Method and compound for removing flora from sewer lines

Abstract

This invention relates to the application of herbicides in sewer lines to kill tree roots inside the lines and preventing re-growth into the lines for years after application. It relates to the discovery that latex polymers, organosilicone surfactants, deposition agents and other surfactants can be used to “glue” the herbicides to pipe surfaces. This discovery allows the use of plant killing herbicides to treat roots in sewer lines—killing them—which results in their subsequent removal by decay and erosion processes. It also allows for the use of the herbicides to prevent re-growth back into the sewer lines by applying the herbicides in a compound which adheres to the sewer line surfaces and forms a long term coating on the pipe and joint surfaces where the roots might attempt to grow back in. The compound resists erosion and washing away preventing long term root re-infestations in the sewer lines.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A root killing herbicide and formulation which may be applied to any plant root parts and sewer pipe surfaces and joints, in any application process in which it is applied to and adheres to the roots, pipe surfaces, and joints thereby effecting root kill and preventing new root growth into the pipe long term, comprising;
 a herbicide   a dry acid   a carbonate   a Latex polymer binder   a organosilicone adjuvant   a seed crop oil   a surfactant mixed with said alkali carbonate   a dry acid mixed with the above whereby foam is produced and used to distribute said herbicide onto roots, pipe surfaces and joints.   
     
     
         2 . A root killing herbicide formulation of  claim 1  which aids and improves said herbicide in deposition by bonding, spreading, absorption and translocation into target roots in sewer lines. 
     
     
         3 . A method of using said root killing herbicide formulation of  claim 1  where it is applied in much smaller amounts than other methods previously used, to kill roots and prevent root re-growth by not having to fill all pipe volume in sewer lines 
     
     
         4 . A method of delivering said root killing herbicide formulation of  claim 1  in which equipment used in the trade to apply in sewer lines may be;
 sprayers 
 foamers 
 root removal cables with brushes or rollers attached 
 
     
     
         5 . A method of using said root killing herbicide formulation of  claim 1  in sewer lines in which said formula causes said herbicide to adhere or bond to pipe surfaces, joints and roots forming a long lasting coating which resists erosion or wash off thereby maintaining long term prevention of root re-growth into said pipe. 
     
     
         6 . The root killing herbicide formulation of  claims 1  and  2  in which the herbicide is Dichlobenil (2,6 dichlorobenzonitrile) 
     
     
         7 . The root killing herbicide formulation of  claims 1  and  2  in which the dry acid is sulfamic acid 
     
     
         8 . The root killing herbicide formulation of  claims 1  and  2  in which the carbonate is sodium bicarbonate 
     
     
         9 . The root killing herbicide formulation of  claims 1  and  2  in which the latex polymer-binder is Synthetic Latex 
     
     
         10 . The root killing herbicide formulation of  claims 1  and  2  in which the latex polymer is the adjuvant “Bond” manufactured by Loveland products 
     
     
         11 . The root killing herbicide formulation of  claims 1  and  2  in which the organosilicone adjuvant is the adjuvant “Tactic” manufactured by Loveland industries 
     
     
         12 . The root killing herbicide formulation of  claims 1  and  2  in which the seed crop oil is soybean oil 
     
     
         13 . The root killing herbicide formulation of  claims 1  and  2  in which in which the surfactants are triethanolamine laurel sulfate and betaine group compounds 
     
     
         14 . The root killing herbicide formulation of  claims 1  and  2  in which the surfactants are TLS (triethanolamine) and B352 (Betaine group) manufactured by MFG Chemical. 
     
     
         15 . A method of killing and inhibiting growth of roots in sewer lines comprising: pouring, flushing or mechanically delivering a phytocidally effective quantity of the following compounds:
 a herbicide   a dry acid   a carbonate   a Latex polymer binder   a organosilicone adjuvant   a seed crop oil   a surfactant mixed with said alkali carbonate and said acid whereby foam is produced and used to distribute said herbicide onto roots, pipe surfaces and joints.   
     
     
         16 . The root killing herbicide formulation of  claim 15  in which the herbicide is Dichlobenil (2,6 dichlorobenzonitrile) 
     
     
         17 . The root killing herbicide formulation of  claim 15  in which the dry acid is sulfamic acid 
     
     
         18 . The root killing herbicide formulation of  claim 15  in which the carbonate is sodium bicarbonate 
     
     
         19 . The root killing herbicide formulation of  claim 15  in which the latex polymer-binder is Synthetic Latex 
     
     
         20 . The root killing herbicide formulation of  claim 15  in which the latex polymer is the adjuvant “Bond” manufactured by Loveland products 
     
     
         21 . The root killing herbicide formulation of  claim 15  in which the organosilicone adjuvant is the adjuvant “Tactic” manufactured by Loveland industries 
     
     
         22 . The root killing herbicide formulation of  claim 15  in which the seed crop oil is soybean oil 
     
     
         23 . The root killing herbicide formulation of  claim 15  in which in which the surfactants are triethanolamine laurel sulfate and betaine group compounds 
     
     
         24 . The root killing herbicide formulation of  claim 15  in which the surfactants are TLS (triethanolamine) and B352 (Betaine group) manufactured by MFG Chemical.