If a fluoride feed pump is clogged with hardness deposits, which diluted chemical should be used to dissolve the deposits?

Hydrochloric acid is effective at dissolving a variety of hardness deposits, particularly those composed of calcium carbonate, which is often present in water systems. When dealing with hard deposits that can clog equipment such as fluoride feed pumps, hydrochloric acid can react with these mineral accumulations and effectively dissolve them back into a soluble form.

While other acids such as acetic or phosphoric acid can be used for certain cleaning purposes, they typically do not have the same level of effectiveness against the range of mineral deposits found in water systems. Sulfuric acid can also dissolve some mineral deposits but may pose additional safety and handling challenges due to its strong reactivity. Hydrochloric acid, when used properly, provides a more straightforward and efficient solution for clearing out hardness deposits in settings that utilize fluoride feed pumps.