Patent ID: 6020293
Filing Date: 2000-02-01
Classification: C02F,C11D

Abstract:
A method of removing or preventing bacterial cellulose deposits in an aqueous system comprising:(a) forming an aqueous solution by adding together an enzymatic detergent drain cleaner consisting essentially of:(1) about 0.015% to about 20% by weight of an acid cellulase enzyme having hydrolytic activity specific to .beta.-glucosidic bonds;(2) about 1% to about 70% by weight of a water soluble carbonate salt;(3) about 1% to about 70% by weight of a water soluble acid that reacts in an aqueous medium at standard temperature and pressure with the carbonate salt to form at least 100 ppm of carbon dioxide that dissolves in the aqueous medium;(4) about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of a surfactant; and(5) about 0.05% to about 5% by weight of a thickening agent, with an aqueous medium; and(b) contacting an aqueous system in recognized need of such removal or prevention with the aqueous solution for a sufficient time to at least partially hydrolyze the bacterial cellulose, whereby the partially hydrolyzed bacterial cellulose is removed from said aqueous system.