NZ208115A - Liquid firelighter compositions - Google Patents

Abstract

1. Liquid safety composition for lighting solid fuels, characterised in that it contains at least one compound with the following general formula. R1 -O-(R2 -O-)n R3 ---A in which : R1 represents a radical Ca H2a+1 or hydrogen, R2 represents a radical (-CH2 -CH2 -)b or see diagramm : EP0128788,P7,F1 R3 represents a radical Cm H2m+1 or hydrogen, a, b, n and m which can be equal or different represent values of from 1 and 12 ; and a compound B containing at least one salt or mineral complex of a transition metal.

Description

New Zealand Paient Spedficaiion for Paient Number £08115 2081 1 5 Priority Date(s): .... /9.. S?........ p/7 Complete Specification Filed: Class: as ocr 1986'"" Publication Date: P.O. Journal, No: • ££• NO DRAWINGS Patents Form No. 5 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION "LIQUID FIRELIGHTER COMPOSITION" Jt'tWE RECKITT & COLMAN S.A., a French company, of , rue Ampere, 91301 MASSY CEDEX FRANCE, hereby declare the invention, for whichxlVwe pray that a patent may be granted to gi€/us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement (fo'fowed by page * A.) 708115 Liquid firelighter composition Since the practice of lighting solid fuels with newspaper and kindling has been virtually abandoned, the market for prepared firelighters has considerably increased. Prepared firelighters can be classed into three categories according to whether they are in solids, liquids or gelled form.

Solids firelighters themselves may be separated into two classes according to whether they contain combustible liquids or not. When solids firelighters contain combustible liquids the latter are absorbed onto a porous substrate which is combustible, or it is included in a matrix of polymeric substance which may be combustible. Typically such porous substrates are cellulose, or agglomerates of wood; polymeric matrices being formed from urea-formaldehyde or phenol-formaldehyde resin. Generally, the combustible liquids are hydrocarbons, low molecular weight alcohols and mixtures thereof. When solids firelighters do not contain combustible liquids, they are simply constituted from one or more solids combustibles at-ambient temperature. Such is the case with cubes of metaformaldehyde or again with cakes of wax or paraffin.

Very often liquids firelighters are constituted from one or more hydrocarbons or alcohols or mixtures thereof.

Gelled firelighters may be constituted from one or more compounds having at least one functional hydroxyl group, for example ethyl alcohol or butyl glycol, from one or more hydrocarbons or again from mixtures of these two classes of product and optionally combined with a polar solvent such as 2081 1 5 water. Gelification is generally obtained by the addition of long-chain organo-metal 1 ic salts, high absorbency silica or organic polymers effective in polar media.

Whether they are used for solid fuel stoves or cookers, household hearth fires or barbecues, existing solids firelighters suffer a number of disadvantages. These disadvantages are linked to the fact that the area of contact of the flame arising from the combustion of firelighter with the fuel, ignition of which it is required to achieve, is very small and it is often necessary to distribute a large amount of firelighter into the mass of solid fuel in order to achieve rapid lighting of the fuel. This is the case notably when attempting to light fuels, such as anthracite, coke, agglomerates or when lighting a hearth fire. Further, when the solids firelighters contain combustible liquids, they must be stored in films assuring an effective barrier against evaporation of the liquid. Since any barrier can never be perfect, storage of these types of firelighter is not without danger especially during warmer seasons of the year.

It has been proposed to improve the efficacy of firelighters by incorporating additives. Proposed additives include, inorganic metals salts, organo-metal1ic compounds, such as soaps, naphthenates, chelates and the like or inorganic or organic peroxides.

Usually, the improvements in performance achieved with these additives are minimal. This is due to the fact that although present in sufficient quantity the additives are not directly in contact with the fuel to be set alight; 708115 therefore, their action on the speed of ignition of the fuel is only moderate.

