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US 2006/0217622 A1Published application
Method and system to stabilize and preserve iron artefacts
AssigneeClemson University
InventorMichael Drews
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method, system and device to use a dilute alkaline solution held at sub-critical temperature and pressure conditions to remove rapidly chloride ions from corroded iron artifacts.
Claims10
A method to remove rapidly chloride ions from corroded, iron, archeological artifacts comprising the steps of:
- identifying the artifact from which chloride ions are to be removed;
- recovering said artifact;
- pre-treating said recovered artifact by washing to remove debris and any concretion, and positioning said artifact in a container for treatment;
- preparing a dilute alkaline solution;
- next,
- filling said container with an adequate volume of said dilute alkaline solution;
- then
- pressurizing said container to a predetermined level to maintain said dilute alkaline solution at a sub-critical phase;
- then,
- heating said dilute alkaline solution in said pressurized cylinder to at or above 130C and maintaining said pressure to hold said dilute alkaline solution at a sub-critical phase;
- circulating said alkaline solution in said container to ensure maximum contact with said artifact for a period of time adequate to remove the chloride ions;
- and
- cooling and discharging said alkaline solution and
- recovering said artifact from said container.
11 more elements
A system adapted to remove chloride ions from metal artifacts comprising:
- a solution component, said solution component being a dilute alkaline solution;
- a treatment device comprising a high pressure cylinder in which artifacts to be treated are positioned, said high pressure cylinder being capable of holding said dilute alkaline solution under pressure, and said high pressure cylinder being encased in by a heating means such that said dilute alkaline solution is held under pressure before it is heated and remains under pressure during treatment of the artifacts;
- and a means to agitate continuously said dilute alkaline solution during treatment of said artifacts;
- backflow control means and plumbing adapted to fill and empty said high pressure cylinder and monitoring equipment for temperature and pressure conditions during treatment of artifacts.
1 more element
A device to treat metal artifacts by removing Cl−1 ions with an alkaline solution comprising:
- A high pressure cylinder with a length, a diameter, a distal end, and a proximal end, said high pressure cylinder being in functional communication with a with a high pressure pump and associated plumbing, said high pressure pump being adapted to deliver a dilute alkaline solution to said high pressure cylinder under pressure from 100 to 3,000 psi, preferably from 600 to 800 psi and maintaining pressure in said high pressure cylinder;
- a back pressure regulator means functionally connected to said high pressure cylinder and said high pressure pump;
- a heating jacket functionally connected to said high pressure cylinder such that said heating jacket is capable of heating said dilute alkaline solution under pressure in said high pressure cylinder;
- and
- means to drain said high pressure cylinder.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.