FR2825100A1 - SURFACE CLEANING PRODUCT TO REMOVE SOIL - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a product for cleaning surfaces for removing dirt, consisting of an aqueous composition containing at least one formate of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal, or of ammonium.

Description

is now in the range of 0.1 to 0.7.

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  The present invention relates to a product for cleaning surfaces to remove dirt, and in particular from building facades or any other surfaces covered with

  soiling from air pollution.

  The urban atmosphere is becoming more and more charged and concentrated in combustion products. These, more or less greasy and mixed with dust, deposit over time a hard deposit, black or color tending towards black, very sticky and unsightly, on surfaces such as the facades of buildings. The sulfur dioxide S02, very present in these deposits reacts with these surfaces, generally calcium, to give a calcium sulfete difficult to remove, leading in o some cases to the dogradation of the material itself by formation

calcium sulfete dihydrate.

  There are already known various methods of cleaning surfaces covered with dirt, in particular methods of cleaning by abrasion such as sanding and exfoliation. However, these methods have the disadvantage of being costly and

  not to respect the treated surfaces.

  We also know the cleaning processes by chemical action, in particular the processes using strongly basic detergents, dangerous for the user and risking o weakening the calcium surfaces. The use of these basic detergents can lead to training over time

unattractive efflorescence.

  In addition, methods of cleaning by abrasion or by chemical action require protection of the openings that may exist, in particular on the facades of buildings, such as doors, windows, or verandas. In fact, these openings risk, when cleaning, from being reached by the projection of abrasives or detergents, which can thus damage the woodwork, paints, windows or aluminum structures.

of these openings.

  The present invention therefore relates to a product of

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  simple and effective cleaning, which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art and in particular eliminates deposits

  highly adherent and unsightly pollutants.

  The subject of the present invention is a product for cleaning surfaces to remove dirt consisting of an aqueous composition containing at least one metal formate

  alkatin or alkaline earth, or ammonium.

  By reacting the alkali or alkaline metal formate

  earthy or ammonium on the poorly soluble calclum sulfate, where present on polluted surfaces, carbonate of

  weakly adhering calcium and alkali or alkali metal sulfate

  ferrous or soluble ammonium, these two resection products

  can be easily removed with water.

  Advantageously, the cleaning product according to the invention contains at least one sodium, potessium or ammonium formate, and preferably ammonium. The cleaning product according to the invention generally contains from about 40% by weight of formate relative to the total weight.

of the product.

  the cleaning product according to the invention generally has a pH of approximately 7 to 9 and preferably of approximately 8. This pH close to neutral makes it possible to avoid any reaction of the cleaning product with the materials of the treated support, and more particularly when it is made of limestone, in

brick, or cement.

  In addition, the cleaning product according to the invention has no effect on the windows, woodwork, paints and aluminum structures of the openings that are usually encountered on the facades of buildings. Consequently, it is not necessary to protect the openings present on the facades to be cleaned when cleaning the latter with the product.

according to the invention.

  The cleaning product according to the invention can also comprise one or more surfactants, preferably

  non-foaming or weakly foaming.

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  The choice of surfactants can be important, because these constituents act in synergy with formate. Surfactants also help dissolve fatty substances, and consequently eliminate all of the more or less fatty pollutant combustion products. The surfactants which can be used according to the invention generally represent from 2 to 10% by weight of the total weight

  of the cleaning product according to the invention.

  Advantageously, the surfactant (s) are

o amphoteric.

  As an example of an amphoteric surfactant which can be used according to the invention, mention may be made of the sodium salt of alkylamine marketed under the name AMPHOTENSID EH by the company ZSCHIMMER & SCHWARZ. This surfactant is not only an excellent solubilizer for fatty substances, but it is

also non-foaming.

  Preferably, the surfactant (s) are combined

to a quaternary ammonium salt.

  By way of example of a quaternary ammonium derivative that can be used according to the invention, mention will be made of acetyl dimethylammonium chloride sold by the company VALUY under the name VITALUB QA5D Na, which is a good detergent and is

  in addition fungicide, bactericide and algicide.