Liquids firelighters may be constituted from a single component. Such a component may be a hydrocarbon or a low molecular weight alcohol. Sometimes mixtures of combustible liquids or solutions of a combustible solid, such as wax or paraffin, in a combustible liquid which acts as a solvent are employed.

Liquids firelighters do not exhibit the same technical difficulties as solids firelighters because they can be distributed easily over a large surface of the solid fuel ignition of which is required. Nevertheless they still suffer some major disadvantages. Notably, they can be dangerous to use by virtue of their often low flash points. This disadvantage makes marketing these products subject to special considerations which is a hindrance to their commercialisation. Incorporation of additives for improving combustion, irrespective of their efficacy and otherwise suitability in a liquids firelighter, is difficult where the additives are either insoluble or have very low solubility in the liquids compositions generally used. Such is the case particularly with combustion catalysts based on heavy metals and peroxides especially when they are used in the form of inorganic compounds.

Gelled firelighters are usually packaged in single dose form in sachets or encapsulated in such manner as to enable them to be thrown upon the solid fuel to be lit. Prepacked in sachets liquid firelighters suffer the same technical disadvantages as solids inasmuch as they do not allow rapid 2081LS 4 ignition of a combustible, although they dp not present y quite the same dangers during storage because their packaging is by definition generally secure and fluid tight. Encapsulated liquids firelighters can be distributed over a solid fuel in the same way as liquids but they then suffer the disadvantage of remaining on the surface of the fuel without penetrating it, leading to relatively low efficacy.

It has now been found that the combustion efficacy and safety of liquids firelighters can be improved simply and effecti vely.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a liquids firelighter with improved safety useful for lighting solid a component including fuels comprising/at least one of the compounds having general formula: R^~Q«—(-R2~0)n "Rj A in which, Rj = ^a^2a+l or hydrogen; R2 = -fCH2-CHz^b or -fCH2-CH>b; ch3 and R3 = C(nH2m + 1 or hydrogen, where a, b, n and m, which may be the same or different represent integers between 1 and 12, and a component » B which consists of at least one inorganic salt or complex of a transition metal.

Typically, such compounds of formula A useful in the firelighter compositions according to the invention are mono- and di- methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl ethers of mono-and poly- ethylene glycol and mono- and poly- propylene glycols. 20811 > Preferably the compound A may have dissolved therein organo-metallic additives, for example heavy metal soaps and organic complexes 4 of metals, and/or organic peroxy compounds and/or inorganic salts of metals up to the limit of their solubility.

Suitable organic peroxides include peroxy derivatives of aldehydes, ketones, esters, alky! hydroperoxides and their analogues ; amongst inorganic additives, examples are (without this list being intended to be exhaustive), chlorates, perchlorates and nitrates of the alkali metals and the alkaline earth metals.

Further, the compound A may- contain a dispersed surfactant. Suitable surfactants are those which lead to a final product which is a fluid solution stable under normal storage conditions or in use.

Preferably the compound B is an inorganic salt or complex of the metals of Group lb of the Mendeleef Periodic Classification of the Elements, that is inorganic salts and complexes of copper, silver and gold.

The compositions may include some water. Dissolved in the water may be inter alia one or more of the inorganic salts or complexes of transition metals as defined above up to the limit of their solubility.

The water can also contain other inorganic compoundsiin solution, such as chlorates, perchlorates and nitrates of the alkali and alkaline earth metals. The water may also contain one or more surfactants selected so as to obtain a final product in the form of a fluid solution stable under normal storage conditions and in use.

The reference "C" used hereinafter applies to the aqueous moiety. 6 *} 0 8 ^ 5 wbm The liquids firelighter compositions may include a hydrocarbon. Suitable hydrocarbons include liquid paraffins or isoparaffins and mixtures thereof, liquid fractions of hydrocarbons such as those obtained from the distillation of petrol, and mixtures thereof. The hydrocarbon may contain dissolved inter alia one or more of the organic compounds including peroxides defined above. It may also contain one or more surfactants selected so as to obtain a final product in the form of a stable fluid solution stable,under normal storage conditions and in use.

