CN116899995A

CN116899995A - Chemical mechanical solution for cleaning fluid tanks and pipes

Info

Publication number: CN116899995A
Application number: CN202310364412.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 卢春彬; 于华荣
Original assignee: Ecolab USA Inc
Current assignee: Ecolab USA Inc
Priority date: 2022-04-14
Filing date: 2023-04-07
Publication date: 2023-10-20
Also published as: WO2023197233A1

Abstract

The present invention describes a comprehensive chemical mechanical solution for a tank circulation system. The chemimechanical solution includes chemicals with strong alkaline agents and surfactants to help break down proteins and remove microorganisms. The water quality can be verified before, during and after cleaning, and testing for microbial types can help monitor cleaning efficacy, allowing a substantially real-time method of verifying cleaning performance. In addition, optimized parameters, unique cleaning tools, and customized standard work procedures can also enable effective cleaning. The system utilizes special tubing to enhance mechanical forces during the cleaning cycle, which helps to improve cleaning efficacy and reduce rinsing time after cleaning.

Description

Chemical mechanical solution for cleaning fluid tanks and pipes

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to aquariums and/or corresponding methods for manufacturing, using and maintaining systems. Fluid reservoirs have commercial application in at least the food and beverage, restaurant, health care, pest control, pet, textile care/laundry, fishing, mining, and energy service industries. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a comprehensive solution for cleaning tank cycles by system design optimization, alkaline cleaning compositions, custom standard operating procedures ("SOPs"), tools and cleaning performance verification methods.

Background

The background description provided herein gives the context of the present disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is possible, as of the time of filing, to ascertain aspects of the description, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art.

Temporary fluid storage systems have been widely used in retail markets to maintain freshness of aquatic organisms prior to sale to customers. Typically, the fluid storage system comprises a storage tank, a filtration tank, a circulation conduit and a circulation pump.

The aquatic organisms will be cultured for days to weeks under the effect of the water circulation. During this period, the excreta of the aquatic organisms and the microorganisms associated therewith are enriched on the surfaces of the tank and the circulation conduit. However, ammonia, chemical oxygen demand, turbidity of water, total coliform bacteria and mucoid bacteria (mucoid bacteria) from microorganisms lead to a decrease in survival rate of aquatic organisms. Furthermore, a blockage may begin to form within the pipe, which may exacerbate many of these problems.

The water filtration system within the filter box will culture nitrifying bacteria and other bacteria to maintain the water circulation system suitable for use in the cultivation of aquatic organisms. To keep the environment stable and safe, the filter and walls are typically cleaned with water only and scrubbed with a hand brush. However, these methods are ineffective in completely removing the excreta and microorganisms accumulated on the circulation pipe. In other words, the mechanical force of the water moving through the system is not strong enough to enhance the removal of the soil.

Furthermore, the pipes in some areas of china have not been properly cleaned for many years, and the myxobacteria detected after cleaning may not adhere to the inner walls of the pipes, resulting in falling off after cleaning.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a comprehensive cleaning solution for temporary fluid storage circulation systems that can be used in the retail market where aquatic organisms are farmed and for improving public water quality.

Disclosure of Invention

The following objects, features, advantages, aspects and/or embodiments are not exhaustive and do not limit the entire disclosure. No single embodiment is required to provide each and every object, feature, or advantage. Any of the objects, features, advantages, aspects and/or embodiments disclosed herein may be wholly or partially integrated with one another.

The primary object, feature, and/or advantage of the present disclosure is to improve or overcome the deficiencies in the art.

Another object, feature and/or advantage of the present disclosure is to break down proteins and remove microorganisms, thereby solving the problem of incompatibility with critical materials of the tank circulatory system. For example, chemicals with strong alkaline agents and surfactants can be employed to help promote the breakdown of the proteins and the removal of microorganisms. One such chemical composition is an alkaline cleaning composition comprising an alkali metal hydroxide and one or more of a chelating agent, a metal protectant, and/or a surfactant.

Yet another object, feature, and/or advantage of the present disclosure is to optimize the design of the system to achieve a stronger cleaning mechanical force. For example, a closed system may be provided that closes the fluid path for water to enter the front tank to increase the rate of fluid recirculation within the system.

Yet another object, feature and/or advantage of the present invention is to improve cleaning efficacy.

Yet another object, feature and/or advantage of the present invention is to prevent clogging within a piping system.

Yet another object, feature and/or advantage of the present invention is to reduce the rinse time after cleaning.

Yet another object, feature, and/or advantage of the present disclosure is to employ a circulation conduit during cleaning such that no other manual mechanical force is required, which may save labor as compared to other manual cleaning methods.

Yet another object, feature and/or advantage of the present invention is a customized standard operating program ("SOP") to guide an end user in safely and easily operating the aquarium system. For example, cleaning the SOP may include (1) removing all filters in the filter box; (2) Draining water from the initial system and adding new water; (3) Adding a bottle of a cleaning agent such as an alkaline cleaning composition to the filter box and starting the cycle; (4) Cycling for 10 minutes to 15 minutes and discharging the alkaline cleaning composition; (5) Refilling the tank with fresh water for about 10 minutes, and draining water after said 10 minutes; and (6) repeating step 5 until a pH of less than 8.0 is reached. Another such cleaning SOP (conventional cleaning SOP) may include (1) removing all aquatic organisms and filters in the tank; (2) Spraying an alkaline cleaning composition onto the surface of the cleaning brush; (3) washing the walls of the tank and rinsing with water; (4) checking the pH of the rinse water until the pH is below 8; and (5) complete cleaning and return all fish and filter material to the tank. Another such cleaning SOP (deep cleaning SOP) may include (1) taking out all fish and filter material in the tank and changing the system to a cleaning mode; (2) Draining, refilling the tank with clean water, and adding an alkaline cleaning composition to the circulation system; (3) Circulating the alkaline cleaning composition for ten to fifteen minutes and then discharging it out of the system; (4) Refilling the tank with fresh water for about a ten minute cycle; (5) Repeating the steps with initial water until a pH below 8.0 or similar is reached; and (6) complete cleaning and return all fish and filter material to the tank.

Yet another object, feature, and/or advantage of the present disclosure is to clean and deeply clean a body of fluid conventionally. For example, the above-described SOP may be used to "clean in place" existing plumbing systems using the alkaline cleaning compositions described herein. Such cleaning methods are known as cleaning-in-place ("CIP") methods. Spray bottles with brushes and/or simple brushes can help clean surfaces, such as tank walls and recirculation pipes, both routinely and deeply. Such conventional SOPs may be done weekly or bi-weekly, however deeper cleaning may be done bi-monthly. It is suggested to add the interception devices described herein to the piping system to help improve cleaning efficacy and performance of SOPs.

It is a further object, feature and/or advantage of the present invention to monitor and/or verify water quality and/or test microorganisms before and after cleaning. For example, the primary monitoring indicators of water quality are pH (e.g., fresh water pH of about 6.5 to 8.5, and brine pH of about 7.0 to 8.5), dissolved O ₂ (e.g., 5mg/L or more), ammonia nitrogen compound<0.2 mg/L), nitrite (e.g.,<0.1 mg/L) and turbidity. In another example, the main indicators of microorganisms are total coliform, mold, myxoid bacteria and yeast.

In connection, yet another object, feature, and/or advantage of the present disclosure is to reduce the levels of ammonia nitrogen, nitrite, total phosphorus, and turbidity; while also maintaining the pH of the water; and maintaining or reducing chemical oxygen demand ("COD") after running the cleaning cycle.

In connection, yet another object, feature and/or advantage of the present disclosure is to indicate that cleaning has been completed by the total coliform. If used properly, the coliform detector can reduce the risk of cross-contamination that exists when an employee contacts circulating water in the tank during fishing and then later contacts other surfaces.

In connection with another object, feature and/or advantage of the present disclosure is to detect myxoid bacteria on biological surfaces and excretions. The myxoid bacteria will adsorb on the inner wall of the pipeline, continuously affecting the water quality. After cleaning, detection of myxoid bacteria is improved.

Yet another object, feature, and/or advantage of the present disclosure is to keep fish fresh and/or alive at an all-round service restaurant and/or fast food restaurant site until near the time when the fish is consumed.

The fluid tank systems disclosed herein may be used in a variety of applications. For example, the features of the fluid tank system described herein may be applied not only in fish retail applications involving food products, but also in any other fluid recirculation system that requires periodic cleaning of the tubing. All pipes, including but not limited to sewer, culvert, drain, downspout, tap water pipe, drain pipe, conduit, and gas lines, may benefit from the use of the features described herein.

Preferably the device is safe, cost effective and durable. For example, the tubing may be adapted to resist overheating, static accumulation, corrosion, and/or mechanical failure (e.g., cracking, breaking, shearing, creep) due to excessive impact and/or prolonged exposure to tensile and/or compressive forces acting on the device.

At least one embodiment disclosed herein includes a unique aesthetic appearance. The ornamental aspects included in this embodiment may help draw the consumer's attention and/or identify the source of the product being sold. The decorative aspect does not interfere with the function of the invention.

Methods may be implemented that facilitate the use, manufacture, assembly, maintenance, and repair of aquarium systems that accomplish some or all of the foregoing objectives.

The novel chemical compositions described herein may be incorporated into other chemical mechanical and chemical systems that achieve some or all of the foregoing objectives. The novel chemical compositions described herein are also commercially available alone.

According to some aspects of the present disclosure, a chemical mechanical system for a fluid body and a conduit to and from the fluid body is provided. The solution comprises a fluid body, and the fluid body comprises a fluid having a fluid mass that deteriorates over time. The conduit includes a first conduit that receives a fluid of degraded fluid quality, a second conduit that delivers a cleaning fluid to the body of fluid, and a bypass that directly and fluidly connects the first conduit and the second conduit. The conduit also includes a plurality of valves capable of closing and opening flow to and from the fluid body and circulating flow within the first conduit and the second conduit but not necessarily first through the fluid body such that: when flow to and from the fluid body is closed, the flow rate through the first and second conduits increases and exceeds the maximum flow rate of the fluid through the first and second conduits when flow to the fluid body is opened. The solution further comprises a pump for increasing and decreasing said flow rate, a series of different filters fluidly connected to the fluid body via said conduit, wherein at least one of the different filters employs an alkaline cleaning composition for removing microorganisms, and a temperature control system for regulating the temperature of the fluid within the fluid body. The alkaline cleaning composition comprises one or more of an alkali metal hydroxide, a chelating agent, a metal protectant, and/or a surfactant.

