US4731124A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Application technique for the descaling of surfaces
Assignee: NUCLEAR ELECTRIC PLC
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Filing: 1984-08-31
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Granted: 1988-03-15
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Expires: 2004-08-31
Abstract
Abstract A method of applying a descaling reagent comprising a one-electron reducing agent which is a low oxidation state transition metal ion in combination with a complexing agent to a surface to be treated to descale the surface which method comprises: (i) maintaining a low oxidation state transition metal ion either in solution under an inert atmosphere in a container made of or lined with an inert material or as a solid salt under an inert atmosphere; (ii) preparing a solution of the complexing agent and removing oxygen therefrom; and (iii) mixing the ingredients from steps (i) and (ii) either in situ in contact with the surface to be treated, or mixing the ingredients from steps (i) and (ii) prior to application to the surface to be treated under conditions whereby no substantial decomposition of the so-formed reagent occurs.
Inventors
- 👤 David Bradbury
- 👤 Timothy Swan
- 👤 Michael G. Segal
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:23
CPC Classifications
C; C23; C23G; C23G1/00; C23G1/02; G; G21; G21F; G21F9/00; G21F9/001; G21F9/002; G21F9/004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
Method of applying a descaling reagent comprising a one-electron reducing agent which is a low oxidation state transition metal ion based on V II or Cr II in combination with a complexing agent to a surface to be treated to descale the surface which method comprises: (i) maintaining the low oxidation state transition metal ion either in solution under an inert atmosphere in a container made of or lined with an inert material or as a solid salt under an inert atmosphere; (ii) preparing a solution of the complexing agent and removing oxygen therefrom; and (iii) mixing the ingredients from steps (i) and (ii) either in situ in contact with the surface to be treated or mixing the ingredients from steps (i) and (ii) prior to application to the surface to be treated under conditions whereby no substantial decomposition of the so-formed reagent occurs.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
Method of applying a descaling reagent comprising a one-electron reducing agent which is a low oxidation state transition metal ion based on V II or Cr II in combination with a complexing agent to a surface to be treated to descale the surface which method comprises: (i) maintaining the low oxidation state transition metal ion either in solution under an inert atmosphere in a container made of or lined with an inert material or as a solid salt under an inert atmosphere; (ii) preparing a solution of the complexing agent and removing oxygen therefrom; and (iii) mixing the ingredients from steps (i) and (ii) either in situ in contact with the surface to be treated or mixing the ingredients from steps (i) and (ii) prior to application to the surface to be treated under conditions whereby no substantial decomposition of the so-formed reagent occurs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
Method as claimed in claim 1 wherein in step (iii) the solution of the complexing agent is contacted with the surface to be treated prior to the addition of the low oxidation state transition metal ion in solution to form the descaling reagent in situ.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
Method as claimed in claim 2 wherein in step (iii) the solution of the complexing agent and the V II or Cr II ion in solution are contacted simultaneously with the surface to be treated to form the descaling reagent in situ.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
Method as claimed in claim 2 wherein in step (iii) the solution of the complexing agent and the V II or Cr II ion in solution are mixed in a vessel made of or lined with an inert material prior to contacting the surface to be treated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
Method as claimed in claim 2 wherein in step (i) the one-electron reducing agent is maintained in a container made of or lined with glass or plastic.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
Method as claimed in claim 2 wherein in step (ii) oxygen is removed from the solution of the complexing agent by sparging with an inert gas or by the addition of hydrazine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
Method as claimed in claim 6 wherein the inert gas is nitrogen.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
Method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the complexing agent is ethylene diamine tetracetic acid, citric acid, picolinic acid, 2,2'-bipyridyl, histidine, nitrilotriacetic acid or 2,6-dicarboxy pyridine.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
Method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the reagent comprises a one-electron reducing agent based on V II and picolinic acid as the complexing agent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
Method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the reagent comprises a one-electron reducing agent based on Cr II and a complexing agent selected from bipyridyl or nitrilotriacetic acid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
Method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the concentration of the one-electron reducing agent is in the range of from 10 -3 to 2M.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
Method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the concentration of the one-electron reducing agent is in the range of from 10 -3 to 10 -2 M.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
Method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the molar concentration of the complexing agent is from 3 to 10 times the molar concentration of the one-electron reducing agent.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
Method as claimed in claim 2 wherein formate or acetate is present as a counterion at a molar concentration of the one-electron reducing agent.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-03-15 | 1991-09-14 | 1992-03-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-03-15 | 1995-09-14 | 1996-03-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-03-15 | 1999-09-14 | 2000-03-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |