Gel composition for cleaning pipelines and pipe-networks and the use thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a gel composition comprising 0.6 to 2.5 weight percent of guar gum, 0.01 to 0.05 weight percent of boric acid, 0.003 to 0.007 weight percent of a base, 2.5 to 4.5 weight percent of a short carbon chain alcohol, optionally 0.01 to 0.5 weight percent of additives and the necessary amount of water to reach 100% weight. The invention covers a method for producing the gel composition and the use thereof.

Claims

1. A gel composition comprising 0.6 to 2.5 weight percent of guar gum, 0.01 to 0.05 weight percent of boric acid, 0.003 to 0.007 weight percent of a base, 2.5 to 4.5 weight percent of an alcohol containing one to four carbon atoms, optionally 0.01 to 0.5 weight percent of additives and the necessary amount of water to reach 100% weight.

2. The gel composition according to claim 1, wherein the base is NaOH.

3. The gel composition according to claim 1, wherein the alcohol is ethanol.

4. The gel composition according to claim 1 in the form of a pushing gel comprising 1.9 to 2.1 weight percent of guar gum, 0.03 to 0.035 weight percent of boric acid, 0.0053 to 0.0055 weight percent of a base, 3.6 to 3.8 weight percent of an alcohol containing one to four carbon atoms and the necessary amount of water to reach 100% weight.

5. The gel composition according to claim 1 in the form of an intermediate gel comprising 1.32 to 1.37 weight percent of guar gum, 0.03 to 0.033 weight percent of boric acid, 0.0053 to 0.0055 weight percent of a base, 3.6 to 3.8 weight percent of an alcohol containing one to four carbon atoms, optionally 0.01 to 0.5 weight percent of additives and the necessary amount of water to reach 100% weight.

6. The gel composition according to claim 1 in the form of a pick-up gel comprising 1.05 to 1.1 weight percent of guar gum, 0.03 to 0.035 weight percent of boric acid, 0.0053 to 0.0055 weight percent of a base, 3.65 to 3.85 weight percent of an alcohol containing one to four carbon atoms, optionally 0.01 to 0.5 weight percent of additives and the necessary amount of water to reach 100% weight.

7. A method of producing the gel composition according to claim 1, which comprises (a) adding guar gum to an alcohol containing one to four carbon atoms, (b) mixing it with aqueous solution of boric acid, (c) adding the aqueous solution of a base, (d) optionally adding one or more additives, and (e) diluting it with water to reach the required concentration.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the mixture obtained in step (a) is stirred for 8 minutes at 60-61 rpm, then for 7 minutes at 85-90 rpm, the mixture obtained in step (b) is stirred for 5 minutes at 90-100 rpm, the mixture obtained in step (c) is stirred for 3 minutes at 30 rpm, and the mixture obtained in step (e) is stirred for 2 minutes at 30 rpm.

9. Gel composition according to claim 1 for use in cleaning pipelines and pipe-networks.

10. A method for cleaning pipelines and pipe-networks, said method comprising applying the gel composition according to claim 1 to the pipelines or pipe-networks.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the base is NaOH, the alcohol is ethanol, and the pipelines or pipe-networks are for potable water.

12. The gel composition according to claim 5 wherein the additives include hydrogen-peroxide.

13. The gel composition according to claim 6 wherein the additives include silver.

Description

Example 1: Composition of a Pushing Gel

(1) 2140 grams of guar gum (Vidogum) 66.34 grams of boric acid 5.0 liters of pure absolute ethanol 100 liters of tap water 1.43 liters of 0.4 weight percent NaOH solution

Example 2: Composition of an Intermediate Gel

(2) 1430 grams of guar gum (Vidogum) 44.3 grams of boric acid 5.0 liters of ethanol 100 liters of tap water 1.43 liters of 0.4 weight percent NaOH solution

Example 3: Composition of a Pick-Up Gel

(3) 1140 grams of guar gum (Vidogum) 35.34 grams of boric acid 5.0 liters of ethanol 100 liters of tap water 1.43 liters of 0.4 weight percent NaOH solution

Example 4: Production of a Pushing Gel

(4) 50 liters of water is poured into an agitated reactor. 2140 grams of guar gum is added to 5 liters of absolute ethanol, then it is poured into the agitated reactor and stirred for 8 minutes at 60 rpm, then for 7 minutes at 85 rpm. 66.34 grams of boric acid is added, and the intensity of the stirring is increased to 95 rpm, since the gelling already starts at this point. The gelling mixture is stirred for 5 minutes.

(5) Then 1.43 liters of 0.4 weight percent NaOH solution is added, and the intensity of stirring is decreased to 30 rpm and it is continued to stir for 3 minutes at this stirring rate. Finally the mixture is diluted with 50 liters of water and stirred for 2 minutes at 30 rpm, which results in a homogeneous and stable gel composition.

(6) The benefits of the invention can be summarized as below:

(7) It is a cost effective, timesaving technology.

(8) It can provide effective cleaning, even at relatively low speeds.

(9) It is applicable in pipelines with varied inside diameters.

(10) There is no risk of mechanical pigging equipment becoming stuck.

(11) It can effectively remove fluids and gases.

(12) It can provide cleaning, drying and disinfection during only one intervention.

(13) The gels are harmless to human health and to the environment.

(14) Completing the task does not require lengthy preparations.

(15) It is not needed to disrupt the pipelines to complete the cleaning.

(16) Wide spectrum of possible additives is feasible.

(17) Significantly lower amounts of chemicals are used compared to chemical treatments.