According to some other aspects of the present disclosure, a method for cleaning a conduit between a fluid body and a filtration system, the method comprising: opening a rinse valve located within an insert, the insert fluidly connecting a first conduit delivering fluid from the fluid body to the filtration system and a second conduit delivering the fluid to the fluid body; closing a water return valve in the first pipeline; closing an inlet valve in the second conduit; circulating a combination of water and detergent through the first conduit, the second conduit and the third pump with a pump; and ending the process by closing the flush valve, opening the return valve; and opening the inlet valve, thereby fluidly disconnecting the first conduit from the second conduit.

These and/or other objects, features, advantages, aspects and/or embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a review of the following brief description of the drawings. Furthermore, the present disclosure encompasses aspects and/or embodiments that are not explicitly disclosed but which may be understood by reading the present disclosure, including at least: (a) Combinations of the disclosed aspects and/or embodiments and/or (b) reasonable modifications not shown or described.

Drawings

Several embodiments in which the invention may be practiced are illustrated and described, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views. The drawings are presented for illustrative purposes and may not be drawn to scale unless otherwise indicated.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a single layer fluid recirculation system including a filtration/cleaning cycle.

Fig. 2 shows a detailed view of the fluid piping system employed within the single layer fluid recirculation system of fig. 1, which allows for improved filtration/cleaning cycles, highlighting the view of the valve and its insert (bypass).

Fig. 3 shows a filter box as an operable part of the fluid recirculation system of fig. 1.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective, environmental view of the fluid recirculation system of fig. 1.

Fig. 5 shows images of the cleaning and testing steps to measure ATP from two test runs of the entire filter component of the fluid storage system as described in example 2.

Fig. 6 shows a graph of the percent ATP reduction measured by the filter of the fluid storage system as described in example 2.

FIG. 7 shows a graph comparing ATP samples from an aquarium system before and after cleaning as described in example 3.

FIG. 8 shows measurements of water quality analyzed from the aquarium system before and after cleaning as described in example 3.

FIG. 9 shows the results of water quality testing of the aquarium system before and after cleaning as described in example 4.

FIG. 10 shows the results of water quality testing of the aquarium system before and after cleaning as described in example 4.

FIG. 11 shows the results of water quality testing of the aquarium system before and after cleaning as described in example 4.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will not need to observe a nearly infinite number of different permutations of the features described in the following detailed description in separate figures to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure is not limited to those described herein. Mechanical, electrical, chemical, procedural and/or other changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The features shown or described are not essential to allow the basic operation of the invention unless otherwise specified.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a chemical mechanical solution 100 for cleaning a fluid tank with an improved chemical mechanical filtration/cleaning cycle. By way of example, such a solution 100 may be used in wet storage of seafood, in dishwashing applications (e.g., dishwashers), in textile care (e.g., laundries), in cleaning pipes used in swimming pools, pumps and filters, any other piping system known to degrade over time, and/or any known fluid body (e.g., even ponds) that requires periodic cleaning.

As used herein, the chemical mechanical solution 100 is also referred to as a "system 100". Complete marine life support systems include tanks or aquariums; biological, chemical, mechanical, water circulation systems for each individual species; temperature control; and means for filtering. Thus, the system 100 includes the main subsystems: piping system 200, fluid storage system 300, filtration system 400, and temperature control system 500. Proper hydraulic design of the interactions between the tubing 200, fluid storage system 300, filtration system 400, and temperature control system 500 is important to ensure sufficient water volume and quality with minimal turbulence at proper temperatures to achieve the intended purpose of the storage operation. If the animal is physiologically active, insufficient flow can lead to hypoxia and death of the animal. Minimal turbulence will allow feces and material to settle without being suspended and ingested.

Exemplary types of plastics that may be cleaned using the system 100 according to the present invention include, but are not limited to, those including Polypropylene Polymers (PP), polycarbonate Polymers (PC), melamine formaldehyde resins or melamine resins (melamine), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene polymers (ABS), and polysulfone Polymers (PS). Other exemplary plastics that may be cleaned using the compounds and compositions of the present invention include polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polystyrene polyamide.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the first room 102 and the second room 104 are separated by a wall/partition. By way of example only, the first room 102 may be an outdoor space in which a swimming pool is located, while the second room 104 may be a swimming pool room. In another example, the first room 102 may be a restaurant storefront, while the second room is a kitchen. In yet another example, the first room 102 may include a user-accessible room in a laundry, while the second room 104 may include a room in a laundry that is only employer-accessible.

It should be appreciated that in some embodiments, the first room 102 and the second room 104 are located in the same room, and in some cases different systems 200, 300, 400, 500 may be stacked on top of each other.

The first room 102 and the second room 104 may share the same foundation 106 and, in some cases, even the same surface layer of floor slabs 108. The foundation 106 may comprise a conventional building group material, such as concrete. Floor slab 108 may include more finished materials for human walking such as tile, vinyl, linoleum sheet, wood, aluminum, concrete, asphalt, natural stone (e.g., limestone, marble, etc.), plastic, fiber, resin, epoxy, and the like. Floor 108 includes a trench 110 and/or a drain. Floor 108 also includes a large opening that serves as a hole 112 through which a conduit may pass.

The facilities housing the first room 102 and the second room 104 desirably meet the safety and/or government regulatory requirements of their intended application. For example, the second room 104 may include one or more exhaust systems 114. Exhaust system 114 may include as few vents strategically positioned within the wall as possible. The more robust system 114 may include fans, ducts, sensors, and an electronic user interface for providing store owners with increased control over the rate of replacement air in the second room 104. And in some embodiments, it should be appreciated that similar to tubing system 200, fluid storage system 300, filtration system 400, and temperature control system 500, the importance of exhaust system 114 may be raised to the importance of the primary subsystem, and in other embodiments, the exhaust system may be integrally combined with one of the other subsystems (e.g., exhaust system 114 may share a thermostat with temperature control system 500).

Referring now to fig. 2, a bypass 206 selectively and fluidly connects the main recirculation conduit 202 and the clean water supply 204 to enable more mechanically-aggressive cleaning in some areas of the conduit system 200. The clean water supply 204 may supply clean water or fresh water. To be considered clean, the purified water need only be clean enough for its intended purpose. Such objectives may be to keep the aquatic animals alive, to comply with government regulations, and/or to attempt to maintain cleanliness of the system 100 to minimize maintenance required thereof.

Specifically, the mounting bypass 206 allows the existing plumbing system 200 to increase (boost) mechanical forces during the cleaning cycle, which can help improve cleaning efficacy and shorten the rinse time after cleaning. The bypass 206 may achieve this increase in strength by restricting flow to the fluid body 302 and allowing direct fluid circulation to occur between the initially unconnected tubes. When bypass 206 and bypass valve 210 close flow to fluid storage system 300 and restrict flow only within tubing 200, the length of fluid between pump 318 and the tubing areas proximate to fluid body 302 is thus significantly shortened, resulting in increased flow rates and/or fluid pressures in these areas.

The system for installing the bypass 206 and using the alkaline cleaning composition described herein is thus well suited for cleaning hard surfaces and objects and/or for cleaning in place ("CIP") applications, especially those applications requiring fluid delivery of high mechanical cleaning forces.

CIP applications include at least those applications where alkaline cleaning compositions are passed through the pipes 202, 204 without the need to disassemble the equipment. The alkaline cleaning composition is effective in cleaning and removing soil from such surfaces and objects (e.g., pipes 202, 204; surfaces of fluid body 302, etc.). The soil may include, for example, fatty and proteinaceous soil, organic soil, and films/foams that remain as residue on surfaces and objects, such as from CIP processes.

The CIP cleaning process may include applying or recycling the alkaline cleaning composition described herein to a surface to be cleaned. The solution was flowed over the surface (3 feet/second to 6 feet/second) to remove soil. It should be appreciated that depending on the position of the valves 210, 212, 214, new solution may be reapplied to the surface, or the same solution may be recirculated and reapplied to the surface as needed to obtain a clean, dirt-free surface.

A typical CIP process for removing soil (including organic components, inorganic components, or a mixture of both) generally comprises at least three steps: an initial water rinse or a previously used chemical rinse, an alkaline solution (based on the use of an alkaline cleaning composition) wash, and a final fresh water rinse. Additional steps may include a separate acid or base wash step and a separate sterilization step. The alkaline solution softens the soil and removes the organic alkali soluble soil. The acid solution removes any remaining mineral scale. The strength of the alkaline and acid solutions, the duration of the cleaning step, and the temperature of the cleaning solution generally depend on the amount and toughness of the soil. The water rinse removes any residual chemical solution and dirt before the equipment is brought back on line for production purposes.

The alkaline cleaning composition may be applied to a surface using a variety of methods. These methods may be performed on an object, surface, or the like by contacting the object or surface with a composition. The contacting may include any of a variety of liquid application methods, such as spraying the compound, immersing the object in the compound, treating a foam or gel of the object with the compound, or a combination thereof. Without limiting the contacting according to the invention, the concentrate liquid composition or the use of the liquid composition may be applied to or contacted with the object by any conventional method or apparatus for applying a liquid composition to an object. For example, the surface may be brushed (e.g., using a brush), rubbed, sprayed, foamed, and/or immersed in a liquid solution containing the alkaline cleaning composition, or a liquid composition made from the alkaline cleaning composition may be used. The liquid composition may also be brushed, sprayed, foamed, or wiped onto the surface; the compound may be flowed over the surface, or the surface may be immersed in the compound. The contacting may be accomplished manually by using a cleaning tool such as a spray bottle, brush, or by machine.

The piping system 200 is designed and installed to meet any applicable regulatory regulations. Cleaning and disinfection can be performed periodically, as specified in the operating program, and prevents contamination of the tank and water. For example, the pipes 202, 204, 206 may be, but are not limited to, composed of polyvinyl chloride ("PVC", including chlorinated polyvinyl chloride "CPVC"), steel, galvanized steel, cast iron, chrome plated brass, copper, and/or cross-linked polyethylene ("PET"). All metal or steel pipes should be sealed and maintained to prevent rust and water damage.