The reference 'D' used hereinafter refers to the hydrocarbon moiety.

The weight proportions w, x, y, z of the combinations:-AB, ABC, ABD, ABCD are easily determined in each case by a man versed in the Art by deriving the appropriate binary, tertiary or quaternary phase diagram which defines the zones of stability for the different composition. In this specification a liquid composition is regarded as being stable when it exhibits no phase separation of the formulat i on .

An appreciation of the safeness in use of a firelighter may be had from an estimation of its flash point. In effect the higher the flash point the safer the firelighter may be regarded. A firelighter which could be used under normal lighting conditions at a temperature higher than its flash point must be considered as dangerous. The AFNOR T 60-103 apparatus having a Luchaire section with cover was used to measure flash points of these compositions in all the Examples. 208115 7 The efficacy of a firelighter may be measured by the following test: A regular ball of agglomerated wood charcoal of weight 39±lg, is selected as fuel. The ball is weighed before and after immersion for 5 minute in a firelighter solution under test. The amount of firelighter absorbed is noted. The so-impregnated ball is then set alight and its loss of weight followed over a period of 30 minute to reckon the time by which the absorbed amount of firelighter has theoretically burned.

Comparison of the loss of weight of the balls in the course of combustion allows direct comparison of the efficacy of the firelighter.

The invention is further illustrated by the following non-limitative Examples in which parts are by weight of the total composition.

Example 1 A firelighter was prepared according to the formula: Monoethylene glycol monobutyl ether: (hereinafter called butyl glycol) 90 parts by weight Cupric chloride dihydrate 10 parts by weight The properties of this firelighter were compared with those of butyl glycol alone.

Results : Fi reli ghter Flash Point Loss of weight Butyl glycol only 70°C 8.5g Composition in accordance with the invention 70°C 14.Og 7 f*\ Q. 1 1 5 8 The results show the excellent lighting performance obtained. The flash point of 70°C guarantees safety in use under normal conditions.

Example 2 A firelighter was prepared according to the formula: Butyl glycol 87 parts by weight Water 8.5 parts by weight Cupric chloride dihydrate 4 parts by weight The properties of this firelighter were compared with those of butyl glycol alone.

Results: Fi reli ghter Flash Point Loss of weight Butyl glycol alone 70°C 8.5g Composition in accordance with the invention above 100°C 13.6g The results show the excellent lighting performance obtained as well as the safety procured by the composition according to the invention inasmuch as the flash point of the mixture is above 100°C.

Example 3 A firelighter was prepared according to the formula: *NAPS0L PM2 : a Trade Mark is the monomethyl ether of dipropylene glycol sold by Societe Naphtachimie.

The properties of this firelighter was compared with those of NAPSOL alone.

♦NAPSOL PM2 82 parts by weight Silver nitrate 9 parts by weight 9 parts by weight Water 7 0 8115 9 / Results : Flash Point Loss of weight NAPSOL PM 2 78°C 6g Compositions in accordance with the invention >100°C 12g The results show the excellent lighting performance obtained with the composition according to the invention similarly its high degree of safety.

Example 4 A firelighter was prepared of formula: Butyl glycol 47.5 parts by weight Cupric chloride dihydrate 5 parts by weight *SHELLS0L K 47.5 parts by weight *SHELLS0L K : a Trade Mark is a dearomatised and deodorised aliphatic solvent sold by Societe Shell.

The properties of this firelighter were compared with those of SHELLSOL K alone, butyl glycol alone and a mixture of these two solvents (50%/50%).

Results : Flash Point Loss of weight Butyl glycol 70°C 8.5g SHELLSOL K 77°C 11.Og SHELLSOL/Butyl glycol (50-50) 64°C 5.7g Composition in accordance with the invention 64°C 13.9g The flash point of 64°C ensures a degree of safety adequate for normal conditions of use.

