METHOD OF CLEANING AND MAINTAINING POTABLE WATER DISTRIBUTION PIPE SYSTEMS

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is related to WO92/20629.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] It is well known that hardness and suspended solids in water sources vary widely in composition depending on the source and will result in scale deposition and sedimentation on surfaces wherever water is used. Scale deposition and sedimentation is particularly troublesome in water distribution pipe systems which service the residential and commercial customers of municipalities, private water companies and the like along with industrial process water distribution pipe systems as found in the mining, petroleum, agriculture and the like industries. In these systems, the formation of scale and sediment can reduce the water flow through the pipe system which will limit the capacity of the pipe to service the requirements of the customers or to provide the required water necessary for an industrial process, irrigation, etc. For instance, in municipal systems an increase in the fire risk would be obvious if the fire hydrant did not supply sufficient water to extinguish the fire due to scale and sediment deposits in the feed pipe line. At some point, the water distribution pipe would have to be replaced due to these restrictions at a high cost and with prolonged interruption of service.

[0003] Additionally, scale and sedimentation will increase the possibility of corrosion in the water distribution pipe along with promoting the growth of organisms. The organisms also can be a health hazard, promoting corrosion and biomass which binds scale and sediment together and to the surfaces of the system. Corrosion will eventually lead to the leakage of the system and the necessity to replace the leaking section.

[0004] Strong acids have been used to clean water wells, however, submersible pumps are removed prior to treatment to prevent corrosion by the acids employed. Also, organic acids, mixtures of mineral acids and organic acids or inhibited acid compositions have been found to clean water wells without the necessity of removing the pumps or other equipment. These methods for cleaning water wells have involved static and surging treatment.

[0005] A proper cleaning and maintenance program for water distribution systems will prevent decreased water flow capacity, corrosion and the necessity to replace the system or portions thereof. A simple and effective method for cleaning and maintaining these systems is needed.

[0006] ES-A-533818 discloses a method for eliminating lime incrustations from domestic water supply installations which represents the prior art as referred to in the preamble to Claim 1.

[0007] US-A-4025359 discloses an inhibited acid composition for cleaning water systems which has a reduced tendency to attack galvanized pipe or steel pipe.

[0008] WO-A-92/20629 discloses soap compositions of carboxylic acids and amines useful in removal and prevention of scale containing calcium or magnesium carbonate, oxide or hydroxide.

[0009] FR-A-2602571 discloses a method and apparatus for cleaning a conduit of a potable water distribution network in which pulses of fluid under pressure, such as water, are passed through the conduit.

[0010] In accordance with the present invention, a method of cleaning a potable water distribution pipe system of scale comprises providing a reservoir for containing an aqueous cleaning solution for the removal of the scale, circulating the cleaning solution from the reservoir through a section of pipe in the system and returning the solution to the reservoir for the removal of the scale, characterised in that the aqueous cleaning solution is suitable for removal of scale associated with sulfate-reducing and iron bacteria consisting primarily of iron oxide, biomass and sediment from inside surfaces of the water distribution system, in that the section of pipe is an underground section of a distribution pipe system and in that the method includes sealing off the underground section for circulation for cleaning solution therethrough.

[0011] This invention is directed to a method of cleaning and maintaining water distribution systems. Water systems having interior scale and sediment deposits are cleaned by introducing and circulating an effective amount of an aqueous treatment solution for a sufficient period of time which results in the solution, loosening and suspension of the undesired scale and sediment. Thereafter, the spent treating solution containing the dissolved or suspended scale and sediment is flushed from the water distribution system to provide a clean system with improved water flow and operation. Additionally, further flushing with high pressure water will also remove additional scale that had been loosened by the treating solution.

[0012] The cleaning solution may be acidic, neutral or basic. In the most preferred form, in potable water pipe systems, mineral acids or organic acids, and mixtures thereof, are employed as acidic treatment solutions. The acidic treatment solution may contain further additives such as inhibitors, chelating agents, penetrating and/or dispersing agents to assist in the removal of scale and sediment and to minimize any adverse effects on the pipes, valves, or other system surfaces due to the acids employed.

[0013] This invention provides a simple, low cost and effective method of removing water scale and sediment from water distribution systems in order to maintain proper water flow, operation and to prevent corrosion of the system which would require the high cost and inconvenience of replacement.