In a preferred embodiment, recirculation line 202, clean water supply 204, and bypass 206 each include a valve housing 208 that houses their own dedicated valves 210, 212, 214. Each valve 210, 212, 214 desirably includes a backflow prevention means. The use of each valve 210, 212, 214 is as follows.

Rinse, rinse and open: the first step is to open the flush valve 210. The second step is to close the return valve 212, also referred to herein as the inlet valve 212. The third step is to close the inlet valve 214.

Closing: the first step is to open the return valve 212, the second step is to open the inlet valve 214, and the third step is to close the flush valve 210.

Flushing instructions: to flush the system 100, valves 212, 214 may be installed at the proximal ends of the inlet conduit 204 and return conduit 202. When inlet conduit valve 212/return conduit valve 214 is closed at the proximal end of fluid body 302 and the in-line valve of inlet conduit 204/return conduit 202 is open at the forward end thereof, the pumping force of water pump 418 is allowed to circulate faster between inlet conduit 204 and return conduit 202 for the purpose of conduit flushing with mechanical force sufficient to facilitate cleaning of conduits 202, 204.

Note that: when a flushing operation is started, the first step is to open the inlet line 202/return line 204 series valve and then to close the inlet valve 212 and return valve 214 in sequence. At the end of the cleaning operation, it may be advantageous to sequentially open the return valve 212 and the inlet valve 214, and then close the inlet/return line series valve.

It should be appreciated that in some embodiments, the piping system 200 may include two additional valves (five total valves) in the piping 202, 204 near the bypass and on opposite sides of the bypass 206 to enable the bypass 206 to be used with respect to both halves of the overall filtration cycle 100.

In some embodiments, the conduits 202, 204 and/or the bypass 206 may include a trap, e.g., a U-shaped portion of the conduit designed to trap liquid or gas to prevent undesired flow. The trap most significantly aids in the ingress of undesirable gases into the building while allowing the passage of fluids and/or waste materials. Thus, any catcher employed may also include a purge feature at its bottom.

The valve housing 208 may also be adapted to house more than just the valves 210, 212, 214. For example, the valve housing 208 may also house one or more water quality sensors, particularly if the valve housing 208 is mounted near an inlet or outlet of the fluid body 302. The use of sensors and careful response to sensor output may be advantageous to maintain the fish in a viable condition and further to ensure that water samples collected periodically under normal operating conditions do not produce detectable levels of total coliform bacteria. It may be advantageous to sample in a water recirculation system, such as system 100, and those samples pass the test.

An escutcheon, flange and/or cover plate may be employed to conceal a view of the exposed hole in the wall through which the pipe passes. Brackets may also be mounted in the foundation, walls and/or ceiling to prevent holes therein from slowly expanding outwardly and to prevent chipping and/or corrosion around the pipe. In some embodiments, the escutcheon, flange and/or cover plate will fit directly into the bracket.

The fluid body 302 in the fluid storage system 300 may be a fish tank that temporarily holds living aquatic animals prior to being slaughtered as food. Such aquatic animals may include, but are not limited to: freshwater fish (salmon, weever, tilapia, catfish, etc.), seawater fin fish (flatfish, cod, etc.), crustaceans (crabs, lobsters, shrimp, crayfish, etc.), other forms of aquatic organisms (crocodiles, frogs, sea turtles, jellyfish, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, etc.), and eggs of such aquatic animals (freshwater and seawater snails, and molluscs such as oysters, clams, mussels, scallops, etc.). The aquarium may also contain live frogs, turtles, tilapia, catfish and other aquatic animals that are rarely slaughtered in the food facility and not necessarily just fish. However, care should be taken to maintain sufficient gaps between incompatible species or highly aggressive members of the same species. When multiple species and/or animals are stored in a aquarium, care should be taken to maintain the bottom surface of the aquarium. To this end, dividers and/or baffles may be provided within the aquarium to prevent different animals from interacting with each other and one or more clearance ports may be provided in each portion of the aquarium 302.

The fluid body 302 may also be a washing machine, dishwasher, swimming pool, pond, main conduit of a sewage system, or any other known fluid body (e.g., even a pond) that requires periodic cleaning.

In some embodiments, the fluid body 302 may also include means for displaying a license, label, and/or other similar type of license for legally selling seafood in a given jurisdiction. In addition, the operator may display operational records, such as details of the process water treatment (disinfection) system, and provide any appropriate documentation of wet storage operations required by law.

In some embodiments, the fluid body 302 is adapted to protect its internal contents from extreme physical, chemical, or thermal conditions.

The fluid body 302 may be configured to be easily accessed for cleaning and inspection, self-draining (e.g., through the use of the recirculation conduit 202 and the water return valve 212), and may be made of a non-toxic, corrosion resistant material.

Finally, it is noted that more than one fluid body 302 may be used in the fluid storage system 300. In such embodiments, the fluid bodies 302 are preferably arranged in parallel. If several fluid bodies 302 are arranged in series, the waste tends to compound and aquatic organisms can become very difficult to survive in the fluid body 302 located furthest downstream.

The clean water enters the fluid body 302 through the clean water supply 204 and a line 304 therefrom. As shown in fig. 1, line 304 may be used to bifurcate the flow at a downstream location from the clean water supply 204 so that clean water may easily reach each side of the aquarium.

It should be understood that not all components of the system 100 may or need to be located in the second room 104 of the facility.

The fluid body 302 may include an aerator 306. The reduction in Dissolved Oxygen (DO) levels is a major cause of poor water quality. Not only are fish and most other aquatic animals in need of oxygen, aerobic bacteria also contribute to the decomposition of organic matter. As the oxygen concentration becomes lower, anoxic conditions may develop, which may reduce the ability of the body of water to remain clean and/or life supporting. Aerator 306 remedies this problem by introducing oxygen into fluid body 302.

In some embodiments, the fluid body 302 may comprise acrylic or tempered glass, a fiberglass-covered wooden storage case coated with a resin and/or gel coating, or any other suitable material for retaining its internal contents. In some embodiments, the fluid body 302 includes a cover.

The components of the fluid body 302 and/or other components of the system 100 may be powered by the electrical box 308 via wires that extend back and forth.

The filtration system 400 may employ biological, chemical, mechanical, and ultraviolet ("UV") filtration to treat and dispose of water from the fluid body 302. For example, when biological filtration is used, only 100% of the available crushed coral of high quality can be used. In chemical filtration, activated carbon may remove color and odor producing contaminants from water and/or high quality bituminous coal may be used. In mechanical filtration, a washable, odorless and non-allergenic high quality polyester foam filter pad can be used to block solids and other undesirable substances prior to entering the pump and other filtration components. In addition, high quality high speed sand filters made of durable, corrosion resistant materials can be installed to provide cleaner water. The filtration system 400 treats and processes water until the disinfected/treated process water entering the fluid body 302 does not have a detectable level of total coliform bacteria under normal operating conditions.

In other words, the purpose of the filtration system 400 is to allow dirty water to be effectively cleaned by chemical means (e.g., protein separator 404), mechanical means (e.g., sieving filter 414), and ultraviolet means (e.g., ultraviolet sterilizer 422).

As shown in fig. 1, the filtration system 400 receives dirty water from a supply 402 that carries the dirty water from the fluid body 302. In some embodiments, the supply 402 is simply the main circulation line 202. However, this is not necessary, particularly where a valve is employed at the forward end of the main circulation conduit 202, as the intersection between the main circulation conduit 202 and the supply 402 may provide a convenient location for the valve housing 208 and the valve.

The protein separator 404 may employ chemical moieties discussed below (e.g.,cleaning composition) One or more of the chemicals. The protein separator 404 includes an inlet 406 and an outlet 408, both within the filtration system 400. In other words, the protein separator 404 is positioned in-line within the subassembly itself and is simply used to clean any water that is recirculated throughout the system 100. The outlet 408 is fluidly and/or directly connected to a filter recirculation line 410 that continues to circulate fluid through the filter system 400. Inlet 406 is fluidly and/or directly connected to conduit 420 that fluidly connects protein separator 404 with water circulation pump 418.

The valve 412 is a water adding means for adding additional purified water to ensure stable circulation. In most cases, valve 412 is closed.

Filter 414 may be a mechanical filter for screening solids and other large particles from entering temperature control system 500. The filter 414 may also have physical filter materials such as filter cotton pads, coral stone bags, activated carbon bags, and rattan cotton pads. The function of the rattan cotton pad is also used for biological filtration. These materials may be placed under the grid 428.

For example, when biological filtration is used, only 100% of the available crushed coral of high quality can be used. In chemical filtration, activated carbon may remove color and odor producing contaminants from water and/or high quality bituminous coal may be used. In mechanical filtration, a washable, odorless and non-allergenic high quality polyester foam filter pad can be used to block solids and other undesirable substances prior to entering the pump and other filtration components.

A water supply 416 to a water circulation pump 418 helps to keep fluid moving through the filtration system 400.

Conduit 420 from protein separator 404 diverts the fluid to water circulation pump 418, as described above, but may also be split into separate conduits that serve as input lines 424 to temperature control system 500.

In particular, with respect to the ultraviolet sterilizer 422, the turbidity of the water should be minimized at the point where the water is received for ultraviolet filtering. The ultraviolet sterilizer 422 serves to reduce disease transmission by destroying pathogenic microorganisms as they pass through the ultraviolet sterilizer 422. Each fluid body 302 may be equipped with its own ultraviolet filter.

The temperature control system 500 includes an outlet 502 for delivering water to the fluid body 302 via the clean water supply 204 after the temperature of the water has been sufficiently regulated. The temperature may be regulated through the use of a temperature regulator 504, such as an automatic controller, that directs a compressor, evaporator, condenser, heater, etc. to change the temperature of fluid entering the temperature control system 500 via an inlet 502 fluidly connected to an input line 424.