  Since the product according to the invention is an aqueous cleaning composition intended to be applied, in many cases - to inclined vertical surfaces, it generally comprises at least one additive chosen from thickening agents, viscosifying agents, gelling agents and mixtures thereof. In fact, the additives promote the adhesion of the cleaning product according to the invention to the surfaces to be cleaned, in particular vertical or inclined surfaces, so that the cleaning product according to the invention remains in contact with one another. permanently, usually several hours with the surface to be cleaned, without the product leaking out or drying out prematurely

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  evaporation. In addition, these additives also make it possible to limit

  the action of the product on the surface of the support.

  As an example of a thickening agent which can be used according to the invention, mention may be made of ethyl cellulose or carboxymethyl cellulose, in particular the product sold by the company HERCULES under the name BLANOSE 12 M 31 F. The viscosifying agents which can be used according to may advantageously be chosen from hydrophilic water-retaining viscosifiers, which have the advantage of keeping the product for several hours

  humid, slowing down its evaporation.

  As hydrophilic viscosifying agent which can be used according to the invention, mention may be made of xanthan gum sold by the company MONSANTO under the name KELZAN S. The gelling agents which can be used according to the invention are advantageously thixotropic, so that the cleaning product according to the invention remains firmly in place on the surface

without sinking.

  As gelling agents which can be used according to the invention, mention may be made of natural or synthetic mineral colloids, in particular bentonite, colloids based on aluminosilicate sold by the company LAPORTE under the name

  Laponite RDS, or AEROSIL from DEGUSSA.

  The additive or additives which can be used according to the invention are generally present in an amount of 2 to 10% by weight of the total weight of the composition. The proportions of these additives can vary depending on the means of application used (spray, roller, spatula, brush) and the nature of the materials

  constituting the surfaces to be cleaned.

  The cleaning product according to the invention can also comprise an anti-foaming agent, in particular silicone, present in an amount of 0.1 to 1% by weight, and preferably in an amount of 0.6%

  by weight relative to the total weight of the product according to the invention.

  As an example of a silicone anti-foaming agent, mention may be made of 2825100 of RHODORSIL 426R marketed by the company RHONE

Poulenc.

  The cleaning product according to the invention can also comprise additives other than those mentioned above, chosen in particular from triethanolamine, monoethanolamine, glycerin, polyvinyl alcohols,

  colloidal clays, and bentonites.

  According to a particular and advantageous embodiment of the invention, the cleaning product consists of an aqueous composition containing approximately 67% by weight of water, approximately 20.5% by weight of ammonium formate, approximately 2.6 % by weight of sodium alkylamine carboxylate, approximately 2.6% by weight of acetyl dimethylammonium chloride, approximately 2% by weight of triethanolamine, approximately 1.3% by weight of xanthan gum and s approximately 4% by weight of synthetic aluminosilicate collode, by

  relative to the total weight of the product according to the invention.

  According to another particular and advantageous embodiment of the invention, the cleaning product consists of an aqueous composition containing approximately 67% by weight of water, approximately 20% by weight of sodium formate, approximately 4% by weight of sodium alkylamine carboxylate, approximately 3.5% by weight of glycerin, approximately 4% by weight of synthetic aluminosilicate collode and approximately 1.5% by weight of carboxymethyl cellulose or ethyl cellulose, relative to the total weight of the product according to

The invention.

  The subject of the invention is also the use of the cleaning product according to the invention as previously defined, for the removal of soiling on the facades of buildings, in particular

  especially dirt caused by air pollution.

  o The application of the cleaning product according to the invention can be done in different ways, and in particular by brush,

  spatula, roller or spray.

  The following examples illustrate the invention without, however,

limit its scope.

  ss In the examples, unless otherwise noted, all

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  quantities are expressed by weight relative to the total weight of the

cleaning product.

EXAMPLES

Example 1 to 3

  In examples 1 to 3, the following constituents were used: With formic acid + ammonia with 28 dogré Baumé crystallized ammonium formate Surfactants: - acetyl dimethylammonium chloride marketed by the company VALUY under the name VITALUB QA5D Na - sodium alkylamine carboxylate marketed under the name AMPHOTENSID EH by the company

ZSCHIMMER & SCHWARZ

  Viscosifier: - Xanthan gum sold by the company MONSANTO under the name KELZAN S Gelling agent: - Synthetic aluminosilicate colloid marketed by

  the LAPORTE company under the name Laponite RDS.

Example 1

  A first cleaning product according to the invention was prepared by proceeding as follows: (a) An aqueous solution of ammonium formate is first produced, by introducing into a stainless steel tank fitted with an agitator. with variator containing 60 I of water, 11 kg of formic acid and 1 4 kg of ammonia at 28 dogrés

  ss Baumé. The solution is allowed to cool and then the pH is adjusted to 8.

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  (b) 1 kg of Keizan S is then introduced, with stirring and at high speed. Then, the mixer is allowed to rotate to allow the solution time to increase in viscosity; (c) Then added, still with stirring and at high speed, a mixture prepared in advance comprising 8 kg of water and

8 kg of Laponite RDS.

  (d) When the whole is well homogeneous, 4 kg of AMPHOTENSID EH and 2 kg of

VITALUB QA5D Na.

  The composition of this cleaning product according to the invention is summarized in Table 1:

Table 1

  Constituents Quantity (% by weight) water 60 Formic acid 99% 11 Ammonisk at 28 degrees Baumé 14 Gelling agent Laponite RDS 8 Viscosifier Kelsan S 1 Surfactants Amphotensid EH 4 VITALUB QA 5D Na 2 The product is applied using a roller the invention on a wall coated with a coating of heavily soiled cement

by pollution.

  It is applied, on a given day (D), around 1:30 am at a rate of 0.3 kg of product per m2 of surface to be cleaned. The next morning (D + 1), after rinsing with slightly overpressed cold water,

  we note that all traces of soiling have disappeared.

Example 2

  A second cleaning product according to the invention was prepared, more concentrated in ammonium formate than the

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  product described in Example 1, by introducing into the stainless steel tank of Example 1 containing 50 l of water, 35 kg cristall of crystallized ammonium formate, 7 kg of surfactants, 2 kg of

viscosifier and 6 kg of gelling agent.

  s The composition of this cleaning product according to the invention

is shown in Table 2.

Table 2

  Constituents Quantity (% by weight) water 50 Ammonium form crystallized 35 Surfactants Amphotensid EH 4 VITALUB QA 5DNa 3 Viscosifier Kelsan S 2 Gelling agent Laponite RDS 6 The product is applied using a brush

  the invention on the facade of a small stone building.

  very sulfated and clogged. It is applied at the rate of 0.5 kg / m2 of surface. After leaving the product to act for 12 hours

  approximately, then after rinsing with water, it is found that almost

  all the soiling (95%) has disappeared.

Example 3

  oWe prepared a third cleaning product according to the invention of medium concentration of ammonium formate um

but of very high viscosity.

  Is introduced into a stainless steel tank fitted with a variator agitator containing 222 l of water, 85 kg of ammonium formate, 26 kg of surfactants, 30 kg of gelling agent and 7 kg of viscosifier.

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  Unlike Example 2, the surfactants are only added at the end to avoid the formation of bubbles or foam. The composition of this cleaning product according to the invention is presented in Table 3.

Table 3

  Constituents Quantity (% by weight) water 60 Ammonium formate 23 Surfactants Amphotensid EH 3.5 VITALUB QA5D Na 3.5 Viscosifier Kelsan S 1.9 Gelling agent Laponite RDS 8.1 to After having thoroughly moistened the facade of a building in light-colored and very porous brick, the product according to the invention is applied to the facade using a brush. We

  apply it at a rate of approximately 1 kg per m2 of surface to be cleaned.

  After having left the product to act for approximately 12 hours, the surface is rinsed with cold water. We

  then notices that the brick appears completely clean.