[0014] Other advantages and objectives of this invention will be further understood with reference to the following detailed description and drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Among the acidic treatment solutions found to be useful in practicing the method of this invention are aqueous solutions of mineral acids such as hydrochloric, nitric, phosphoric, polyphosphoric, hydrofluoric, boric, sulfuric, sulfurous, and the like. Aqueous solutions of mono-, di- and polybasic organic acids have also been found to be useful and include formic, acetic, propionic, citric, glycolic, lactic, tartaric, polyacrylic, succinic, p-toluenesulfonic, and the like. The useful treatment solutions may also be aqueous mixtures of the above mineral and organic acids.

[0016] Alkaline, acid, or neutral cleaning solutions may also be employed, as indicated above, depending upon the type of scale that needs to be removed. Sequestering or chelating agents such as EDTA (ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid), NTA (nitrilotriacetic acid), and derivatives, i.e., basic alkali salts, and the like have also been found to be useful in the treatment solution in certain cases.

[0017] The acidic treatment solution may also contain acid inhibitors which substantially reduce the acidic action on metal surfaces of the water distribution system, particularly valves, fire hydrants, etc., and these various inhibitors for acids have been well documented in the patent art. Typical, but not necessarily all inclusive, examples of acid inhibitors are disclosed in the following U.S. Patents: 2,758,970; 2,807,585; 2,941,949; 3,077,454; 3,607,781; 3,668,137; 3,885,913; 4,089,795; 4,199,469; 4,310,435; 4,541,945; 4,554,090; 4,587,030; 4,614,600; 4,637,899; 4,670,186; 4,780,150 and 4,851,149 which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0018] The treatment solution may also contain dispersing, penetrating or emulsifying agents to assist in the removal of the scale and sediment. These surface active agents may be anionic, cationic, nonionic or amphoteric as defined in the art. Compounds such as alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl or aryl sulfates, alkanolamines, ethoxylated alkanolamides, amine oxides, ammonium and alkali soaps, betaines, hydrotropes such as sodium aryl sulfonates; ethoxylated and propoxylated fatty alcohols and sugars, ethoxylated and propoxylated alkylphenols, sulfonates, phosphate esters, quarternaries, sulfosuccinates, and mixtures thereof, have been found to be useful in admixture with the acid treating solution.

DRAWINGS AND OPERATING EXAMPLES

[0019] Fig. 1 is a schematic of a laboratory test system illustrating the method of this invention.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a diagram of a field system for cleaning a potable water distribution system.

[0021] With reference to Fig. 1, a laboratory test system is shown to evaluate the removal of scale and sediment by acidic treating solutions from a test pipe sample taken from a water distribution system. This system includes a 56.8 L (15 gallon) acidic treating solution reservoir 5, submersible acidic treating solution circulation pump 6 rated at 4543 L/h (1200 gallons per hour) 2.54 cm (1") inlet transfer line 7, drain valve 8, heavy rubber diaphragm seals 9 for the ends of the test pipe specimen 10, 2.54 cm (1") outlet transfer line 11 and the treating solution 12. The test pipe specimen 10 is mounted at about a 30 degree angle so that the test solution will contact essentially the entire inner pipe surface to be treated.

[0022] A laboratory test, for example, was run on a four foot section of 15.2 cm (6") diameter pipe which had been removed from a potable water distribution system that had been used for over 40 years. The scale on the inside of the pipe consisted of nodules of up to 2.5 to 3.8 cm (1 to 1½ inches) in height covering 100% of the inside pipe surface which had substantially reduced the opening inside the pipe for water to flow. Analysis of the scale indicated it consisted of primarily iron with some calcium, magnesium and manganese in the form oxides, hydroxides and carbonates along with fine mineral acid insoluble solids and some "biomass". This is typical scale associated with sulfate-reducing and iron bacteria along with the associated corrosion.

[0023] About 37.85 L (10 gallons) of a 12.5% aqueous inhibited hydrochloric/glycolic acid solution containing a penetrating agent was placed in the reservoir 5 and circulated through the test pipe 10 for a period of 24 hours. After 2 hours of circulation, particles of the scale were breaking loose and could be heard in the outlet transfer line 11 and observed entering the reservoir 5. The color of the treating solution also became increasingly darker with circulation time. After 24 hours the circulation was stopped and the system was drained of the treating solution. The diaphragms 9 were removed and the inside of the test pipe was observed to be about 80% cleaned of scale and sediment solids.