During operation of the thermostat 504, it may be necessary to move fluid away from the temperature control system 500 through the exhaust 508 so as not to cause thermal failure (e.g., overheating) of the temperature control system. The fluid may be located in the main compartment 510 of the temperature control system 500 and may be a different type of fluid than the type moving through the tubing 200. The need to drain the fluid may depend on the size of the main compartment 510.

Different aquatic organisms may need to be maintained in the tank 302 at different temperatures, thus requiring the temperature control system 500. For example, crabs may be maintained at about 10 ℃, lobsters at 5 ℃ to 10 ℃, catfish at 24 ℃ to 30 ℃, tilapia at 28 ℃ to 30 ℃, and weever at 19 ℃ to 22 ℃.

In examples with even higher specificity, all live molluscs should be stored in an approved wet storage system with water temperatures of 5 ℃ or less. Live or killed molluscs may be placed on drained ice and kept at 5 ℃ or less. In addition, live or killed molluscs may be kept in their original shipping container with clear source identification tags or labels and kept under mechanical refrigeration at 5 ℃ or less. In embodiments where the tank is intended to store soft shellfish, the temperature control system 500 may be adjusted so as to cool the water in the main water supply 204 to a temperature low enough so that when clean water enters the tank 302 at a temperature of 5 ℃ or less, the rate at which the water circulates through the tank 302 is frequent enough to compensate for any natural tendency of the water temperature to rise due to exposure to the environment. Thus, for example, during very hot days, the temperature control system 500 may cool water to a cooler temperature than during cooler days. Likewise, pump 418 may pump water into tank 302 faster on very hot days to increase the rate at which water in tank 302 is replaced.

As shown in fig. 3, the filter box serves as a filter 414 of the filter system 400. The filter box includes a glass plate 426. The glass plate 426 acts as a mechanical filter to filter the majority of the screened solids and other large particles. Other physical filter materials are placed under the grid 428. As shown in fig. 3, clean water may be added to the filtration system 400 from outside the filtration system. In addition, toward the bottom of the filter tank, there is a clean water storage tank near the mechanical filter 414.

The fluid body 302 and the filter 414 of the filtration system 400 are shown in fig. 4. Pump 418 impinges air into separator 404 to effect protein separation. The electrical box 308 provides electrical power to the overall circulatory system.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain at least all the ends set forth above.

Cleaning composition

According to embodiments, the methods and systems described herein employ alkaline cleaning compositions comprising an alkali metal hydroxide, a chelating agent, a metal protectant, and/or a surfactant at a highly alkaline concentration. The alkaline cleaning composition may contain additional functional ingredients and may be provided in the form of a concentrate or use composition. Exemplary compositions are shown in weight percent in table 1. Although the components may have an active agent percentage of 100%, it should be noted that the table does not list the active agent percentages of the components, but rather lists the total weight percentages of the starting materials (i.e., active concentration plus inert ingredient).

TABLE 1

Not limited to the dilution ratio of the concentrate alkaline cleaning composition, in some embodiments, the concentrate may be diluted to about 0.1% to about 10% of the formulation, or about 0.5% to about 5% of the formulation, or preferably about 1% of the formulation.

Alkali metal hydroxide

The cleaning composition comprises one or more sources of alkali which are alkali metal hydroxides. Exemplary alkali metal hydroxides include sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, or mixtures thereof, and most preferably sodium hydroxide and/or potassium hydroxide.

In some embodiments, the alkali source is included in the cleaning composition in an amount of at least about 1 wt% to about 70 wt%, about 1 wt% to about 60 wt%, about 10 wt% to about 60 wt%, or about 15 wt% to about 60 wt%. In addition, without being limited by the present invention, all ranges recited include the numbers defining the range and each integer within the defined range.

Chelating agent

The cleaning composition comprises at least one chelating agent. Various chelating agents can be used to coordinate (i.e., bind) metal ions commonly found in natural water to prevent the metal ions from interfering with the action of the cleaning components of the composition. Generally, chelating agents can be generally referred to as a type of builder, and when included in an effective amount can also be used as a threshold agent.

Chelating agents may include aminocarboxylic acids including, for example, methylglycine diacetic acid (MGDA), N-dicarboxymethylglutamic acid (GLDA), N-hydroxyethyl iminodiacetic acid, ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), N-hydroxyethyl-ethylenediamine triacetic acid (HEDTA), diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA), ethylenediamine tetrapropionic acid, triethylenetetramine hexaacetic acid (TTHA), and their respective alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts.

Additional chelating agents may include, for example: phosphonates, including phosphonic acid; phosphates, including condensed phosphates such as sodium and potassium orthophosphate, sodium and potassium pyrophosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, and the like; organic chelating agents, including both polymeric and small molecule chelating agents, such as organic carboxylate compounds or organic phosphate chelating agents; polymeric chelants, which include polyanionic compositions such as polyacrylic acid compounds.

In some embodiments, the chelating agent is included in the cleaning composition in an amount of at least about 0 wt% to about 50 wt%, about 1 wt% to about 50 wt%, or about 1 wt% to about 5 wt%. In addition, without being limited by the present invention, all ranges recited include the numbers defining the range and each integer within the defined range.

Metal protective agent

The cleaning composition may comprise at least one metal protectant or corrosion inhibitor. Examples of suitable metal protectants include alkaline earth metals, organic phosphates, inorganic phosphates, hydroxyphosphonoacetic acid and/or salts thereof, or other corrosion inhibitors, such as alkyl quaternary salts, hydroxyalkyl quaternary salts, alkylaryl quaternary salts, arylalkyl quaternary salts, or arylamine quaternary salts; mono-or polycyclic aromatic amine salts; an imidazoline derivative; mono-, di-, or trialkyl-, or alkyl phosphate esters; phosphate esters of hydroxylamine; phosphate esters of polyols; monomeric or oligomeric fatty acids; and any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, the metal protectant is included in the cleaning composition in an amount of at least about 0 wt.% to about 50 wt.%, about 1 wt.% to about 50 wt.%, or about 1 wt.% to about 5 wt.%. In addition, without being limited by the present invention, all ranges recited include the numbers defining the range and each integer within the defined range.

Surface active agent

The cleaning composition may comprise at least one surfactant. Suitable surfactants include, but are not limited to, anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, and combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the surfactant is a nonionic surfactant. In one embodiment, the surfactant is a nonionic surfactant.

Exemplary descriptions of nonionic surfactants suitable for inclusion in the cleaning compositions are generally characterized by the presence of organic hydrophobic groups and organic hydrophilic groups, and are typically produced by condensation of organic aliphatic, alkylaromatic or polyoxyalkylene hydrophobic compounds with hydrophilic basic oxidized moieties which are conventionally ethylene oxide or a polyhydrate thereof, polyethylene glycol. In fact, any hydrophobic compound having a hydroxyl, carboxyl, amino or amide group with a reactive hydrogen atom may be condensed with ethylene oxide, or a polyhydrated adduct thereof, or a mixture thereof with an alkylene oxide such as propylene oxide to form a nonionic surfactant. The length of the hydrophilic polyoxyalkylene moieties condensed with any particular hydrophobic compound can be readily adjusted to produce a water-dispersible or water-soluble compound having a desired degree of balance between hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties. Suitable nonionic surfactants include:

polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a product of condensed ethylene oxide and water, which may have various derivatives and functions. PEG is composed of monomers or parent molecules (e.g. ethylene glycol, ethylene oxide or oxygen

Polyether compound composition of ethylene) repeating ethylene glycol units as shown in the figureWherein n is any integer of at least 1. Preferably, the PEG coating surfactant is a short chain PEG 200-800, such as PEG 200, PEG 400, PEG600 or PEG 800.

Block polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene polymeric compounds based on propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, glycerol, trimethylolpropane and ethylenediamine as initiator reactive hydrogen compounds. Examples of polymeric compounds made from an initiator that is sequentially propoxylated and ethoxylated are commercially available from BASF corp. One class of compounds is difunctional (two reactive hydrogens) compounds formed by the condensation of ethylene oxide with a hydrophobic matrix formed by the addition of propylene oxide to the two hydroxyl groups of propylene glycol. This hydrophobic portion of the molecule weighs from about 1,000 to about 4,000. Ethylene oxide is then added to sandwich this hydrophobe between hydrophilic groups, with the length being controlled to constitute from about 10% to about 80% by weight of the final molecule. Another class of compounds are tetrafunctional block copolymers derived from the sequential addition of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide to ethylenediamine. The molecular weight of the propylene oxide subtype ranges from about 500 to about 7,000; and, a hydrophile (ethylene oxide) is added to constitute about 10% to about 80% by weight of the molecule.

Condensation products of one mole of alkylphenol with about 3 moles to about 50 moles of ethylene oxide, wherein the alkyl chain of either straight or branched configuration, or the alkyl chain of the mono-or di-alkyl component contains from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms. Alkyl groups can be represented by, for example, diisobutylene, dipentylene, polymerized propylene, isooctyl, nonyl, and dinonyl. These surfactants may be polyoxyethylene, polyoxypropylene and polyoxybutylene condensates of alkyl phenols. Examples of commercial compounds having this chemical nature are commercially available under the trade nameManufactured by Rhone-Poulenc and +.>Obtained from Union Carbide.

One mole of a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched alcohol having from about 6 to about 24 carbon atoms with from about 3 to about 50 moles of ethylene oxide. The alcohol moiety may be derived from alcohols in the carbon range delineated aboveOr it may consist of alcohols having a specific number of carbon atoms within this range. Examples of similar commercial surfactants are available under the trade name Lutensol manufactured by BASF ^TM 、Dehydol ^TM Neodol manufactured by Shell Chemical Co ^TM And Alfonic manufactured by Vista Chemical Co ^TM Obtained.

One mole of a condensation product of a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched carboxylic acid having from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms with from about 6 to about 50 moles of ethylene oxide. The acid moiety may consist of a mixture of acids within the carbon atom ranges defined hereinabove, or it may consist of acids having a specific number of carbon atoms within said ranges. Examples of commercial compounds of this chemical are commercially available under the trade name Disponil or Agnique manufactured by BASF and Lipopeg manufactured by Lipo Chemicals, inc.) ^TM Obtained.

