HRP20030605A2 - Agent, appliance and process for removing scale - Google Patents

Description

The field to which the invention relates

The invention belongs to the field of chemical means, devices and procedures with the aim of removing a layer of scale deposited in devices with heat exchangers.

According to the International Classification of Patents, an invention can be classified into:

F28G9/00 Cleaning of internal or external surfaces of heat exchange or transfer lines, eg boiler water pipes. Cleaning by rinsing or washing, eg with chemical solutions

C02F5/00 Water softening; Preventing the formation of boiler scale; Adding substances to the water that prevent the formation of scale or to remove it

Technical problem

It is common knowledge that when mixing hot and cold water, there is an accelerated formation and deposition of scale, the fundamental and most stubborn problem in all heat exchangers. The basic parameters of the technical problem solved by the described invention are:

an active agent that effectively dissolves limescale, is non-toxic, non-aggressive towards treated materials (metals, plastics, rubber, ...) and does not pollute the environment,

a device that, with its mobility, flexible hoses of variable length and "click" connections, enables a simple and quick connection to practically any device with a heat exchanger, without the need to move and/or disassemble the treated device,

a procedure that ensures maximum functionality and extends the life of devices with heat exchangers, is applicable in all conditions, does not pose any danger to personnel and is environmentally friendly.

State of the art

As the most common problem, limescale is both a nightmare and a nightmare for all services that deal with its removal. One of the most widespread services that has daily contact with the problem of water scale removal, and which will be taken as a very relevant example, is the espresso machine service. All examples and data values refer to tests and research in espresso machine services, both stand-alone and services integrated into coffee roaster systems.

A layer of scale of only 0.1 mm, since it acts as a very efficient heat insulator, lowers the temperature of the medium that needs to be heated to a certain temperature by over 25%. The consequence of the above is that there is an unnecessary increase in electricity consumption, due to losses for heating the layer of scale. In addition to the increase in costs for the consumed electricity, the negative consequences are the reduction of the life of the heater due to the extension of the on time and the extension of the time required for the medium, for example water, in machines and devices that use a heat exchanger, to reach the required temperature. The aforementioned layer of water scale with a thickness of 0.1 mm can, for example, be deposited in espresso machines in approximately 60 days.

The traditional descaling process is a long, complex and painstaking job, because the espresso machine is first disassembled. Then individual parts are immersed in acid baths (with hydrochloric acid as a basic component), which by their very evaporation corrode both the materials in the vicinity and the respiratory organs of the workers. Until now, this problem was solved by separate, specially ventilated rooms intended exclusively for dangerous and aggressive solutions.

Due to increased concern for the health of its employees in the EU, dangerous and toxic substances are prohibited in closed spaces, so there is a lack of solutions to remove limescale without high-concentration toxic solutions. When removing limescale, especially thicker layers and/or from hard-to-reach places, such an aggressive solution corrodes and damages the materials from which the treated elements are made (tanks, pipes, valves, heaters, etc.). For this reason, the service technician must first rinse thoroughly, then check and only then reassemble the treated elements. Only when the espresso machine is completely assembled and put back into operation, it is possible to check whether all harmful and toxic agents have been completely removed. If they are not, the procedure is repeated.

Presentation of the essence of the invention

This invention relates to a means, a device and a method for removing a layer of deposited water scale using an active, less aggressive chemical agent, elevated pressure, elevated temperature and a large number of changes of the active agent.

The primary goal of the invention is to improve and speed up the process of removing limescale from devices with heat exchangers of any shape and purpose, without endangering the health of employees and with minimal harmful impact on the environment.

The secondary goal of the invention is to enable the removal of limescale from devices with heat exchangers without disassembling and/or moving them, saving the necessary time and energy, which directly affects the reduction of total maintenance costs.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be partly presented and demonstrated in the following description, and partly through examples and application of the invention.

Brief description of the drawing

Figure 1 shows the device according to the invention in full section.

Figure 2 shows the control cabinet with all the control elements and the pump connection.

Figure 3 shows a two-way multistage pump with motor and device connections.

