Control of sugar evaporator scale using sugar or sugar moieties
AssigneeEcolab USA Inc.
InventorsKim R. Smith, Peter J. Fernholz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods of cleaning sugar evaporators with a cleaning composition comprising a sugar or sugar-moiety containing compound are disclosed. The methods are capable of improved scale and fouling removal from treated surfaces, including scale containing calcium oxalate, calcium dihydrogen phosphate, silica and/or other components from sugar evaporators. The methods reduce time required for scale removal without the need for highly alkaline cleaning compositions, elevated temperatures and/or mechanical force applied to the scale.
Claims20
A method of removing scale from a hard surface comprising:
- applying a cleaning composition to a scale from a hard surface in need of scale removal, wherein the scale contains sugar and at least one soil selected from the group consisting of calcium oxalate, calcium dihydrogen phosphate, silica and combinations thereof;
- and
- contacting the scale with the cleaning composition for an amount of time to dissolve the sugar in the scale,
- wherein the cleaning composition comprises a monosaccharide, disaccharide, or combination thereof.
A method of removing scale from a sugar evaporator comprising:
- applying a cleaning composition to a surface of a sugar evaporator in need of scale removal, wherein the scale contains sugar and at least one soil selected from the group consisting of calcium oxalate, calcium dihydrogen phosphate, silica and combinations thereof;
- and
- contacting the scale with the cleaning composition for an amount of time to dissolve the sugar in the scale,
- wherein the cleaning composition comprises a monosaccharide, disaccharide, or combination thereof.
A cleaning use solution composition capable of dissolving a solid scale source comprising:
- from about 0.5 wt-% to about 5 wt-% of a monosaccharide, disaccharide, or combination thereof,
- wherein said monosaccharide and/or disaccharide is selected from the group consisting of glucose, sucrose, fructose, and combination thereof;
- from about 0.5 wt-% to about 5 wt-% of a calcium chelant, wherein the chelant is an aminocarboxylic acid, polyacrylate, carboxylate, and/or hydroxyacid salt;
- and water,
- wherein said cleaning composition has a pH above about 6;
- wherein said cleaning composition dissolves sugar from a scale containing sugar and at least one soil selected from the group consisting of calcium oxalate, calcium dihydrogen phosphate, silica and combinations thereof.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.