In addition to ethoxylated carboxylic acids, commonly known as polyethylene glycol esters, other alkanoates formed by reaction with glycerides, glycerol, and polyhydroxy (sugar or sorbitan/sorbitol) alcohols also have application in the present invention for particular embodiments, particularly indirect food additive applications. All of these ester moieties have one or more reactive hydrogen sites on their molecule that can undergo further acylation or ethylene oxide (alkoxide) addition to control the hydrophilicity of these materials. In adding these fatty esters or acylated carbohydrates to the compositions of the present invention containing amylase and/or lipase, special care must be taken because of potential incompatibility.

Examples of nonionic low foaming surfactants include:

the compounds described herein are modified (substantially inverted) by the addition of ethylene oxide to ethylene glycol to provide a hydrophile of a specified molecular weight; and then propylene oxide is added to obtain a hydrophobic block at the outside (end) of the molecule. The molecular weight of the hydrophobic portion of the molecule is from about 1,000 to about 3,100, with the intermediate hydrophile comprising from 10% to about 80% by weight of the final molecule. These inverted Pluronics ^TM Manufactured by BASF under the trade name Pluronic ^TM RAnd (3) a surfactant. Likewise, tetronic ^TM The R surfactant is produced by BASF by sequential addition of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide to ethylenediamine. The molecular weight of the hydrophobic portion of the molecule is about 2, 100 to about 6,700, with the intermediate hydrophile comprising 10% to 80% by weight of the final molecule.

The compounds described herein, which are modified by "capping" or "capping" (of the multifunctional moiety) one or more terminal hydroxyl groups, to reduce foaming by reaction with: small hydrophobic molecules such as propylene oxide, butylene oxide, benzyl chloride; and short chain fatty acids, alcohols or alkyl halides containing from 1 to about 5 carbon atoms; and mixtures thereof. Also included are reactants that convert terminal hydroxyl groups to chloro groups, such as thionyl chloride. Such modification of the terminal hydroxyl groups can result in fully blocked, block mixed, miscible or fully mixed nonionic surfactants.

Additional examples of useful low foaming nonionic surfactants include:

alkylphenoxypolyethoxylates of U.S. patent 2,903,486 to Brown et al at 9/8 in 1959 and are of the formulaAnd represents wherein R is an alkyl group of 8 to 9 carbon atoms, a is an alkylene chain of 3 to 4 carbon atoms, n is an integer of 7 to 16, and m is an integer of 1 to 10.

Polyalkylene glycol condensates of U.S. Pat. No. 3,048,548 to Martin et al, 8/7 in 1962, have alternating hydrophilic oxyethylene chains and hydrophobic oxypropylene chains, wherein the weight of the hydrophobic terminal chains, the weight of the hydrophobic intermediate units and the weight of the hydrophilic linking units each correspond to about one third of the condensate.

Defoaming nonionic surfactants disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,382,178 to Lissant et al, 5.7 in 1968, having the general formula Z [ (OR) _n OH] _z Wherein Z is an oxyalkylatable species, R is a radical derived from an alkylene oxide, which may be ethylene or propylene, and n is, for example, 10 to 2,000 or greaterAnd z is an integer determined by the number of reactive oxyalkylatable groups.

Conjugated polyoxyalkylene compounds described in U.S. patent No. 2,677,700 to Jackson et al, 5/4 in 1954, which correspond to formula Y (C ₃ H ₆ O) _n (C ₂ H ₄ O) _m H, wherein Y is the residue of an organic compound having from about 1 to 6 carbon atoms and one reactive hydrogen atom, as determined by the hydroxyl number, n has an average value of at least about 6.4, and m has a value such that the oxyethylene moieties constitute from about 10% to about 90% by weight of the molecule.

Conjugated polyoxyalkylene compounds described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,674,619 to Lundsted et al, 4/6 in 1954, having the formula Y [ (C) ₃ H ₆ O _n (C ₂ H ₄ O) _m H] _x Wherein Y is the residue of an organic compound having from about 2 to 6 carbon atoms and containing x reactive hydrogen atoms, wherein x has a value of at least about 2, n has a value such that the molecular weight of the hydrophobic polyoxypropylene matrix is at least about 900 and m has a value such that the oxyethylene content of the molecule is from about 10% to about 90% by weight. Compounds falling within the definition of Y include, for example, propylene glycol, glycerol, pentaerythritol, trimethylol propane, ethylenediamine, and the like. The propylene oxide chain optionally but advantageously contains a small amount of ethylene oxide, and the ethylene oxide chain also optionally but advantageously contains a small amount of propylene oxide.

Additional conjugated polyoxyalkylene surfactants advantageously used in the compositions of this invention correspond to the formula: p [ (C) ₃ H ₆ O) _n (C ₂ H ₄ O) _m H] _x Wherein P is the residue of an organic compound having from about 8 to 18 carbon atoms and containing x reactive hydrogen atoms, wherein x has a value of 1 or 2, n has a value such that the molecular weight of the polyoxyethylene moiety is at least about 44, and m has a value such that the oxypropylene content of the molecule is from about 10% to about 90% by weight. In either case, the propylene oxide chain may optionally but advantageously contain a small amount of ethylene oxide, and the ethylene oxide chain may also optionally but advantageously contain a small amount of propylene oxide.

Polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants suitable for use in the compositions of the present invention include those of the formula R ₂ CON _R1 Those of Z, wherein: r1 is H, C ₁ -C ₄ Hydrocarbyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, ethoxy, propoxy groups, or mixtures thereof; r is R ₂ Is C ₅ -C ₃₁ A hydrocarbyl group, which may be linear; and Z is a polyhydroxy hydrocarbyl group or an alkoxylated derivative thereof (preferably ethoxylated or propoxylated) having a linear hydrocarbyl chain with at least 3 hydroxyl groups directly attached to the chain. Z may be derived from a reducing sugar in a reductive amination reaction; such as a glycidyl moiety.

Alkyl ethoxylated condensation products of fatty alcohols with from about 0 moles to about 25 moles of ethylene oxide are suitable for use in the compositions of the present invention. The alkyl chain of the fatty alcohol may be straight or branched, primary or secondary, and typically contains from 6 to 22 carbon atoms. Ethoxylated C ₆ -C ₁₈ Fatty alcohols and C ₆ -C ₁₈ The mixed ethoxylated and propoxylated fatty alcohols are suitable surfactants for use in the compositions of the present disclosure, particularly water-soluble compositions. Suitable ethoxylated fatty alcohols contain a C having a degree of ethoxylation of from 3 to 50 ₆ -C ₁₈ Ethoxylated fatty alcohols.

Additional examples of alcohol ethoxylate nonionic surfactants are those that are end capped, such as halogen or benzyl end capped. Some non-limiting examples of commercially available alcohol ethoxylate nonionic surfactants include the following: dehypon LS 54 from Henkel; tomadol 91-6, tomadol 1-9, tomadol 1-5 and Tomadol 1-3 from Tomah; plurafac D-25 and SLF-18 from BASF; sasol C13-9EO, sasol C8-10-6EO, sasol TDA C13-6EO and Sasol C6-10-12EO from Sasol; hetoxol 1-20-10 and Hetoxol 1-20-5 from Laurachem; huntsman L46-7EO from Huntman; and Antarox BL 330 and BL 344 available from Rhodia, pluronic N-3, plurafac LF-221, ls-36, pluronic 25R2, pluronic 10R5, novel 1012GB, pluronic LD-097, pluronic D-097, neodol 25-12.Antarox BL 330 and BL 344 are branched or straight chain C12-C18 halogen-terminated alcohol ethoxylate nonionic surfactants.

Suitable nonionic alkyl polysaccharide surfactants particularly useful in the compositions of the present disclosure include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,565,647 to Llenado at 1 month 21 of 1986. These surfactants include hydrophobic groups containing from about 6 to about 30 carbon atoms; and polysaccharides, such as polyglycoside hydrophilic groups containing from about 1.3 to about 10 saccharide units. Any reducing sugar containing 5 or 6 carbon atoms may be used, for example, glucose, galactose and galactosyl moieties may be substituted for the glucosyl moieties). (optionally, the hydrophobic group is attached at the 2-, 3-, 4-, etc., thus giving rise to glucose or galactose as opposed to glucose or galactose.) the inter-sugar bond may be, for example, between one position of the additional sugar unit and the 2-, 3-, 4-, and/or 6-position on the aforementioned sugar unit.

Fatty acid amide surfactants suitable for use in the compositions of the present disclosure include fatty acid amide surfactants having the formula: r is R ₆ CON(R ₇ ) ₂ Wherein R is ₆ Is an alkyl group containing 7 to 21 carbon atoms and each R7 is independently hydrogen, C ₁ -C ₄ Alkyl, C ₁ -C ₄ Hydroxyalkyl radical or- - (C) ₂ H ₄ O) _X H, wherein x is in the range of 1 to 3.

Suitable classes of nonionic surfactants include classes defined as alkoxylated amines or most specifically alcohol alkoxylates/aminates/alkoxylated surfactants. These nonionic surfactants can be at least partially represented by the general formula: r is R ²⁰ --(PO) _s N--(EO) _t H、R ²⁰ --(PO) _s N--(EO) _t H(EO) _t H and R ²⁰ --N(EO) _t H is formed; wherein R is ²⁰ Is an alkyl, alkenyl or other aliphatic or alkyl-aryl group having 8 to 20, preferably 12 to 14 carbon atoms, EO is ethylene oxide, PO is propylene oxide, s is 1 to 20, preferably 2 to 5, t is 1 to 10, preferably 2 to 5, and u is 1 to 10, preferably 2 to 5. Other variations of the scope of these compounds may be represented by the alternative formula: r is R ²⁰ --(PO) _v --N[(EO) _w H][(EO) _z H]The representation is made of a combination of a first and a second color,wherein R is ²⁰ As defined above, v is 1 to 20 (e.g., 1, 2, 3, or 4 (preferably 2)), and w and z are independently 1 to 10, preferably 2 to 5. These compounds are commercially represented by the series of products sold as Huntsman Chemicals as nonionic surfactants. Preferred chemicals of this class comprise Surfonic ^TM PEA 25 amine alkoxylates.

