Dissolving silicate scale

Abstract

The present disclosure includes arrangements, systems, and methods for removing mineral deposits. Disclosed is an aqueous solution within a container, with the container containing mineral deposits. The aqueous solution submerges the mineral deposits and may include at least one acid, or a combination of an organic acid and an inorganic acid in percentages that allow the replacement of toxic dangerous chemical ingredients. Disclosed also is a cathode and an anode within the container that are at least partially submerged within the aqueous solution. A direct current power source is configured to direct a voltage across the cathode and the anode to generate an electrical charge gradient within the aqueous solution.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for removing mineral deposits, the system comprising:
 a container containing the mineral deposits;   an aqueous solution within the container and submerging the mineral deposits, the aqueous solution including at least one acid;   a cathode within the container and at least partially submerged within the aqueous solution;   an anode within the container and at least partially submerged within the aqueous solution; and   a power source configured to direct a voltage across the cathode and the anode to generate an electrical charge gradient within the aqueous solution.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one acid is citric acid, phosphoric acid, or a combination of citric acid and phosphoric acid. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one acid is the citric acid, and a concentration of the citric acid is 7 to 35 percent by volume of the aqueous solution. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one acid is the phosphoric acid, and a concentration of the phosphoric acid is 7 to 45 percent by volume of the aqueous solution. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one acid is the citric acid and the phosphoric acid, and a concentration of the citric acid is 7 to 35 percent by volume of the aqueous solution and a concentration of the phosphoric acid is 3 to 8 percent by volume of the aqueous solution. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the power source is a direct current power source that applies 8 to 36 volts across the cathode and the anode. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the power source applies 12 volts across the cathode and the anode, and the cathode is about 150 millimeters from the mineral deposits. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the power source applies 24 volts across the cathode and the anode, and the cathode is about 250 millimeters from the mineral deposits. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the power source applies 36 volts across the cathode and the anode, and the cathode is about 360 millimeters from the mineral deposits. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cathode includes a conductor surrounded by an electrically porous covering. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the conductor is formed of graphite, gold, platinum, or titanium steel. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the electrically porous covering is formed of an inert material. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the anode includes a conductor surrounded by an electrically porous insulating covering. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the electrically porous insulating covering is electrical insulating plastic, fiber, or ceramic. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the anode is located at a minimum of about 15% farther away from the mineral deposit than the cathode. 
     
     
         16 . A method for removing mineral deposits, the method comprising:
 providing an aqueous solution within a container containing the mineral deposits such that the aqueous solution submerges the mineral deposits, the aqueous solution including at least one acid;   providing at least one cathode within the container and at least partially submerged within the aqueous solution;   providing at least one anode within the container and at least partially submerged within the aqueous solution; and   applying a voltage across the cathode and the anode such that an electrical charge gradient forms within the aqueous solution.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein each cathode of the at least one cathode includes a first conductor surrounded by a first electrically porous covering, each anode of the at least one anode includes a second conductor surrounded by a second electrically porous covering, and the first electrically porous covering and the second electrically porous covering electrically isolate the first conductor and the second conductor from the container to promote formation of the electrical charge gradient within the aqueous solution. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising providing a direct current power source for applying the voltage across the at least one cathode and the at least one anode. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the voltage is 8 to 36 volts. 
     
     
         20 . A arrangement for removing mineral deposits, the arrangement comprising:
 an aqueous solution within a container, the container containing the mineral deposits, the aqueous solution submerging the mineral deposits and including citric acid, phosphoric acid, or a combination thereof;   a cathode within the container and at least partially submerged within the aqueous solution;   an anode within the container and at least partially submerged within the aqueous solution; and   a direct current power source configured to direct a voltage across the cathode and the anode to generate an electrical charge gradient within the aqueous solution.