[0024] On treating the test pipe with a second identical treating solution for a period of 21.5 hours, about 80% of the interior surface of the test pipe was observed to still be covered over with a scale and/or sediment that was a soft and paste-like semi-solid which contained some grit and could be easily removed with a probe. The remaining scale nodules had been substantially reduced in size since the end of the first treatment. It was concluded that the second treatment would probably not be necessary if a high pressure water flush was employed to remove the insoluble soft sediment which had coated the remaining scale nodules after the first treatment.

[0025] With reference to Fig. 2, a field equipment and system diagram is shown which may be employed in the cleaning of a potable water pipe distribution system. Two 1.89 kl (500 gallon) treating solution reservoir tanks 20 and 21 along with a 6.3 L/s (100 gallon per minute) circulation pump 22 and sight glass 23 are mounted on a flat bed truck (not shown). In this example, a 6.4 cm (2½) inlet pipe 24 is secured to a 198 m (650 foot) section of 15.2 cm (6") water distribution pipe 25 after the main shut off valve 26. The fire hydrant 27 and fire hose 28 were employed for the acidic treating solution return to tanks 20 and 21.

[0026] The section of pipe 25 to be treated was isolated by closing off the two water main shut-off valves 26 and 29 along with all service line valves, typically 30 and 31. With valves 32 and 33 closed, 3785 L (1000 gallons) of acidic treating solution was prepared in tanks 20 and 21. With the coupling 34 open, the treating solution was allowed to enter the system by opening valves 33 and 35 and turning on the circulation pump 22. The pH of the water coming from the open coupling was then monitored until a decrease was noted which indicated the acid treating solution had displaced the water in the section to be treated. The circulation pump 22 was turned off and the coupling 34 connected. Valves 36 and 37 were then closed and valve 32 opened for circulation. The circulation pump 22 was then started again for the treatment period. Valve 37 was closed to allow for scale solids to accumulate in tank 20 while the treating solution could overflow at 38 to tank 21 which reduces the chances of plugging during treatment.

[0027] The treating solution was then circulated in the system of Fig. 2 for a period of 5 hours. Observation of the treating solution through the sight glass 23 showed an increasingly darker discoloration with time. At the end of the treatment period, the circulation pump 22 was turned off, and valves 33 and 35 were closed. The main shut-off valve 26 was slowly opened and fresh water allowed to enter the system until the treating solution was displaced as noted when the tanks 20 and 21 were full. Valve 32 was then closed. The fire hose 28 was then disconnected from the fire hydrant 27 and the main shut-off valve 26 opened full to allow high pressure flushing of the treated water main 25. As the flush water emerged from the fire hydrant 27 it was dark in color with considerable scale and sediment solids. Flushing continued until the flush water was clean of solids for a period of time prior to putting the treated section of the water distribution system back into service.

[0028] The flow rate through the fire hydrant 27 prior to treatment had been determined by a Pitot Gauge to be 588 gallons per minute. After treatment, the flow rate was determined to be 790 gallons per minute. This was an increase of 34.5%.

[0029] Also, improved mechanical operations of the hydrants and valves of the system were achieved. The flow of cleaning solution may also be reversed in the system to further improve cleaning efficiency. The above cleaning solutions met the requirements of the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF International, Ann Arbor, Michigan), Standard 60 for potable water distribution systems.

[0030] Other examples of cleaning solutions may be employed as follows:

Preblend Ingredients	% by wt
31% Hydrochloric acid in water	87.14 +/- 2%
70% Glycolic acid in water	5.27 +/- 0.3%
40% Sodium xylene sulfonate in water	2.06 +/- 0.2%
Triethanolamine and diethanolamine mixture (85%/15%)	2.96 +/- 0.2%
Water	2.57 +/- 0.2%

[0031] In a preferred form of the invention, the above preblended cleaning solution is used in an amount of about 12.5% by weight with water in the field for cleaning an underground potable water distribution pipe system. However, more generally, the solution may be employed in amounts of from about 5 to about 50% by weight with water in the field, depending upon such variables as the amount of scale, pipe volume to be cleaned, circulation time and other factors. The amounts of anhydrous chemicals in a broader range of ingredients are about 1% to 27% HCl, 0.1% to 4% glycolic acid, 0.04% to 1% sodium xylene sulfonate and about 0.1% to 2.5 % of the triethanolamine/diethanolomine mixture (hereinafter referred to as "TEA").