The following position numbers are used in the drawings and in the following text of the description of the invention:

1 device handle

2 media inlet for indirect heating (16)

3 outer shell of the duplicator

4 output of the active agent (17) to the pump (31)

5 heater

6 wheels for transporting the device

7 nuts for secure sealing of the cover

8 cover

9 input connection of the active agent (17)

10 control cabinet

11 inner sheath of the duplicator

12 probes

13 release of active agent (17)

14 leg

15 media outlet for indirect heating (16)

16 medium for indirect heating (water)

17 active agent

18 button - start

19 control light on/off

20 button - stop

21 safety switch

22 handles for opening and closing the cabinet

23 pump sockets (31)

24 pump control light (31)

25 heater indicator light (5)

26 pump switch (31)

27 heater switch (5)

28 regulation thermometer

29 pump suction port (31)

30 pump suction port (31)

31 pumps

32 pump control and connection box (31)

33 pump drive motor (31)

Detailed description of the realization of the invention

The basic components of the device for removing limescale according to the invention are:

- duplicator tank (fig. 1) with indirect heating by heater (5),

- multistage pump (31) (fig. 3),

- active, less aggressive, non-toxic agent (17) i

- control cabinet (10) (fig. 2).

The duplicator tank (boiler) is made of stainless steel sheet with a lid (8) for quick filling of the necessary amount of active, less aggressive, non-toxic agent (17), with an elevated, separate outlet (4) and a central outlet (13) at the lowest point of the inner tank .

Integrated heater (5) in the interior of the outer container (3) for indirect heating of the active agent (17), and an opening for the medium (2) that indirectly heats the contents of the inner container (11).

The multi-stage pump (31) ensures a greater number of changes and dynamics of the active agent (17), as well as increased pressure. The direction of rotation of the pump (31) can be changed with the switch on the control-connection box (32) of the pump (31). This makes it possible to suck the active solution through the suction port (29) or suction through the suction port (30).

The active, less aggressive, non-toxic agent (17) is made according to its own formula, derived from the results of its own development and research. The active agent (17) is significantly less aggressive towards materials standardly used for this purpose (stainless steel, copper, brass, steel, rubber, plastic, ...) than commonly used agents, it is non-toxic and harmless to employees and the environment, and it is biodegradable and environmentally friendly .

The active agent (17) consists of:

- 75% phosphoric acid in the amount of 10-50% by weight, preferably 20-40% by weight, and especially recommended 30-35% by weight;

- 31% hydrochloric acid in the amount of 5-25% by weight, preferably 10-20% by weight, and especially recommended 12-18% by weight;

- EDTA in the amount of 2-5% by weight, recommended 3-4% by weight, and especially recommended 3.4-3.6% by weight;

- glycol 1-5% by weight;

- glycerol 1-3% by weight and

- water 30-65% by weight.

The control cabinet (10) enables and ensures safe and harmless operation in all environments, as well as the ability to regulate temperature and pressure according to the optimal values of these parameters in the specific case.

The device for removing limescale (fig. 1.) works with:

- active agent (17),

- elevated temperature - optimally in the range of 45 - 65°C,

- with increased pressure - optimally in the range of 2 - 6 bar i

- a large number of changes to the active agent (17).

The device works with high efficiency, scale is dissolved and removed in a very short time from all places where it is deposited, regardless of the place and thickness of the layer, and everything takes place without any danger for employees and the environment.

By connecting the device to the inlet of the heat exchanger, without the need to move and/or disassemble it, the solution heated to the required temperature passes through the heat exchanger.

As a result of the chemical composition, pressure, temperature and a large number of changes, the device effectively and completely removes the deposited limescale. By correctly choosing the type, concentration and proportion of high-quality inhibitors in the active agent (17), it was achieved that during the process of removing limescale there is no damage to treated surfaces made of stainless steel, brass, copper, steel, rubber, plastic and similar materials.

