Silicic Acid Cleaning for Silica Scale with Reduced Corrosion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for removing silica-based scale in water treatment systems are inefficient and often involve high environmental impact chemicals, and they do not adequately address the corrosion and deterioration of system components.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning agent and method using a silicic acid compound, optionally with chelating agents, surfactants, and percarbonate, at pH 10 or higher, effectively removes silica-based scale with minimal corrosion and deterioration of system components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional cleaning methods (organic acids, alkalis, surfactants) are used, then the cleaning process is simple and safe to handle, but they cannot sufficiently remove silica-containing scale

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety and simplicity of cleaning processVSAvoideffectiveness of silica scale removal

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple cleaning agents (hydrofluoric acid or ammonium fluoride, heated highly alkaline solution, and scraping method) into a composite cleaning system. This composite approach leverages the synergistic effects of different mechanisms: chemical dissolution by fluoride, thermal softening by heated alkaline solution, and mechanical removal by scraping, thereby achieving effective silica scale removal while maintaining operational safety through controlled application of each component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by using heated highly alkaline solution at elevated temperatures to enhance the cleaning effectiveness. The temperature parameter is specifically increased to improve the solubility and reactivity of the alkaline solution against silica-based scale, allowing effective removal without requiring excessively concentrated chemicals that would compromise safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If hydrofluoric acid or ammonium fluoride is used for cleaning, then silica-based scale can be effectively removed, but the environmental load increases and handling becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of silica scale removalVSAvoidenvironmental load and handling difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies fluoride-based cleaning agents locally and selectively to areas with silica scale deposits rather than using them throughout the entire water treatment system. This localized application minimizes the environmental load and handling difficulty by restricting the use of hazardous chemicals only where needed for scale removal, while the rest of the system operates with safer cleaning agents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces ammonium fluoride as an intermediary substance that facilitates the removal of silica scale through a more manageable chemical reaction pathway. Ammonium fluoride acts as a mediator between the hydrofluoric acid and the silica scale, allowing effective removal while reducing the direct handling of highly hazardous hydrofluoric acid, thus lowering environmental load and improving safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If hydrogen peroxide and urea compounds are used, then slime and silica mixture deposits can be removed, but the effect is insufficient for scale mainly made up of silica and inorganic substances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness against slime and silica mixtureVSAvoideffectiveness against pure silica scale

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic, multi-stage cleaning process that adapts the cleaning mechanism to the specific type of deposit. For slime and silica mixtures, hydrogen peroxide and urea compounds are used initially to break down organic components. For pure silica and inorganic substance scales, the process dynamically transitions to fluoride-based chemical dissolution followed by heated alkaline treatment and mechanical scraping, thereby achieving effectiveness across different deposit compositions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 silicic acid compound-based solution efficiently removes silica-based scale with reduced corrosion and deterioration, suitable for various water treatment systems and components, including membranes and metal parts.

Implementation Method 1

a cleaning agent and method using a silicic acid compound, optionally with chelating agents, surfactants, and percarbonate, at pH 10 or higher, effectively removes silica-based scale

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCorrosion resistance:

Data Source

PatentUS12371638B2Cleaning agent, cleaning method of water treatment apparatus, and cleaning method of silica-based scale

Publication Date: 2025.07.29 KURITA WATER INDUSTRIES LTD

AI summary

The disclosure provides a silica-based scale cleaning technology. The disclosure can provide a cleaning agent of a silica-based scale, containing a silicic acid compound. The disclosure can also provide a cleaning method of a water treatment apparatus, including: using a solution containing a silicic acid compound. Further, the disclosure can provide a cleaning method of a silica-based scale, including: using an agent containing a silicic acid compound for a water system.