[0032] It should be understood that the above chemical ingredients may be blended in the field for cleaning the underground potable pipes, for example, hydrochloric acid may be added to a concentrate of the glycolic acid, sodium xylene sulfonate and TEA. In the potable water distribution systems, an underground section of the pipe to be cleaned is sealed off from the rest of the system. As illustrated above in Fig. 2, the cleaning solution is then introduced from a tank into the pipe section and, if water is in that section of pipe, it is removed upon the introduction of the cleaning solution. After the cleaning solution has been introduced into the pipe section, circulation of the cleaning solution through the underground pipe is initiated for a sufficient period of time for solubilization, loosening and/or suspension of the scale and sediments.

[0033] In the above preblends, a soap having a 1:1 stoichiometric equivalent of the acid (HCl and glycolic acid) and TEA base is formed with an excess of the acid. This composition has been found to work effectively in the field for the removal of scale associated with sulfate-reducing and iron bacteria consisting primarily of iron oxide, biomass and sediment. These 1:1 soaps have also been described in the above referred to co-pending Application WO92/20629 and the disclosure thereof is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. These soaps may be more generally categorized as soaps of mineral and/or organic acids and a base such as an amine and ammonia. Further examples of these soaps include 1:1 soaps of TEA and glycolic acid (also known as hydroxyacetic acid); TEA and acetic acid; TEA and citric acid; TEA and benzoic acid; hydrochloric acid and ammonia; sulfuric acid and ammonia; nitric acid and ammonia; TEA and hydrochloric acid; TEA and sulfuric acid; TEA and nitric acid; ammonia and glycolic acid; ammonia and benzoic acid; and ammonia and p-toluenesulfonic acid. Accordingly, it will be understood that other cleaning solutions of the acidic type employing 1:1 soaps may be employed to effectively solubilize, loosen and/or suspend the scale and sediment from the potable pipe in accordance with the principles of this invention.

[0034] In view of the above detailed description, other method variations to clean domestic and industrial water distribution systems, like houses, hotels, plants, offices, etc., will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art. The method is especially advantageous in cleaning underground potable water distribution systems having scale associated with sulfate-reducing and iron bacteria consisting primarily of iron oxide, biomass and sediment.

Claims

1. A method of cleaning a potable water distribution pipe system of scale comprising providing a reservoir (20,21) for containing an aqueous cleaning solution for the removal of the scale, circulating the cleaning solution from the reservoir (20,21) through a section (25) of pipe in the system and returning the solution to the reservoir (20,21) for the removal of the scale, characterised in that the aqueous cleaning solution is suitable for removal of scale associated with sulfate-reducing and iron bacteria consisting primarily of iron oxide, biomass and sediment from inside surfaces of the water distribution system, in that the section of pipe (25) is an underground section of a distribution pipe system and in that the method includes sealing off the underground section (25) for circulation of cleaning solution therethrough.

2. A method as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the pipe section (25) is sealed between two fire hydrants (27) and the cleaning solution is circulated by connecting one of the fire hydrants (27) to the reservoir (20,21) for pumping the cleaning solution therethrough.

3. A method as claimed in either Claim 1 or Claim 2 comprising flushing the system with clean water after the removal of the spent cleaning solution.

4. A method as claimed in any preceding claim comprising flushing the system with high pressure water for the removal of any spent cleaning solution, scale and/or sediment.

5. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the aqueous treatment solution is acidic.

6. A method as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the acid solution contains further additives selected from the group consisting of acid inhibitors, chelating agents, surfactants, penetrating agents and dispensing agents, and mixtures thereof to assist in the removal of scale and sediment.

7. A method as claimed in either Claim 5 or Claim 6 wherein the acid is selected from the group consisting of mineral and organic acids and mixtures thereof.

8. A method as claimed in Claim 7 wherein the mineral acid is selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric, nitric, phosphoric, polyphosphoric, hydrofluoric, boric, sulfuric, and sulfurous and mixtures thereof.

9. A method as claimed in either Claim 7 or Claim 8 wherein the organic acid is selected from the group consisting of formic, acetic, propionic, citric, glycolic, lactic, tartaric, polyacrylic, succinic, p-toluenesulfonic, and mixtures thereof.

10. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the cleaning solution is a mixture of hydrochloric acid, glycolic acid, an alkanolamine and a surfactant.

11. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the cleaning solution contains a soap having a 1:1 stoichiometric equivalent of an acid and a base wherein the acid is selected from the group consisting of a mineral acid and an organic acid and the base is selected from a group consisting of an amine and ammonia, where an effective amount of free acid is present in the solution to react with the scale.

12. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the reservoir is truck mounted for makeup, storage and disposal of cleaning solution.

13. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the pipe distribution system is a domestic or industrial water system.

14. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the aqueous treatment solution meets the requirements of the US National Sanitation Foundation Standard 60 for drinking water treatment chemicals for use in potable water distribution systems.

Ansprüche

1. Verfahren zum Reinigen eines Trinkwasser-Rohrverteilungssystems von Ablagerungen, welches die folgenden Schritte enthält:

Bereitstellen eines Reservoirs (20, 21), das eine wässrige Reinigungslösung zum Entfernen der Ablagerungen aufnimmt,

Umwäzlen der Reinigungslösung aus dem Reservoir (20, 21) durch einen Rohrabschnitt (25) in dem System, und

Zurückführen der Lösung zu dem Reservoir (20, 21), um die Ablagerungen zu entfernen,

dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die wässrige Reinigungslösung für das Entfernen von Ablagerungen geeignet ist, in denen sulfatreduzierende Bakterien sowie Eisenbakterien vorkommen und die hauptsächlich aus Eisenoxid, Biomasse und Sedimenten von den Innenoberflächen des Wasserverteilsystems bestehen, daß der Rohrabschnitt (25) ein unter der Erde befindlicher Abschnitt eines Rohrverteilungssystems ist, und daß das Verfahren das Abdichten des unter der Erde befindlichen Abschnittes (25) zum Umwälzen der Reinigungsflüssigkeit darin enthält.

2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1,
bei dem der Rohrabschnitt (25) zwischen zwei Feuerhydranten (27) abgedichtet wird und bei dem die Reinigungsflüssigkeit umgewälzt wird, indem einer der Feuerhydranten (27) mit dem Reservoir (20, 21) verbunden wird, um Reinigungsflüssigkeit durch den Rohrabschnitt hindurchzupumpen.

3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1 oder 2,
das den Schritt des Spülens des Systems mit klarem Wasser nach dem Entfernen der verbrauchten Reinigungsflüssigkeit enthält.

4. Verfahren nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche,
das den Schritt des Spülens des Systems mit Hochdruckwasser zum Entfernen der Reste von verbrauchter Reinigungslösung, Ablagerungen und Sedimenten enthält.

5. Verfahren nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche,
bei dem die wässrige Behandlungslösung sauer ist.

6. Verfahren nach Anspruch 5,
bei dem die saure Lösung weiterhin Additive enthält, die aus der Gruppe ausgewählt sind, welche aus Säurehemmern, Chelatbildnern, oberflächenaktiven Mitteln, Penetriermitteln und Dispergiermitteln sowie Gemischen davon besteht, um das Entfernen der Ablagerungen und Sedimente zu unterstützen.

7. Verfahren nach Anspruch 5 oder 6,
bei dem die Säure aus der Gruppe ausgewählt wird, die aus anorganischen und organischen Säuren sowie Gemischen davon besteht.

8. Verfahren nach Anspruch 7,
bei dem die anorganische Säure aus der folgenden Gruppe ausgewählt wird: Chlorwasserstoffsäure, Salpetersäure, Phosphorsäure, Polyphosphorsäure, Fluorwasserstoffsäure, Borsäure, Schwefelsäure und schweflige Säuren sowie Gemische davon.

9. Verfahren nach Anspruch 7 oder 8,
bei dem die organische Säure aus der folgenden Gruppe ausgewählt wird: Ameisensäure, Essigsäure, Propionsäure, Zitronensäure, Glykolsäure, Milchsäure, Weinsäure, Polyacrylsäure, Bernsteinsäure, p-Toluolsulfonsäure sowie Gemische davon.

10. Verfahren nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche,
bei dem die Reinigungslösung ein Gemisch aus Chlorwasserstoffsäure, Glykolsäure, einem Alkanolamin und einem oberflächenaktiven Mittel ist.