The outlet port of the heat exchanger connected to the inlet port of the active agent (17) closes the circulation system. If necessary, the active agent (17) is reheated by the heater (5), through the medium for indirect heating (16), and returned to the next circulation cycle by the pump (31). The efficiency and quality of the process according to the invention are also increased by reversing (changing the direction of rotation) the drive motor (33) of the pump (31), i.e. by changing the direction of circulation of the active agent (17).

Special attention was given to the following technical characteristics of the device according to the invention, which make it much more advanced and perfect compared to the current state of the art:

- the connections on the duplicator in the "click" design enable quick and safe mounting and dismounting of flexible hoses on the same and the possibility of reduction for all types of inch thread from 1/4" to 3/4", for treated objects,

- the mobility of the device eliminates the need to move treated objects, e.g. espresso machines,

- flexible hoses of appropriate length ensure adaptability to any position of the object to be treated,

- the choice of a pump that enables a working pressure in the range of 2 to 6 bar and a flow capacity of 25 to 50 l/min.

- the possibility of multiple use of the active agent (17) up to the acidity of the solution of pH=3.5.

Method of application of the invention

The invention represents a reliable, practical, durable, useful, environmentally friendly and economically justifiable device. In combination with the active agent (17) and the described procedure for removing the layer of deposited water scale, it represents a revolutionary step forward in this field of technology, in relation to previously known agents, devices and procedures for solving the aforementioned problem.

The application possibilities are very wide - practically in all cases and areas where the presence, deposition and/or removal of water scale is a problem.

It is clear to experts in the field and to all those who deal with the mentioned problem that it is possible to make numerous variants and modifications of the described agent, device and procedure for removing limescale, without abandoning the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (6)

1. Means, device and procedure for removing limescale, characterized by the fact that the basic components of the device are: - active agent (17), - multistage pump (31), - duplicator tank i - control cabinet (10). 2. Agent, device and procedure for removing limescale, according to claim 1, characterized in that the active agent (17) consists of: - 75% phosphoric acid in the amount of 10-50% by weight, preferably 20-40% by weight, and especially recommended 30-35% by weight, - 31% hydrochloric acid in the amount of 5-25% by weight, recommended 10-20% by weight, and especially recommended 12-18% by weight, - EDTA in the amount of 2-5% by weight, recommended 3-4% by weight, and especially recommended 3.4-3.6% by weight, - glycol 1-5% by weight, - glycerol 1-3% by weight and - water 30-65% by weight. 3. Means, device and procedure for removing limescale, according to claims 1 and 2, characterized by the fact that the device works with: - elevated temperature - optimally in the range of 45 - 65°C, - with increased pressure - optimally in the range of 2 - 6 bar, - with a flow capacity of 25 - 50 l/min, - a large number of changes to the active agent (17), - the possibility of changing the direction of circulation of the active agent (17), with the possibility of multiple use of the active agent (17) up to the solution's acidity value of pH=3.5. 4. Means, device and procedure for removing limescale, according to claims 1 and 2, characterized by the fact that: - by correctly choosing the type, concentration and proportion of high-quality inhibitors in the active agent (17), it was achieved that during the process of removing limescale there is no damage to treated surfaces made of stainless steel, brass, copper, steel, rubber, plastic and similar materials, - active agent (17) non-toxic and harmless for employees, biodegradable and environmentally friendly because it does not pollute the environment. 5. Means, device and procedure for removing limescale, according to claim 1, characterized in that: - is a duplicator container made of stainless steel sheet with a lid (8) for quickly filling the required amount of active agent (17), a raised, separate exit (4) and a central outlet (13) at the lowest point of the inner container, - The integrated heater (5) inside the outer tank (3) is used for indirect heating of the active agent (17), 6. Means, device and procedure for removing limescale, according to the previous requirements, characterized by the fact that: - the connections on the duplicator in the "click" version enable fast and safe mounting and dismounting of flexible hoses on the same and the possibility of reduction for all types of inch thread from 1/4" to 3/4", for treated objects, - the mobility of the device eliminates the need to move treated objects, - flexible hoses of appropriate length ensure adaptability to any position of the object to be treated.