In one embodiment, the nonionic surfactant used in the composition includes alcohol alkoxylates, alcohol ethoxylates (which may also include polymeric surfactants), EO/PO block copolymers, and the like. Paper Nonionic Surfactants, edited by Schick, m.j. volume 1 of the surfactant science series, marcel Dekker, inc., new York,1983, shows various nonionic surfactants. Further examples are given in "Surface Active Agents and detergents" (volumes I and II, schwartz, perry and Berch).

In some embodiments, the surfactant is included in the cleaning composition in an amount of at least about 0 wt% to about 20 wt%, about 0.1 wt% to about 15 wt%, about 0.1 wt% to about 10 wt%, or about 0.1 wt% to about 1 wt%. In addition, without being limited by the present application, all ranges recited include the numbers defining the range and each integer within the defined range.

Additional functional ingredients

The components of the cleaning composition may further be combined with various functional components suitable for the uses disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the alkaline cleaning composition comprising the base, chelating agent, metal protectant, and/or surfactant comprises a substantial, or even nearly all, total weight of the cleaning composition. For example, in some embodiments, little or no additional functional ingredient is disposed therein.

In other embodiments, additional functional ingredients may be included in the cleaning composition. The functional ingredients provide the desired characteristics and functions to the composition. For the purposes of the present application, the term "functional ingredient" includes materials that provide advantageous properties in a particular use when dispersed or dissolved in a use solution and/or concentrate solution (such as an aqueous solution). Some specific embodiments of functional materials are discussed in more detail below, but the specific materials discussed are given by way of example only and a wide variety of other functional ingredients may be used. For example, many of the functional materials described below are related to the materials used in cleaning. However, other embodiments may include functional components for other applications.

In some embodiments, the cleaning composition may include, for example, defoamers, bleaches, solubility modifiers, dispersants, additional surfactants, additional metal protectants, soil anti-redeposition agents, stabilizers, corrosion inhibitors, additional chelants, aesthetic enhancers (including perfumes and/or dyes), hydrotropes or coupling agents, buffers, solvents, additional cleaners, and the like. These additional ingredients may be pre-formulated with the cleaning composition, or added to the use solution before, after, or substantially simultaneously with the addition of the composition.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the various additional functional ingredients may be provided in the composition in an amount of about 0 wt% and about 40 wt%, about 0 wt% and about 25 wt%, about 0 wt% to about 20 wt%, or about 0 wt% to about 10 wt%. In addition, without being limited by the present invention, all ranges recited include the numbers defining the range and each integer within the defined range.

Examples

Embodiments of the present invention are further defined in the following non-limiting examples. It should be understood that these examples, while disclosing certain embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only. From the foregoing discussion and these examples, one skilled in the art can ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention, and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the embodiments of the invention to adapt it to various uses and conditions. Accordingly, various modifications of the embodiments of the invention, in addition to those illustrated and described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Example 1

The cleaning compositions shown in table 2 were initially tested to confirm the material compatibility of the chemical mechanical systems described herein with the components of the exemplary aquarium storage system.

TABLE 2

Cleaning composition	Weight percent
		Alkali metal hydroxide	15-60
Surface active agent	0-1
		Chelating agent	1-5
Metal protective agent	1-5
		Water and its preparation method	Remaining to 100

A sample piece of the aquarium storage system is obtained comprising a tube, a filter screen and a tank wall. The pieces of the system were immersed in a vessel containing the cleaning composition in the form of a 100% solution at 50 ℃ for 8 weeks. The test using the concentrated alkaline cleaning compositions of table 2, rather than their use of a diluent, was evaluated to confirm material compatibility under more extreme conditions than the conditions of use. Visual assessment at the end of the test did not show any change in appearance. The pieces were also weighed before and after testing, and there was no weight loss that would indicate corrosion or other material incompatibility. These results provide an indication that the exemplary materials in the aquarium storage system are compatible with the cleaning compositions described herein.

Example 2

Additional tests were performed on the entire filter component of the aquarium storage system with the cleaning compositions shown in Table X. When the filter is removed from the tank system, the filter portion of the aquarium requires a separate cleaning step. This analysis of the cleaning process uses ATP measurements to assess the efficacy of the chemical mechanical methods and systems described herein, as compared to commercial controls that use only water and mechanical action to remove soil from the aquarium system. Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) measurements have been used to detect microorganisms in a variety of industries. ATP is used by cells as an energy source and is an indicator of metabolic activity, and it can be measured in bacteria and other microorganisms. ATP levels are typically measured by fluorescence analysis involving reaction with luciferase, which is quantified with a photometer. The measured samples are combined with luciferase and luciferin together with cation, oxygen and tris buffers or similar buffers. The light generated by the reaction was measured in Relative Light Units (RLU). Alternative methods of measuring ATP include colorimetric or fluorometric assays using glycerol phosphorylation and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).

A sterile swab is used to collect microorganisms from the filter surface 602 as shown in fig. 5. The commercial control method 600 shown in fig. 5 shows swab sampling as a first step, with ATP measured as 52575. Thereafter, a second ATP test was performed after cleaning the filter with high pressure water, and the ATP was measured as 18220, indicating a decrease in microorganism population after the commercial control method 600 of microorganism removal with high pressure water. Fig. 5 shows a third image in which a 1% use solution 604 of a cleaning composition is sprayed from a spray bottle 606 onto the filter surface 602 and contacted with the filter for about three minutes during the application step 610. The fourth image shows the filter surface 602 followed by a high pressure water rinse step 608, where ATP is measured as 3619, indicating that the water can only remove a portion of the microorganisms and chemical cleaning is needed for further efficacy.

Additional tests were completed to evaluate whether the additional high pressure water step provided a benefit to the standard cleaning method 700. As shown in the lower image of fig. 5, the contaminated filter surface 702 was wiped and ATP was measured as 78553. A 1% use solution 704 of the cleaning composition is then sprayed from the nozzle 706 onto the filter surface 702 during the applying step 710 and held in contact with the filter for about three minutes. Thereafter, a single cleaning step and high pressure water rinse step 708 as shown in the third image is performed, the measured ATP is 3333, indicating that the cleaning composition can be cleaned in one step with enhanced cleaning efficacy compared to water.

The reduction in ATP from the method was then quantified to compare the cleaning efficacy with the cleaning composition (alkaline cleaner) compared to the commercial control method (cleaning with water). In fig. 6, ATP reduction is shown, where 96% reduction is achieved with the cleaning composition compared to only 76% reduction achieved with water cleaning (control). This data indicates that only about 76% of the soil was removed using high pressure water cleaning, whereas about 96% of the soil was removed using the cleaning system described herein.

Example 3

Additional testing of the cleaning compositions as part of the chemical mechanical system described herein was done on the aquarium system to evaluate the effect of the cleaning method on the reduction of ATP after cleaning and on the overall water quality within the system after cleaning. The aquarium system evaluated was similar to the system depicted in fig. 3-4. The specific system used to verify the efficacy of the cleaning compositions and chemical mechanical systems described herein was evaluated using the following general purpose tubing cycles and dips:

1. testing the bump: 12,000m ³ /h

2. Pipe fittings: nominal diameter ("DN") 50 x 2.0; DN 32X 2.0

3. The volume of the filter box is as follows: 500L

4. Temporary aquarium: 10L

5. Cleaning time: 25 minutes, recycle

6. Flushing time: 1 hour, 3 rounds

7. Cleaning composition: alkaline cleaner with 1% use concentration

The cleaning composition was metered into the aquarium system as described above and the ATP measured before and after cleaning is shown in fig. 7. Eight test points in the entire aquarium system were tested before and after cleaning to quantify ATP (indicative of cleaning performance to remove microorganisms). CFU measured before and after cleaning in various parts of the aquarium system showed reduced ATP at all measurement points with the cleaning composition as part of the chemical mechanical system described herein. Eight positions are described as 1# to 8#. # 1 is the elbow of the inlet conduit 204 closest to the filter box 414. # 2 is the elbow of the inlet line 204 in the aquarium reservoir 302. # 3 is the bend of the return line 202 in the aquarium 302. # 4 is the return line 202 closest to the filter box 414. # 5 is the elbow before # 4, and # 7 is the elbow before # 5. # 6 is the inner wall of the pipe before the grid 428. 8# is the inner wall of the filter housing 414. Position 7, which shows the highest residual CFU count after treatment with the cleaning composition, represents the junction from the net to the tank/pipe where the accumulation of microorganisms is highest. Even at this location in the system being cleaned, there is a reduction from about 901,000CFU to less than 27,000CFU.

Additional measurements of the water quality in the filter box 414 are measured before and after cleaning. The water quality test was performed by Ecolab Shanghai RD & E analysis center. The results are shown in fig. 8. The water quality was evaluated before and after cleaning to measure ammonia-nitrogen (mg/L), nitrite (mg/L), pH and chemical oxygen demand ("COD"). Advantageously, as shown in the graph of fig. 8, the only change in water quality is a reduction in nitrite of about 60%, which is an advantageous result, as nitrite in water is known to increase the incidence of fish death. All other measurements evaluated were unchanged.

Example 4

Additional evaluation of the method of using the cleaning composition as part of the chemical mechanical system described herein was done on commercial aquarium systems. Aquariums from two different tank manufacturers, including integrated and split tanks, were tested as summarized in table 3.

TABLE 3 Table 3

The cleaning method (SOP) is as follows:

1. taking out the filter from the filter box;

2. draining water from the initial system and adding clean water;

3. adding the cleaning composition (u) to the filter box and starting the cycle;

4. cycling for 10 minutes to 15 minutes, and then draining the cleaning composition solution;

5. refilling the system with fresh water for about 10 minutes and draining; and

6. Step 5 is repeated until the pH is < 8.0 (or if different, similar to the pH of the original water)

Each system was evaluated based on water quality metrics including pH, COD (. Gtoreq.5 mg/L), ammonia nitrogen compounds, total phosphorus, nitrite and turbidity. Microorganisms of the system, including total coliform, mold, myxoid bacteria and yeast were also evaluated. Test water was collected from the filter box. The results are shown in fig. 9 to 11. As shown in fig. 9, there are two tank systems being cleaned (shown as a first tank system and a second tank system in the figure). In fig. 9 to 11, after the cleaning cycle, the ammonia nitrogen, nitrite, total phosphorus and turbidity measurements of the water quality were all reduced. There was no change in pH and essentially no change in COD.

