Patent ID: 8398781

Claim:
A method of cleaning soils from industrial equipment having a heat exchanger using a CIP process, the method comprising: (a) applying an acidic pre-treatment solution to the soil, the solution comprising 0.25 to 1.5 wt. % acid; 0.01 to 1 wt. % oxidant; and 0.05 to 10 wt. % of a penetrant selected from the group consisting of alcohols, short chain ethoxylated alcohols, phenol, organic solvents, ethoxylated alcohols, glycol ethers, and surfactants; (b) allowing the pre-treatment solution to partially remain on the soil for a period of time sufficient to facilitate soil removal; (c) circulating a first heated solution through the equipment, the solution comprising about 0.5 wt. % of an alkaline detergent comprising NaOH; wherein there is not a rinse step between applying the pre-treatment solution and applying the first solution; and (d) rinsing the equipment.