Process for dissolving and removing scale from aqueous systems

摘要

This invention relates to a process of dissolving and removing silicate scale and particularly magnesium silicate scale and sludge from various aqueous systems, particularly boiler water and desalination systems by adding to the water effective amounts of at least one water-soluble phosphinocarboxylic acid. These polyphosphinocarboxylic acids and the salts thereof are added to the water in the aqueous system in amounts ranging up to about 50 thousand parts by weight per million and preferably in amounts ranging up to about 2000 parts by weight per million parts by weight of water either alone or in combination with at least one organic dispersant selected from the group consisting of nonionic and anionic dispersants.