KR20030037222A - Non combustible nonaqueous compositions - Google Patents

Abstract

Especially dry-using 0.5-80% by weight of at least one perfluorinated compound, 2-98% by weight solvent naphtha, mineral spirits or intermediate aliphatic hydrocarbons and 1-98% by weight glycol ether or glycol ether acetate Non-aqueous laundry compositions and methods for cleaning textiles.

Description

Non combustible nonaqueous compositions

Clothing and other fabrics, including carpeting curtains, industrial uniforms, and the like, can be soiled with stains, fatty acids and other contaminants that adhere to the dust attracted to the garment while in use.

These days, clothes are mainly washed by dry-cleaning using perchlorethylene without flash point. More recently, other liquids for dry-cleaning have been known. Because of the low flash point of these liquids, which are generally non-halogenated petroleum solvents, there is a need for the development of new machines with oxygen detectors and / or nitrogen injectors to prevent combustion or explosion in equipment. These solvents are collectively called petroleum solvents. The most notable solvents are Stoddard Solvent, Mineral Spirit, Exxon Chemical Dry-Cleaning Liquid DF 2000 and Exol D 40 from the brand Drylene and Shell Sol 142 HT from Shell Chemicals. They all have flash points below 150 ° F and are flammable and are classified as IIIA solvents by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) because of their nature of burning or exploding in dry-cleaning equipment. In general, the ignition source for combustion is electrostatic charge. Rarely, sometimes an ignition source is a cigarette lighter that inadvertently remains in a garment pocket. In Japan and China, where standard solvents and mineral spirits are commonly used in dry-cleaning equipment, fires and explosions are common in dry-cleaning equipment.

The present invention enables the use of low flash point solvents by increasing the flash point of low flash point solvents in order to prevent flammability and combustibility classification and to prevent fire hazards.

The present invention relates to compositions designed to replace perchlorethylene for dry-cleaning, wherein the compositions of the present invention are also applied as an alternative to low flash point alternative solvents for perchloroethylene. The present invention provides a method for substantially raising the flash point of low flash point petroleum solvents commonly used in the dry-cleaning industry. According to the present invention, from the textiles, textiles and apparel commonly encountered in the dry-cleaning industry, and the uniforms, textiles and apparel used in the uniform leasing business, stains, greases, fatty acids, among contaminants, The ability to remove oils and dirt will provide a solvent that is non-flammable and non-aqueous while maintaining and improving. The present invention also relates to a degreasing formulation for use in removing grease and oil from equipment, machinery and the like. Moreover, the present invention can also be used to separate and concentrate oil removed from clothes by distillation so that there is no need to treat oil in hazardous waste conditions contaminated with perchloroethylene.

It is an object of the present invention to improve the flash point of flammable and combustible hydrocarbon solvents by using a component having a zero ozone depleting potential, for commercial dry-cleaning of textiles and related articles having flash points above 100 ° C. It is to provide a composition.

Another object of the present invention is to maintain the basic physical properties of petroleum solvents so as to maintain their suitability as dry-cleaning liquids.

Another object of the present invention is to increase the vapor pressure of the solvents to accelerate the drying of the garment while the solvent maintains a high flash point.

The present invention provides high operational safety limits due to the high flash point, eliminates the significant risk of groundwater contamination, and is environmentally suitable, substantially biodegradable to remove grease and oil from machinery and associated equipment. And compositions for removing contaminants from textiles and related fabrics and garments and methods of decontamination using the same. The compositions according to the invention are preferably substantially non-toxic and are substantially biodegradable liquids at room temperature or higher, so they are not dangerous air pollutants (HAP's), have very low VOC potentials and zero ozone consumption. With potential (ODP), it is effective in removing significant amounts of contaminants from textiles and particularly garments such as industrial uniforms and gloves.

The compositions according to the invention do not use perchloroethylene, mineral spirits or chlorinated fluorinated hydrocarbons (CFC's). The compositions of the present invention can be used as effective substituents and degreasing agents to replace perchloroethylene in commercial laundry processes.

The compositions of the present invention have many advantageous physical and chemical characteristics of perchloroethylene without the disadvantageous features accompanying perchlorethylene, in particular the environmental incompatibility of perchloroethylene.

The compositions of the present invention have a low density (7.5 lbs / gal to 8.2 lbs / gal) compared to the density of 13.47 lbs / gal of perchloroethylene, so there is no fear of groundwater contamination. The compositions of the present invention may include surfactants that can assist in the removal of fatty acids, stains and other contaminants from fabrics, particularly garments. Moreover, the compositions of the present invention are compatible with most, but not all, commercial fibers used in textiles. Similar to perchloroethylene, the compositions of the present invention have the advantage of not substantially changing or modifying the shape of the fibers underlying the garment. The compositions of the present invention impart a nice hand to the garment, known as the terminology for dry cleaners, and are generally stable during washing, and are also stable at drying, separation and distillation temperatures.

