Compositions and methods for cleaning and preventing plugging in micro-irrigation systems
View Patent ↗An irrigation system cleaning formulation contains a sufficient concentration of a water-soluble organic acid which has a pK(1)a of less than about 4.0. A cleansing irrigation water contains a sufficient amount of such cleaning formulation, and a method of cleaning an irrigation system uses such cleaning formulation.
1. A method of cleaning a block of an irrigation system fouled by calcium carbonate deposits, comprising the steps of:
(step 1) introducing a cleaning formulation consisting of water and a water-soluble organic acid having a pK(1)a of less than 4.0 to irrigation water to lower the pH of said irrigation water to 2.5 to 3.5 whereby acidified irrigation water is formed;
(step 2) distributing said acidified irrigation water substantially throughout said block of said irrigation system;
(step 3) then stopping the flow of said acidified irrigation water;
(step 4) then completely dissolving said calcium carbonate deposits by allowing said acidified irrigation water to stand in said block of said irrigation system for a time period of from 3 to 24 hours; and
(step 5) then flushing said block of said irrigation system.
2. The method of cleaning a block of an irrigation system fouled by calcium carbonate deposits according to claim 1 , wherein said water-soluble acid is formic acid.