METHOD FOR REMOVING ALKALINE SULFATE SCALE

摘要

The present invention relates to the use of low frequency sonic energy in the sonic frequency range for enhancing the dissolution of alkaline earth metal scales using a scale-removing solvent comprising an aqueous alkaline solution having a pH of about 8 to about 14 and containing EDTA or DTPA and a catalyst or synergist, preferably an oxalate anion. When the scale-rem-oving solvent is contacted with a surface containing a scale deposit while simultaneously transmitting low frequency sonic energy through the solvent, substantially more scale is dissolved at a faster rate than previously possible. The frequency of the sonic energy is within the range of 1.5 to 6.5 kHz and preferably 1.5 kHz.