In addition to water quality measurements, microscopic tests were completed as shown in table 4.

TABLE 5

Microscopic tests showed that the reduction of total coliform was improved in both test systems and this was an indicator of clean systems at < 10. Detection of total coliform bacteria indicates the risk of cross-contamination when contacting circulating water in the tank (such as during fishing, and then contacting other surfaces). Myxoid bacteria are present on biological surfaces and on faeces from fish contained in the tank. It is important to remove the myxoid bacteria as they will adhere to the inner wall of the pipe, thereby continuously adversely affecting the water quality. Advantageously, as shown in the table, the detection of myxoid bacteria is improved after cleaning. It should be noted that the pipes of sites 1 and 2 have not been properly cleaned for many years, and that the myxobacteria detected after cleaning may not adhere to the inner wall of the pipe, resulting in falling off after cleaning. It is expected that with regular deep cleaning according to the system they will be cleaned to a fully satisfactory level.

The total cleaning time is reduced compared to an unmodified aquarium that was previously cleaned with water and mechanical force for about 3 hours to 5 hours. The improved system (test 3) utilizing the cleaning composition had a total cleaning time of about 2 hours to 3 hours. However, in addition to reducing time, water quality and microbiological results demonstrate the overall efficacy and benefits of the chemico-mechanical systems described herein. In particular, the system provides a significantly improved cleaning effect of the pipes of the aquarium system. At the same time, the quality of the water after cleaning is similar to tap water, which does not affect the subsequent reproduction of the aquatic species contained in the tank.

Notably, all total coliform groups were detected in all of the evaluated aquarium waters, indicating that the aquarium waters pose a health risk. The expected result of the system and method according to the present invention is a reduction in health risks and cross-contamination that can occur during operation when personnel contact the aquarium water and then perform other operations that can cause cross-contamination and cross-contamination, resulting in potential health and safety risks. Thus, periodic replacement of water and cleaning with the systems described herein will provide various benefits.

List of reference numerals

The following table reference numerals and descriptors are not intended to be exhaustive or limiting and include reasonable equivalents. Elements identified by the following reference numeral and/or those elements that are nearly ubiquitous in the art may replace or supplement any element identified by another reference numeral, if possible.

TABLE 5

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Glossary of terms

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used above have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which embodiments of the invention belong.

The terms "a," "an," and "the" include both singular and plural referents.

The term "or" is synonymous with "and/or" and means any member or combination of members in a particular list.

The term "invention" or "present invention" is not intended to refer to any single embodiment of a particular invention, but encompasses all possible embodiments as described in the specification and claims.

As used herein, the term "exemplary" refers to an example, instance, or illustration, and does not indicate the most preferred embodiment unless otherwise indicated.

As used herein, the term "about" refers to a slight change in the number of values relative to any quantifiable variable. The change in the number of values that can occur relative to any quantifiable variable, including but not limited to mass, volume, time, temperature, pH, and log count of bacteria or viruses, for example, by typical measurement techniques and equipment. In addition, in the case of solid and liquid handling procedures used in the real world, there are some unintended errors and variations that may be caused by differences in the manufacture, source, or purity of the ingredients used to make the composition or carry out the method, etc. The term "about" also encompasses these variations. Whether or not modified by the term "about", the claims include equivalents to this number.

The term "substantially" refers to a substantial or significant degree. Thus, "substantially" may refer to a plurality, majority, and/or absolute majority of the quantifiable variables, taking into account the appropriate context.

The term "generally" includes both "about" and "substantially".

The term "configuration" describes a structure that is capable of performing a task or adopting a particular configuration. The term "configured" may be used interchangeably with other similar phrases such as constructed, arranged, adapted, manufactured, and the like.

The terms characterizing the order, position and/or orientation are not limiting and are only referenced in terms of the views presented.

The terms "active" or "percentage of active (" or "weight percent active" or "concentration of active") are used interchangeably herein and refer to the concentration of those ingredients involved in cleaning, expressed as a percentage after subtracting inert ingredients such as water or salt.

As used herein, the term "antimicrobial agent" refers to a compound or composition that reduces and/or deactivates a population of microorganisms, including but not limited to bacteria, viruses, fungi, and algae, in about 10 minutes or less, about 8 minutes or less, about 5 minutes or less, about 3 minutes or less, about 2 minutes or less, about 1 minute or less, or about 30 seconds or less. Preferably, the term antimicrobial agent refers to a composition that provides at least about 3-log, 3.5log, 4log, 4.5log, or 5log reduction of a population of microorganisms in about 10 minutes or less, about 8 minutes or less, about 5 minutes or less, about 3 minutes or less, about 2 minutes or less, about 1 minute or less, or about 30 seconds or less.

As used herein, the term "colony forming unit number" (CFU) refers to an estimate of the number of living bacterial or fungal cells in a sample. Viable cells can be propagated under controlled conditions, and CFU is provided as a measure of either liquid (CFU/mL) or solid (CFU/g).

As used herein, the term "cleaning" refers to a process used to facilitate or assist in removing soil, bleaching, reducing microbiota, and any combination thereof.

As used herein, the term "microorganism" refers to any non-cellular or unicellular (including population-based) organism. Microorganisms include all prokaryotes. Microorganisms include bacteria (including cyanobacteria), spores, mosses, fungi, protozoa, prions, viroids, viruses, phages, and some algae. The term "microorganism (microbe)" as used herein is synonymous with microorganism (microorgan).

The term "microorganism (microbe)" as used herein is synonymous with microorganism (microorgan).

As used herein, the term "polymer" refers to a molecular complex consisting of more than ten monomer units and generally includes, but is not limited to, homopolymers, copolymers, such as for example, block, graft, random and alternating copolymers, terpolymers and higher "x" polymers, further including analogs, derivatives, combinations and blends thereof. Furthermore, unless otherwise specifically limited, the term "polymer" shall include all possible isomeric configurations of the molecule, including but not limited to isotactic, syndiotactic and random symmetries, and combinations thereof. Furthermore, unless otherwise specifically limited, the term "polymer" shall encompass all possible geometric configurations of the molecule.

As used herein, the term "soil" or "stain" refers to any soil, including, but not limited to, non-polar oily and/or hydrophobic materials that may or may not contain particulate matter, such as industrial soil, mineral clay, sand, natural minerals, carbon black, graphite, kaolin, environmental dust, and/or food-based soil such as blood, proteinaceous soil, starchy soil, fatty soil, cellulosic soil, and the like.

The term "surfactant" or "surfactant" refers to an organic chemical that when added to a liquid changes the characteristics of the liquid at the surface.

As used herein, the terms "weight percent," "wt%", "percent by weight (percent by weight)", "wt%", and variations thereof refer to a concentration of a substance in the form: the weight of the material divided by the total weight of the composition and multiplied by 100. It should be understood that as used herein, "percent", "%" and the like are intended to be synonymous with "weight percent", "wt-%" and the like.

The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The scope of the present invention is further defined to include any possible modifications to any aspect and/or embodiment disclosed herein that would result in other embodiments, combinations, sub-combinations, etc. that are apparent to one of skill in the art.

Claims

1. A chemical mechanical system for a fluid body and a conduit to and from the fluid body, the chemical mechanical system comprising:

the fluid body comprising a fluid having a fluid mass that deteriorates over time;

the pipe, the pipe comprising:

a first conduit that receives a fluid of degraded fluid quality,

a second conduit delivering a cleaning fluid to the fluid body, an

A bypass directly and fluidly connecting the first and second conduits;

a plurality of valves, the plurality of valves capable of:

closing and opening flow to and from the body of fluid; and

circulating a flow within the first conduit and the second conduit, but not necessarily first through the body of fluid, such that:

when flow to and from the fluid body is closed, the flow rate through the first and second conduits increases and exceeds the maximum flow rate of the fluid through the first and second conduits when flow to the fluid body is open;

a pump for increasing and decreasing the flow rate;

A series of different filters fluidly connected to the fluid body via the conduit, wherein at least one of the different filters employs an alkaline cleaning composition to remove microorganisms; and

a temperature control system for regulating a temperature of a fluid within the fluid body,

wherein the alkaline cleaning composition comprises one or more of an alkali metal hydroxide, a chelating agent, a metal protectant, and/or a surfactant.

2. The chemical mechanical system of claim 1 wherein the alkaline cleaning composition comprises from about 1 wt.% to about 70 wt.% of the alkali metal hydroxide, from about 0 wt.% to about 50 wt.% of the chelating agent, from about 0 wt.% to about 50 wt.% of the metal protectant, and/or from about 0 wt.% to about 20 wt.% of the surfactant.

3. The chemical mechanical system of any one of claims 1 to 2 wherein the alkaline cleaning composition comprises from about 15 wt.% to about 60 wt.% of the alkali metal hydroxide, from about 1 wt.% to about 5 wt.% of the chelating agent, from about 1 wt.% to about 5 wt.% of the metal protectant, and/or from about 0 wt.% to about 1 wt.% of the surfactant.

4. A chemical mechanical system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the alkali metal hydroxide is sodium hydroxide and/or potassium hydroxide, the chelating agent is an aminocarboxylic acid, phosphonate, phosphonic acid, phosphate or a combination thereof, the metal protecting agent is an alkaline earth metal, an organic or inorganic phosphate, hydroxyphosphonoacetic acid and/or a salt thereof, an alkyl quaternary salt, a hydroxyalkyl quaternary salt, an alkylaryl quaternary salt, an arylalkyl quaternary salt or an arylamine quaternary salt, an amine salt, an imidazoline derivative, a phosphate and/or a fatty acid, and the surfactant is a nonionic surfactant.

5. The chemical mechanical system of claim 4 wherein the surfactant further comprises an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, a zwitterionic surfactant, or a combination thereof.

6. The chemical mechanical system of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the alkali metal hydroxide comprises sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, or mixtures thereof.

7. The chemical mechanical system of claim 6 wherein the alkali metal hydroxide comprises sodium hydroxide and/or potassium hydroxide.

