Vacuum pipe scale and residue removal
Limescale is formed in the vacuum piping systems of all ships.
Pipelines can accumulate deposits for many reasons. In addition to natural waste from passengers and crew, water hardness, cleaning chemicals and animal fat from kitchens contribute to the formation of deposits on the inside of pipes.
Various lime compositions, such as struvite (urine and phosphate lime) and carbonate lime, form in black and grey wastewater lines. Mineral lime may form in process equipment such as heat exchangers, chillers and drinking water generators.
SmartPipe offers an efficient and environmentally friendly solution for treating vacuum piping. Vacuum systems can work well for months, but over time, urinary calculus builds up and maintenance can be expensive.
When water surfaces are exposed to higher temperatures, for example in vacuum systems, a dense layer of limescale forms. This layer consists of both inorganic substances (calcium, phosphates, carbonates) and organic residues. Regular treatment is needed to prevent scale formation.
Effective treatment methods include:
- Acids: remove inorganic limescale.
- Microbes: break down organic matter and prevent the formation of deposits.
Today, more and more ships are using automatic dosing for chemicals in their pipelines, making handling easier and more consistent. The problem is particularly common in long vacuum lines.
Advantages of vacuum toilet systems on modern ships:
- Low water consumption (only 1.5 liters per flush) saves storage space and resources.
- Operational reliability even when the ship is rolling and heeling.
- Easy and flexible installation.
- A safe solution that prevents toxic gases from entering indoor spaces.
- Few open pipe routes in case of flooding.
- A wastewater collection system improves the treatment results of the entire sewer network.
SmartPipe combines the best of effective chemical and microbiological treatment with environmentally friendly products.
Traditional methods of addressing the scale problem:
A) Increasing flow in pipes
👍 Reduces the formation of urinary stones
👍 Reduced vacuum capacity
👎Increased water consumption
👎Increased water bunkering costs
B) Use of bleaching or disinfectant agents
Using alkaline cleaning agents can make the situation worse.
No proven impact on system efficiency
C) Use of strong acids by closing the vacuum system
Removes urinary stones
Risk of valve damage
Corrodes and damages the pipe
Risk of limescale particles moving in the pipe
Not a sustainable or environmentally friendly solution
D) Use of specific pipe-cleaning chemicals
Correct dosage effectively removes urinary stones and limescale
Chemical dosing is inaccurate
Inaccurate dosing increases consumption and costs
Dosing systems vary depending on the supplier
Removal of deposits with SmartPipe solution:
Step 1 – Treatment of toilets with BioTroop Sani
Ship toilets are the starting point for treating the ship's piping. Traditionally, deposit removal is done with powder-based products, which are regularly flushed down the toilet. With SmartPipe's advanced BioTroop Sani, this step can be completely bypassed.
- BioTroop Sani is a dual-action pipeline maintenance agent designed for use as a toilet cleaning agent as well.
- The solution removes scale and prevents its accumulation in the toilet and pipes.
- This 100% biodegradable product breaks down organic waste with the help of lactic acids and effectively eliminates odors.
- Unlike chemical cleaning agents, the substance does not harm the ecosystem when discharged into the sea.
- The use of BioTroop Sani supports the maritime industry's efforts to minimize environmental impact.
- Sani is approved for biological wastewater treatment systems.
- The product is user-friendly and cost-effective Replaces the need for several individual cleaning agents and saving additional work for the ship's cleaning team.
- It solves the problem, maintains cleanliness, and optimizes the ship's piping system.
Step 2 – Treatment of pipeline lines
In addition to the toilet lines, problematic areas of the ship's pipelines are treated with SmartPipe's automatic DPT dosing system and the feeding of environmentally friendly chemicals or bacterial solutions to the problematic areas of the piping system.
- Optimal use of liquid quantities with an automatic dosing device.
- The biological treatment process is programmed with milliliter and minute precision.
- Easy installation for both old and new vessels.
- It is particularly important to start biological treatment for pipes when they are new.
- Suitable for various wastewater systems and treats a wide range of organic waste.
- The most common inorganic deposits in pipes are calcium and magnesium salts, which combine with uric acid.
- To solve the problem, the right product can be chosen on a case-by-case basis:BioTroop BL-20 which maintains the condition of the piping system and prevents issues, or BioTroop RapidX which acutely resolves problems.
