Methods, compositions and apparatus for cleaning pipes
US6450182B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 10, 2001 |
| Grant date | Sep 17, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 10, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC11D2111/20
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention cleans contaminants from pipes. The first step may be pulling a vacuum on the pipe to be cleaned. The pipe is then filled with a solvent, which is preferably a fluorocarbon solvent. After the pipe is filled with solvent, a cleaning solution is pumped at a high velocity through the pipe. The cleaning solution preferably comprises the fluorocarbon solvent, and a fluorosurfactant. The pipe is then rinsed with solvent. A particle counter is used to determine whether the solvent rinse contains an acceptably low number of particles. The solvent is then blown out of the pipe by a gas, such as dry air. A vacuum is then pulled on the pipe. Subsequently, a hot dry gas is pumped through the pipe to evaporate and remove any remaining solvent. The gas is preferably hot, dry air. The gas exiting from the pipe is then checked to confirm that it contains an acceptably low level of solvent vapor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.