Examples 4 to 8

  o In Examples 4 to 8 which follow, crystallized sodium formate was used as active agent in the product

  according to the invention, by combining it with various constituents and additives.

  For this purpose, a first "mother solution" (mother solution 1) was prepared comprising 1.5 parts by weight of gum

  xanthan Keizan S per 100 parts by weight of water.

  The tests were carried out on an inclined surface, covered with a roughly floated cement coating, 300 cm in length and 70 cm in width. This surface was covered with a black layer of natural and regular pollution, o 2825100 but progressively thicker in the lower part. The duration of application of the cleaning product before rinsing with water was

20 minutes.

Example 4

  Stock solution # 1 85% by weight Crystallized sodium formate 15% by weight pH = 7 o result: removal of irregular dirt

Example 5

  Stock solution n 1 70% by weight s With crystallized sodium formate 30% by weight pH = 7 Good results

Example 6

  À Stock solution 1 74% by weight crystallized sodium formate 22% by weight triethanolamine 4% by weight pH = 8 Good results, very easy removal of dirt

Example 7

  À Stock solution n 1 75% by weight n / a To crystallized sodium formate 23% by weight To monoethanolamine 2% by weight p H = 8,5 Good results

Example 8

  Stock solution 1 72% by weight With crystallized sodium formate 22% by weight s With glycerin 6% by weight pH = 7.5 Good results Examples 9 to 12 In Examples 9 to 12 which follow, ammonium formate as active agent in the product according to the invention in place of crystallized sodium formate, with the same "stock solution" as in Examples 4 to 8 s above. The application tests were carried out in

  same conditions as in examples 4 to 8.

Example 9

  À Stock solution 1 86% by weight ammonium formate 14% by weight pH = 7 Average results, imperfect cleaning

Example 10

  À Stock solution # 1 83% by weight ammonium formate 17% by weight pH = 7 Average results, imperfect cleaning

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Example 11

  À Stock solution 1 74% by weight fo, ammonium rmiate 22% by weight 5. triethanolamine 4% by weight pH = 8 Good results, very easy removal of dirt

Example 12

  o Stock solution n 1 71% by weight With ammonium formate 21% by weight With glycerin 8% by weight pH = 8 s Good results Examples 13 to 16 In examples 13 to 16 which follow, the use o was illustrated of various surfactants with the same "solution

  mother "as in previous examples 4 to 12.

  The application tests were carried out under the same conditions, but with an application hardness of 10 minutes

before rinsing with water.

  : 5 These examples show the advantageous effect of the presence

  surfactant in the product of the invention.

Example 13

  30. Stock solution 1 74% by weight With sodium formate 22% by weight With polyalkylene glycol ether (nonionic) 4% by weight pH = 8 Very good results

Example 14

  Stock solution # 1 74% by weight ammonium formate 22% by weight With diketyl ester sodium sulfoccinate 4% by weight (anlonic) pH = 7.5 Good results, but a little worse than those of the example

Example 15

  À Stock solution # 1 74% by weight Sodium formate 22% by weight s. sodium alkylamine carboxylate 4% by weight pH = 8 Very good results

Example 16

  Stock solution 1 72% by weight ammonium formate 20% by weight sodium alkylamine carboxylate 4% by weight Acetyl dimethyl ammonium chloride 4% by weight s pH = 7 Excellent results Examples 17 to 20 o In the examples 17 to 20 which follow, the use of various thickening agents has been illustrated with a second "stock solution" (stock solution 2) comprising 22 parts by weight of ammonium formate and 4 parts by weight of alkylamine

  sodium carboxylate per 100 parts by weight of water.

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  The application tests were carried out in the same

  conditions as in examples 13 to 16.