Laundry compositions according to the present invention are inherently non-aqueous and include:

(i) about 1 to about 98 weight percent glycol ether and / or glycol ether acetate;

(ii) about 2% to about 98% by weight of solvent naphtha, mineral spirits or medium aliphatic hydrocarbons; And

(iii) about 0.5 to about 80 weight percent of at least one perfluoro compound.

The composition may further comprise a hydrofluoroether.

In addition, the essentially non-aqueous composition may comprise:

(i) about 1 to about 98 weight percent glycol ether and / or glycol ether acetate;

(ii) about 0.5 to about 80 weight percent of at least one perfluoro compound;

(iii) about 2% to about 98% by weight of solvent naphtha, mineral spirits or intermediate aliphatic hydrocarbons; And

(iv) about 0.5 to about 80 weight percent hydrofluoroether.

In another embodiment, the essentially non-aqueous composition may comprise:

(i) about 1 to about 98 weight percent glycol ether or glycol ether acetate;

(ii) about 2% to about 98% by weight of solvent naphtha, mineral spirits or intermediate aliphatic hydrocarbons; And

(iii) about 0.5 to about 80 weight percent hydrofluoroether.

As defined herein, “essentially nonaqueous” means that the composition comprises less than about 1% water.

Preferred amounts of glycol ethers for the compositions of the present invention are about 1 to about 98% by weight, more preferably about 3 to about 60% by weight, even more preferably about 4 to about 40% by weight, even more preferably about It is in the range of 5 to about 15% by weight. The preferred amount of aliphatic hydrocarbon used in the laundry composition of the present invention is about 2 to about 98 weight percent, more preferably about 30 to 97 weight percent, even more preferably about 63 to about 95 weight percent. The amount of perfluorocarbon compound in the laundry composition according to the invention is preferably about 0.5 to about 80% by weight, more preferably about 2 to about 60% by weight, even more preferably about 3 to about 40% by weight, Even more preferably from about 3 to about 30 weight percent, even more preferably from about 4 to about 25 weight percent. The preferred amount of hydrofluoroether for use in the laundry composition of the present invention is about 0.5 to about 80% by weight, more preferably about 2 to about 60% by weight, even more preferably about 3 to about 30% by weight, even more It is preferably in the range of about 4% to about 25% by weight.

The compositions according to the invention comprise at least one component selected from the group consisting of, for example, antimicrobial agents, fiber processing agents, anionic surfactants or mixtures thereof in order to facilitate the incorporation of small amounts of water to aid in the removal of water soluble stains from fabrics and garments. It may optionally include.

The compositions according to the invention have a density less than the density of water, are preferably biodegradable, preferably have a BOD value of at least about 20 ppm, and more preferably have a BOD value of at least about 40 ppm. The compositions of the present invention are particularly environmentally advantageous because they are readily biodegradable and lighter than water. In this aspect, the preferred compositions of the present invention have no risk of contaminating groundwater.

The invention also relates to the use of fibers, textiles, textiles, fabrics, garments or the use of the compositions of the invention in textiles, textiles, clothing or surfaces in an effective amount to remove contaminants from flexible and / or non-flexible surfaces. A method for removing one or more contaminants from clothing, flexible and / or non-flexible surfaces. Optionally, contaminants removed from the garment are initially present in the composition / contaminant mixture, which can be separated from the laundry composition by distillation and can be recovered or isolated. These often contain oils and related hydrocarbons that can be used as fuel, eliminating the need for disposal of hazardous waste at the bottom of the distillation distillation.

The following definitions will be used throughout the specification to define the invention.

The term "contaminant (s)" is used to describe most materials that are not normally found on clean, non-contaminated textile or other flexible and non-flexible surfaces such as machinery and metal surfaces, and during the laundry process. Removed from fabrics or other surfaces. Contaminants include, but are not limited to, fats, fatty acids, especially triglycerides and fatty acids, fat-like substances, salts, food waste, sweat, blood stains, dirt, oils, greases and related lubricants and many other synthetic and natural substances. Or biological contaminants, or lubricants that are not normally found on the surfaces and fibers to be washed in accordance with the present invention. Most common contaminants removed by the compositions according to the invention include triglycerides, fatty acid and fat related food contaminants and greases, oils and related lubricants. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the present invention will be effective in removing various kinds of surface contaminants, but in many instances, depending on the chemical properties of the contaminants, the compositions of the present invention In order to maximize the removal of certain contaminants, modifications need to be made within the scope of the present invention.

Examples of hydrofluoroether compounds include, but are not limited to, ethoxy-nonafluorobutane, ethyl perfluoroisobutyl ether, ethyl perfluorobutyl ether, methoxy-nonafluorobutane, methyl nonafluoroisobutyl Ethers, methyl nonafluorobutyl ethers and their isomers.