11. Verfahren nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche,
bei dem die Reinigungslösung eine Seife, die eine Säure und eine Base im stöchiometrischen Äquivalenzverhältnis 1:1 enthält, wobei die Säure aus der Gruppe ausgewählt wird, die aus anorganischen Säuren und organischen Säuren besteht, und wobei die Base aus einer Gruppe ausgewählt wird, die aus einem Amin und Ammoniak besteht, wo eine wirksame Menge an freier Säure in der Lösung vorhanden ist, um mit den Ablagerungen zu reagieren.

12. Verfahren nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche,
bei dem das Reservoir auf einem Lastkraftwagen angeordnet ist, um die Reinigungslösung nachzufüllen, aufzubewahren und abzugeben.

13. Verfahren nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche,
bei dem das Rohrverteilsystem ein Haushalts- oder Industriewasserverteilsystem ist.

14. Verfahren nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche,
bei dem die wässrigen Behandlungslösung die Anforderungen der US National Sanitation Foundation Standard 60 für Trinkwasserbehandlungschemikalien zum Einsatz in Trinkwasserverteilsystemen erfüllt.

Revendications

1. Procédé pour débarrasser du tartre un circuit de distribution d'eau potable comprenant les étapes consistant à :

- mettre en place un réservoir (20, 21) destiné à contenir une solution aqueuse de nettoyage pour éliminer le tartre,

- faire passer cette solution du réservoir (20, 21) au circuit par un tronçon de tuyau (25) et

- faire revenir la solution au réservoir (20, 21) pour éliminer le tartre,

   caractérisé en ce que la solution aqueuse de nettoyage convenant à l'élimination du tartre est associée à des bactéries réductrices de sulfates et des bactéries du fer principalement composée d'oxyde de fer, de biomasse et de sédiments provenant des surfaces internes du circuit de distribution d'eau, en ce que le tronçon de tuyau (25) est un tronçon souterrain du circuit et en ce que le procédé comprend le scellement de ce tronçon souterrain pour assurer la circulation de la solution de nettoyage par celui-ci.

2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le tronçon de tuyau (25) est scellé entre deux bouches à incendie (27) et la solution de nettoyage est mise en circulation en reliant une de ces bouches (27) au réservoir (20, 21) pour pomper la solution de nettoyage par cette bouche.

3. Procédé selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2, comprenant le rinçage du circuit à l'eau pure après élimination de la solution de nettoyage usée.

4. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant le rinçage du circuit avec une eau sous haute pression pour éliminer toute solution de nettoyage usée, tout tartre et/ou sédiment.

5. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la solution aqueuse de traitement est acide.

6. Procédé selon la revendication 5, dans lequel la solution acide contient en outre des additifs choisis dans le groupe composé d'inhibiteurs de l'acide, d'agents de chélation, d'agents de pénétration et d'agents de dispersion et de leurs mélanges pour faciliter l'élimination du tarte et des sédiments.

7. Procédé selon la revendication 5 ou la revendication 6, dans lequel l'acide est choisi dans le groupe composé des acides minéraux et organiques et de leurs mélanges.

8. Procédé selon la revendication 7, dans lequel l'acide minéral et choisi dans le groupe composé des acides chlorhydrique, nitrique, phosphorique, polyphosphorique, hydrofluorique, borique, sulfurique et sulfureux et de leurs mélanges.

9. Procédé selon la revendication 7 ou la revendication 8, dans lequel l'acide organique est choisi dans le groupe composé des acides formique, acétique, propionique, citrique, glycolique, lactique, tartrique, polyacrylique, succinique, p-toluène-sulfonique et leurs mélanges.

10. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la solution de nettoyage est un mélange d'acide chlorhydrique, d'acide glycolique, d'une alcanolamine et d'un surfactant.

11. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la solution de nettoyage comprend un savon ayant un acide et une base dans des proportions stoechiométriques équivalentes de 1:1, l'acide est choisi dans le groupe composé d'un acide minéral et d'un acide organique et la base choisie dans un groupe composé d'une amine et d'ammoniaque, une quantité suffisante d'acide libre se trouve en solution pour réagir avec le tartre.

12. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le réservoir est placé sur un camion pour constituer, stocker et éliminer la solution de nettoyage.

13. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le circuit de distribution est un système domestique ou industriel d'alimentation en eau.

14. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la solution aqueuse de traitement répond aux normes imposées par le US National Sanitation Foundation Standard 60 pour les produits chimiques de traitement de l'eau potable utilisés dans les circuits de distribution de cette eau.

Drawing