8. The chemical mechanical system of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the metal protectant comprises an alkaline earth metal, an organic phosphate, an inorganic phosphate, hydroxyphosphonoacetic acid and/or salts thereof, or other corrosion inhibitor, such as an alkyl quaternary salt, a hydroxyalkyl quaternary salt, an alkylaryl quaternary salt, an arylalkyl quaternary salt, or an arylamine quaternary salt; mono-or polycyclic aromatic amine salts; an imidazoline derivative; mono-, di-, or tri-alkyl or alkyl phosphate esters; phosphate esters of hydroxylamine; phosphate esters of polyols; monomeric or oligomeric fatty acids; or any combination thereof.

9. The chemical mechanical system of any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising valves in the first and second conduits.

10. A chemical mechanical system according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the fluid body is a fish tank for wet storage of seafood and the fish tank includes an oxygen pump or aerator.

11. The chemical mechanical system of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the fluid body is a washing machine.

12. The chemical mechanical system of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the fluid body is a dishwasher.

13. The chemical mechanical system of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the fluid body is a swimming pool.

14. The chemical mechanical system of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the second conduit diverges into two separate fluid paths such that the cleaning fluid can enter the fluid body at separate locations on opposite sides of the fluid body.

15. The chemical mechanical system of any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein the temperature control system discharges or discharges a fluid different from the cleaning fluid in order to regulate temperature.

16. The chemical mechanical system of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the series of filters comprises mechanical sieves and/or physical filter materials.

17. The chemical mechanical system of any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein the series of different filters comprises an ultraviolet sterilizer.

18. The chemical mechanical system of any one of claims 1 to 17 further comprising a valve to stop flow of fluid to and from the series of filters.

19. A method for cleaning a conduit between a fluid body and a filtration system, the method comprising:

Opening a rinse valve located within an insert, the insert fluidly connecting a first conduit delivering fluid from the fluid body to the filtration system and a second conduit delivering fluid to the fluid body;

closing a water return valve in the first pipeline;

closing an inlet valve in the second conduit;

circulating a fluid and an alkaline cleaning composition through the first conduit, the second conduit, and the third pump with a pump; and

ending the process by closing the flush valve, opening the return valve; and opening the inlet valve, thereby fluidly disconnecting the first conduit from the second conduit;

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the second conduit delivers the fluid from the filtration system directly to the body of fluid.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the second conduit delivers the fluid to the body of fluid after the fluid has passed through a temperature control system.

22. The method of any one of claims 19 to 21, further comprising reducing total coliform, myxoid bacteria, and other microorganisms in one or more of the fluid body or the conduits by at least about 70%.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein total coliform, myxoid bacteria, and other microorganisms in one or more of the fluid body or the conduits are reduced by at least about 80%.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the total coliform, myxoid bacteria, and other microorganisms in one or more of the fluid body or the conduits are reduced by at least about 90%.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein total coliform, myxoid bacteria, and other microorganisms in one or more of the fluid body or the conduits are reduced by at least about 99%.

26. The method of any one of claims 19 to 25, further comprising increasing the survival rate of aquatic species contained within the fluid body.

27. The method of any one of claims 19 to 26, further comprising improving water quality as measured by a reduction in ammonia nitrogen levels, nitrite, total phosphorus, and/or turbidity.

28. The method of any one of claims 19 to 27, wherein the method does not substantially change the pH or chemical oxygen demand of the water.

29. A method for cleaning a body of fluid, the method comprising:

(1) Taking out all filters in the filter box;

(2) Draining the water from the initial system and adding new water;

(3) Adding an alkaline cleaning composition to the filter box and starting a cycle, the alkaline cleaning composition comprising an alkali metal hydroxide and one or more of a chelating agent, a metal protectant, and/or a surfactant;

(4) Cycling for ten to fifteen minutes and discharging the alkaline cleaning composition from the filter box;

(5) Refilling the filter box with clean water for about ten minutes, and draining the water after the ten minutes; and

(6) Step 5 is repeated until a pH below 8.0 is reached.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising reducing total coliform, myxoid bacteria, and other microorganisms in one or more of the fluid body or the conduit by at least 70%.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein total coliform, myxoid bacteria, and other microorganisms in one or more of the fluid body or the conduits are reduced by at least 80%.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein total coliform, myxoid bacteria, and other microorganisms in one or more of the fluid body or the conduits are reduced by at least 90%.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the total coliform, myxoid bacteria, and other microorganisms in one or more of the fluid body or the conduits are reduced by at least 99%.

34. The method of any one of claims 29 to 33, further comprising increasing the survival rate of aquatic species contained within the fluid body.

35. The method of any one of claims 29 to 34, further comprising improving water quality as measured by a reduction in ammonia nitrogen levels, nitrite, total phosphorus, and/or turbidity.

36. The method of any one of claims 29 to 35, wherein the method does not substantially change the pH or chemical oxygen demand of the water.

37. A conventional cleaning method for cleaning a body of fluid, the conventional cleaning method comprising:

(1) Taking out all the aquatic organisms and the filter materials in the tank;

(2) Spraying an alkaline cleaning composition onto the surface of the brush, the alkaline cleaning composition comprising one or more of an alkali metal hydroxide, a chelating agent, a metal protectant, and/or a surfactant;

(3) Scrubbing the walls of the tank and rinsing the walls with water;

(4) Checking the pH of the rinse water until the pH is below about 8.0; and

(5) Completing the cleaning and returning the aquatic organisms and filter material to the tank;

wherein the conventional cleaning process is arranged at a frequency of at least once per week.

38. The conventional method of claim 37, further comprising reducing the total coliform, myxoid bacteria, and other microorganisms in one or more of the fluid body or the conduit by at least 70%.

39. The conventional method according to claim 38, wherein the total coliform, myxoid bacteria and other microorganisms in one or more of the fluid body or the conduits are reduced by at least 80%.

40. The conventional method of claim 39, wherein the total coliform, myxoid bacteria and other microorganisms in one or more of the fluid body or the conduit are reduced by at least 90%.

41. The conventional method of claim 40, wherein the total coliform, myxoid bacteria and other microorganisms in one or more of the fluid body or the conduit are reduced by at least 99%.

42. The conventional method of any one of claims 37 to 41, further comprising increasing the survival rate of aquatic species contained within the fluid body.

43. The conventional method of any one of claims 37 to 42, further comprising improving water quality as measured by reduction in ammonia nitrogen levels, nitrite, total phosphorus and/or turbidity.

44. A conventional process according to any one of claims 37 to 43, wherein the process does not substantially alter the pH or chemical oxygen demand of the water.

45. A deep cleaning method for cleaning a body of fluid, the deep cleaning method comprising:

(1) All aquatic organisms and filter material in the tank are removed and the system is changed to a cleaning mode;

(2) Draining water from the tank, refilling the tank with clean water, and adding the alkaline cleaning composition to a circulation system, the alkaline cleaning composition comprising an alkali metal hydroxide and one or more of a chelating agent, a metal protectant, and/or a surfactant;

(3) Cycling for ten to fifteen minutes, and then draining the alkaline cleaning composition from the tank;

(4) Refilling the tank with fresh water for about a ten minute cycle, and then draining the water from the tank;

(5) Repeating step (4) with initial water until the pH is below about 8.0; and

(6) Completing the cleaning and returning the aquatic organisms and filter material to the tank;

wherein execution of the deep cleaning method results in a reduction of at least 70% of total coliform bacteria, myxoid bacteria and other microorganisms in the fluid body or one or more of the conduits.

46. The deep cleaning method of claim 45, wherein total coliform bacteria, myxoid bacteria, and other microorganisms in one or more of the fluid body or the tubing are reduced by at least 80%.

47. The deep cleaning method of claim 46, wherein total coliform bacteria, myxoid bacteria, and other microorganisms in one or more of the fluid body or the tubing are reduced by at least 90%.

48. The deep cleaning method of claim 47, wherein total coliform bacteria, myxoid bacteria, and other microorganisms in one or more of the fluid body or the tubing are reduced by at least 99%.

49. The deep cleaning method of any one of claims 45-48, further comprising increasing survival of aquatic species contained within the fluid body.

50. The deep cleaning method of any one of claims 45-49, further comprising improving water quality as measured by a reduction in ammonia nitrogen levels, nitrite, total phosphorus, and/or turbidity.

51. The deep cleaning method of any one of claims 45-50, wherein the method does not substantially change the pH or chemical oxygen demand of the water.

52. A retrofit kit for cleaning a fluid body and/or a pipe, the retrofit kit comprising:

an insert conduit that is retrofittable to an existing conduit system;

a valve attachable to the insertion tubing and the existing tubing, the valve being capable of:

closing and opening flow to and from the body of fluid; and

An alkaline cleaning composition comprising one or more of an alkali metal hydroxide, a chelating agent, a metal protectant, and/or a surfactant; and

the instructions are for evaluating the cleaning efficacy within the fluid body and/or conduit.

53. The kit of claim 52, wherein the fluid body is a tank and the instructions direct a user to:

i. taking out all the aquatic organisms and the filter materials in the tank;

spraying the alkaline cleaning composition onto the surface of the brush;

scrubbing the walls of the tank and rinsing the walls with water;

checking the pH of the flush water until the pH is below about 8.0; and

cleaning is completed and the aquatic organisms and filter material are returned to the tank.

54. The kit of claim 52, wherein the fluid body is a tank and the instructions direct a user to:

i. all aquatic organisms and filter material in the tank are removed and the system is changed to a cleaning mode;

draining water from the tank, refilling the tank with clean water, and adding the alkaline cleaning composition to the circulation system;

cycling for ten to fifteen minutes, and then draining the alkaline cleaning composition from the tank;

Refilling the tank with fresh water for about a ten minute cycle, and then draining the water from the tank;

repeating step iv with the initial water until the pH is below about 8.0; and

55. The kit of claim 52, wherein the fluid body is a filter box, and the instructions direct a user to:

i. taking out all filters in the filter box;

draining the water from the initial system and adding new water;

adding the alkaline cleaning composition to the filtration tank and starting a cycle;

cycling for ten to fifteen minutes and discharging the alkaline cleaning composition from the filtration tank;

refilling the filter box with clean water for about ten minutes and draining the water after the ten minutes; and

repeating step v until a pH below 8.0 is reached.