The term “perfluoro compound” is used herein to describe compound C _n F _{2n + 2} , wherein n = 3-8.

The compositions of the present invention further comprise a hydrofluoroether / trans-1,2-dichloroethylene mixture. In one embodiment, it is an azeotrope. In another embodiment, the ratio of hydrofluoroether: trans-1,2-dichloroethylene is about 5:95 to about 95: 5.

The terms "glycol ether" and "glycol ether acetate" are used throughout the specification to describe certain preferred components used in the compositions according to the invention. Mainly, propylene glycol ethers, ether acetates, ethylene glycol ethers and ether acetates can be used. Exemplary glycol ethers for use in the present invention include, but are not limited to, propylene glycol t-butyl ether, ethylene glycol methyl ether, diethylene glycol methyl ether, triethylene glycol methyl ether, ethylene glycol methyl ether, diethylene glycol ethyl ether , Triethylene glycol ethyl ether, ethylene glycol n-propyl ether, diethylene glycol n-propyl ether, triethylene glycol n-propyl ether, ethylene glycol isopropyl ether, diethylene glycol isopropyl ether, triethylene glycol isopropyl ether, Ethylene glycol n-propyl ether, diethylene glycol n-propyl ether, triethylene glycol n-propyl ether, ethylene glycol n-butyl ether, diethylene glycol n-butyl ether, triethylene glycol n-butyl ether, propylene glycol methyl ether (PM), dipropylene article Col methyl ether, dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether, tripropylene glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol ethyl ether, dipropylene glycol ethyl ether, tripropylene glycol ethyl ether, propylene glycol n-propyl ether (PnP), dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether , Dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether, propylene glycol isopropyl ether, dipropylene glycol isopropyl ether, propylene glycol n-butyl ether, dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether, aromatic base-glycol ether, ethylene glycol methyl ether acetate, di Ethylene and propylene glycol substituted ethers such as ethylene glycol methyl ether acetate, propylene glycol methyl ether acetate, dipropylene glycol methyl ether acetate and mixtures thereof. These compounds can be purchased from a number of sources, including, among others, Dow Chemical and Arko Chemical. Equivalent amounts of these glycol ethers and glycol ether acetates may also be used by the present invention.

Preferred glycol ethers and glycol ether acetates used in the present invention have a relatively high vapor pressure and low boiling point in order to promote the quick drying of the fabric and to accelerate the distillation.

The terms "aliphatic hydrocarbon", "solvent naphtha", "mineral spirit" refer to normal and isotype paraffins consisting of open and branched chain structures. The vaguely defined term naphtha-common name refers to the kind of diesel distillate.

Included in the naphtha classification is crude crude naphtha (LCN) liquid distillates with boiling points ranging from 32 ° C to 100 ° C (90 ° F to 175 ° F) and crudes with boiling ranges from 163 ° C to 218 ° C (325 ° F to 425 ° F). It is middle naphtha of.

The following examples are provided to illustrate the invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way.

The task is to prepare compositions that improve performance characteristics in terms of safety and performance of petroleum solvents, naphtha and mineral spirits, and solvents currently used in dry-cleaning. In their recent use, they present a high risk of ignition and explosion in use. Due to the inherent fire hazards associated with the use and storage of these low flash point solvents, there are severe restrictions on the siting of facilities using petroleum solvents.

The following compositions were made to evaluate their ability to wash typical contaminants from fibers. In addition, their solvent effects on typical textiles and fabrics used in industrial gloves and uniforms and on general dry-cleaning fabrics were evaluated.

Each composition was tested using the Targeted Closed Test flash point method to assess the flammability or flammability of the composition.

The following ingredients were used in the following examples to prepare exemplary compositions of the present invention. Dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether (DMM) was purchased from Dow Chemical Company in Midland, Michigan. COVI-OX-T-70 is a mixed tocopherol concentrate. COVI-OX-T-70 was purchased from Henkel Chemicals, Cankake, Illinois. HFE-7100 and HFE-7200 are hydrofluoroethers. All components called PFs are perfluoro compounds. PF-5070, PF-5058, PF-5060, PF-5070, PF-5052, PF-5056 and PF-5080 were purchased from 3M company in Paul, Minnesota. Stodard Solvent, Mineral Spirit, and Shell Sol 142HT were purchased from Shell Chemicals, Houston, Texas. DF-2000 was purchased from Exxon Chemical Corporation in Houston, Texas. DF-2000 and Shell Sol 142-HT are hydrotreated medium aliphatic hydrocarbon solvents.

The components were added at the time of preparation of the compositions and stirred to obtain the thoroughly mixed products. In these examples, components were generally added in the order in which they were written. In most instances, the products were clear at room temperature.

