveness through the synergistic action of sulfonic acids and surfactants, while significantly reducing corrosive hazards and safety risks associated with concentrated sulfuric acid.
2Temperature
If sulfuric acid generates heat upon contact with water, then the ability to melt fats is improved, but excessive heat generation hampers residue-free dissolution of clogging materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the thermal parameter by reducing sulfuric acid concentration from conventional high levels to 1-30%, thereby controlling exothermic heat generation. This parameter change prevents excessive heat that would cause carbonization, enabling complete residue-free dissolution of clogging materials including cellulose-based components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite cleaning system combining sulfuric acid (1-30%), sulfonic acids (0.1-30%), and surfactants (0.1-10%). This composite formulation synergistically achieves effective cleaning while controlling heat generation, as the sulfonic acids and surfactants contribute to dissolution and emulsification without the excessive exothermic reaction of concentrated sulfuric acid alone.
3Productivity
If high concentration sulfuric acid is used, then organic materials are broken down effectively, but carbonization of cellulose-based materials occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the concentration parameter of sulfuric acid from conventional high levels (70-95%) to a reduced range of 1-30%. This parameter change maintains the ability to break down organic materials through the synergistic action of sulfonic acids and surfactants, while preventing carbonization of cellulose-based clogging materials by avoiding excessive heat generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sulfonic acids and surfactants as intermediary substances that mediate the cleaning process. These intermediaries enable effective breakdown of organic materials and emulsification of fats without causing the carbonization side effect, as they work synergistically with diluted sulfuric acid to achieve complete dissolution without charring.
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 composition effectively dissolves cellulose-based materials without excessive heat or carbonization, ensuring safe and efficient pipe cleaning with reduced corrosive hazards.
Implementation Method 1
Sulfuric acid reacts highly exothermic with water to produce hydronium ions (H3O+)
Implementation Method 2
Hydrolysis: Sulfuric acid reacts highly exothermic with water to produce hydronium ions (H3O+)
Data Source
Figure 1a~1d
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The present invention refers to pipe cleaning compositions comprising sulfuric acid, sulfonic acid and low concentrations of water, as well as methods of cleaning a pipe by using the compositions, as well as the use of the compositions in a method of cleaning and/or unclogging a clogged pipe.