  These examples show the advantageous effect of the presence

  thickening agent in the product of the invention.

s

Example 17

  With mother composition n 2 99% by weight xanthan gum Keizan S 1% by weight o Good results, good viscosity but tendency to flow

Example 18

  mother composition n 2 98% by weight s. modified carboxymethyl cellulose 2% by weight Blanose 12M 31F Good results, but tendency to leak

Example 19

  With mother composition n 2 92% by weight Laponite RDS 8% by weight Good results, but tendency to dry

s Example 20

  mother composition # 2 94% by weight xanthan gum Keizan S 1% by weight Laponite RDS 5% by weight so Very good results, does not run and does not dry Similar results have been obtained using other thickening agents such as polyvinyl alcohols,

  collodal clays, bentonites, seuis or mixed.

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  Thanks to the above illustrative examples, a person skilled in the art is able to choose, by routine tests, the constituents and the proportions thereof which are best suited for

  remove dirt according to the nature of the latter.

  s Compositions which have given excellent results are given below:

Example 21

  o Water 67% by weight ammonium formate 20.5% by weight sodium alkylamine carboxylate 2.6% by weight Acetyl dimethyl ammonium chloride 2.6% by weight triethanolamine 2% by weight xanthan gum Keizan S 1.3% by weight to Laponite RDS 4% by weight

Example 22

  To water 67% by weight To sodium formate 20% by weight To sodium alkylamine carboxylate 4% by weight To glycerin 3.5% by weight To Laponite RDS 1.5% by weight s. carboxymethyl cellulose 1.5% by weight

Claims (16)

  1. Surface cleaning product for removing dirt, consisting of an aqueous composition containing at least one formate of alkali or alkaline earth metal, or of ammonium. 2. Product according to claim 2, characterized in that it   has a pH of about 7 to 9, preferably about 8.   3. Product according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it contains at least one sodium, potessium or ammonium formate,   advantageously ammonium formate.   4. Product according to any one of the claims   previous, characterized in that th e formi ate is present with a sound of about   at 40% by weight relative to the total weight of the product.   5. Product according to any one of the claims   above, characterized in that it contains at least one surfactant,   preferably non-foaming or weakly foaming.   6. P roduct according to resale cati on 5, characteristic of the agent surfactant is amphoteric.   7. Product according to claim 6, characterized in that the agent   surfactant is combined with a salt or a quaternary ammonium derivative.   8. Product according to any one of the claims   o above, characterized in that the surfactant (s) is (are) present at 2 to 10% by weight relative to the total weight of the product.   9. Product according to any one of the claims   above, characterized in that it also comprises at least one additive i7 2825100 chosen from the following agents and their mixtures: - thickening agents, - viscosifying agents, and A - gelling agents, said additives promoting adhesion of the product on surfaces to be cleaned,   especially vertical or inclined surfaces.   10. Product according to claim 9, characterized in that the agent   thickener is a cellulose ether.   11. Product according to claim 9, characterized in that the vi scosifying agent is a hydrophilic viscosifying agent. and preferably xanthan gum. s 12. Product according to claim 9, characterized in that the agent is a thixotropic gelling agent, preferably chosen from inorganic colloids   synthetic, preferably laponite and bentonite.   13. Product according to any one of claims 9 to 12,   o characterized in that the additive (s) are present at a rate of 1 to 15%   by weight relative to the total weight of the product.   14. Surface cleaning product consisting of an aqueous composition containing approximately 67% by weight of water, approximately 20% by weight of sodium formate, approximately 4% by weight of sodium alkylamine carboxylate, approximately 3.5% weight of glycerin, approximately 4% by weight of synthetic aluminosilicate colloT and approximately 1.5% by weight of carboxymethyl cellulose   based on the total weight of the cleaning product.   15. Surface cleaning product consisting of an aqueous composition containing approximately 67% by weight of water, approximately, 5% by weight of ammonium formate, approximately 2.6% by weight of sodium alkylamine carboxylate, approximately 2 , 6% by weight of acetyl dimethylammonium chloride, approximately 2% by weight of triethanolamine, approximately 1.3% by weight of xanthan gum and approximately 4% by weight of synthetic aluminosilicate collogue, per   relative to the total weight of the cleaning product.   s 16. Use of the product according to any one of the claims   1 to 15, for the elimination of soiling on the facades of buildings, in