Patent ID: 6964275
Filing Date: 2005-11-15
Classification: B08B,B63B,B63G,C02F

Abstract:
1. A method for chemically cleaning a countermeasure washdown system containing marine scale on board ships comprising isolating a section of piping in the countermeasure washdown system for the delivery of a cleaning solution, wherein said section includes a plurality of washdown spray nozzles and aluminum piping, inactivating said spray nozzles by removing and replacing them with temporary fittings, configuring the isolated section into a closed loop by using connectors between (a) an end of the section and a manifold, (b) the manifold and a pump, and (c) the pump and a source of cleaning solution, wherein the connectors comprise a plurality of hoses which connect said temporary fittings to said manifold for circulation of cleaning solution through the isolated section in said closed loop, introducing an acid cleaning solution having a pH of about 2 to about 2.2 into the section, monitoring and maintaining said pH during cleaning of said section to effectively produce the cleaned section without damage to the aluminum piping, circulating the cleaning solution through the section in said closed loop to remove said marine scale and sediment from the interior of the section, removing the cleaning solution containing the marine scale and sediment from the section to provide a cleaned interior section, and restoring the cleaned section with the system.