¹ -DMM, dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether.

Propylene glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol ethyl ether, propylene glycol n-propyl ether and dipropylene glycol methyl ether also have sufficient high vapor pressures to be useful and are one of the ether groups useful in the present invention.

^2- useful antioxidant to prevent the generation of the hydroperoxide in the glycol ether.

³ -HFE-7100, HFE-7200, PF-5070, PF-5080, PF-5058, PF-5052, PF-5056 and PF-5060. Perfluoro compounds with various carbon atoms of C ₃ to C ₁₈ are useful, and several of the groups of perfluoro compounds have been used to effectively inhibit the low flash point of low flash point petroleum solvents and glycol ethers.

⁴ -Naphtha, Shell Sol 142 HT, DF-2000, Stoddard Solvent and Mineral Spirit.

Groups of low flash point petroleum fractions, mainly combinations of C ₉ -C ₁₂ aliphatic hydrocarbons.

Specific embodiments are disclosed herein, which illustrate some aspects of the invention. Certain corresponding embodiments will fall within the scope of the present invention. In addition, those skilled in the art will apparently appreciate from the foregoing description various modifications of the invention in addition to those described and disclosed herein. Such modifications also fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Various references are cited herein, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims (20)

Non-aqueous composition comprising: (i) about 0.5 to about 80 weight percent of at least one perfluoro compound; (ii) about 2% to about 98% by weight of solvent naphtha, mineral spirits or intermediate aliphatic hydrocarbons; And (iii) about 1 to about 98 weight percent glycol ether or glycol ether acetate. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises about 3 to about 40 weight percent, more preferably about 3 to about 30 weight percent, and most preferably about 4 to about 25 weight percent of at least one perfluoro compound. A composition, characterized in that. The composition of claim 1, wherein the solvent naphtha, mineral spirits or intermediate aliphatic hydrocarbons are selected from the group consisting of normal paraffins, iso paraffins and diesel distillates. 4. The composition of claim 3, wherein the composition comprises about 30 to about 97 weight percent, or preferably about 63 to about 95 weight percent petroleum distillate. The composition of claim 4, wherein the perfluoro compound has about 3 to about 18 carbon atoms. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises about 3 to about 60 weight percent, more preferably about 4 to about 40 weight percent, or even more preferably about 5 to about 15 weight percent glycol ether. Composition. The composition of claim 1, further comprising a hydrofluoroether compound. The method of claim 1 wherein the hydrofluoroether compound is hydrofluoroethylene. The composition of claim 1, further comprising a hydrofluoroether compound / trans-1,2-dichloroethylene mixture. 10. The composition of claim 9, wherein the hydrofluoroether compound / trans-1,2-dichloroethylene mixture is a hydrofluoroethylene / trans-1,2-dichloroethylene mixture. The composition of claim 10 wherein the hydrofluoroethylene / trans-1,2-dichloroethylene mixture is an azeotropic mixture. The composition of claim 10, wherein the ratio of hydrofluoroethylene to trans-1,2-dichloroethylene is about 5:95 to about 95: 5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises at least one component selected from the group consisting of antimicrobial agents, fabric processing agents, anionic surfactants, and mixtures thereof. Essentially non-aqueous compositions comprising: (i) about 0.5 to about 80 weight percent of at least one perfluoro compound; (ii) about 2% to about 98% by weight of solvent naphtha, mineral spirits or intermediate aliphatic hydrocarbons; And (iii) about 0.5 to about 80 weight percent of the hydrofluoroether compound. 15. The composition of claim 14, wherein the composition comprises a hydrofluoroether / trans-1,2-dichloroethylene mixture. Non-aqueous composition comprising: (i) about 1 to about 98 weight percent glycol ether or glycol ether acetate; (ii) about 2% to about 98% by weight of solvent naphtha, mineral spirits or intermediate aliphatic hydrocarbons; And (iii) about 0.5 to about 80 weight percent of the hydrofluoroether compound. 17. The non-aqueous composition of claim 1, 14 or 16 in an effective amount for removing contaminants from a textile, textile, clothing, flexible or non-flexible surface. A method of removing one or more contaminants from a textile, textile, clothing, flexible or non-flexible surface, comprising applying a. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the flexible or non-flexible surface is a machinery or metal surface. 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the following steps (a), (b) and (c): (a) recovering the composition / pollutant mixture; (b) distilling the composition / pollutant mixture of step (a) to remove the contaminants from the composition; (c) separating the contaminants. One or more contaminations from textiles, textiles, clothing, flexible or non-flexible surfaces comprising applying the nonaqueous composition of claim 1, 14 or 16 to the textiles, textiles, clothing, flexible or non-flexible surfaces Use of the composition of claim 1, 14 or 16 for removing material.