The performance obtained is greatly improved in relation to the products used alone or their mixture. 2 0 S 1 15 Example 5 A firelighter was prepared according to the formula: Butyl glycol 46.1 parts by weight Cupric chloride dihydrate 2 parts by weight Water 5.8 parts by weight SHELLSOL K 46.1 parts by weight The properties of this firelighter were compared with those of butyl glycol alone, SHELLSOL K alone and a mixture of the two solvents (50%/50%).

Results: Flash Point Loss of weight Butyl glycol 70°C 8.5g SHELLSOL K 77°C 11.Og SHELLSOL K/Butyl glycol (50/50) 64°C 5.7g Composition according no flash point to the invention vapours ignited at 92°C 13.3g This table illustrates the excellent results obtained both from the safety level angle, since no flash point exists thus eliminating all danger of explosion of the vapours of the product if, for example, it was sprayed onto live coals and also from the efficiency of lighting angle seeing that the performances obtained are superior to those of a classical additive.

Example 6 A gel firelighter was prepared according to the f ormul a: 11 ^1 1 i so-propyl alcohol *AEROSIL 200 80 parts by weight 4 parts by weight 14 parts by weight 2 parts by weight Water Tri ethanolami ne * A E R 0 S I L 200 : a Trade Mark - is micronised precipitated silica sold by Societe Degussa.

Viscosity : (Brookfield RVT viscometer, No.3 spindle 20 rpm) 1200cps.

Results : Flash Point : 12°C Loss of weight : lg (combustion of ball stopped These results compared with those obtained in the other Examples show the danger presented by this product inasmuch as it will always be used at a temperature above its flash point, further that its effectiveness is negligible inasmuch as the ball never attained the state of self supporting combust ion.

Example 7 A firelighter was prepared according to the formula: Butyl glycol 16.9 parts by weight Copper octoate 0.2 parts by weight Cupric chloride dihydrate 2 parts by weight Water 4 parts by weight SHELLSOL K 46.9 parts by weight The properties of this firelighter were compared with those of a mixture of butyl glycol/water/SHELLSOL K (47.5/5/47.5) without additive. after 5 mi nutes). 12 2081 1 5 Result s: Flash point Loss of weight Mixture without additives 73°C 7.8g Composition in accordance with the invention 73°C 13.3g The results show the excellent performance obtained with the composition according to the invention. The flash point is superior to the normal temperature at which a fi reli ghter i s used.

Example 8 A firelighter was prepared according to the formula: Butyl glycol 46.85 parts by weight Cupric chloride 2 parts by weight Water 4 parts by weight Potassium chlorate 0.2 parts by weight SHELLSOL K 46.85 parts by weight Copper octoate 0.1 parts by weight The properties of this firelighter were compared with those of a mixture of butyl glycol/water/SHELLSOL K (47.5/4/47.5) without additives.

Results: ' Flash Point Loss by weight Mixture without additives 73°C 7.8g Composition according to the invention 73°C 13.4g The foregoing results show clearly the interest occasioned by the composition according to the invention. The flash point obtained allows safety in use under normal conditions to be assured.

Claims (8)

*.115 13 Analogous results are obtained by replacement of butyl glycol or NAPSOL PM 2 with other ethers of the general formula of compounds represented by formula A in the above Examples. These Examples apart from illustrating the invention, disclose specific ways of carrying the invention into effect and given in-use comparisons with compositions which form no part of the invention thus showing that improved safety can be achieved with liquids firelighters of the present invention and which have improved efficacy in lighting solid fuels. For the rest it has to be said that the present invention has been described in a purely explanatory way and in no way 1 imitatively and that other useful modifications will arise without departing from the spirit of the invention. 208115 14 CU-H1S _ *«'-* CU"!!' U' '

1. A liquids firelighter composition for lighting solid a component including fuels comprising/at least one compound of the general formu1 a: Rl-0-fR2.0^rR3 A in which Rj represents a radical: CaH2a+l or hydrogen; R2 represents a radical: or-fCH2-CH)^; ch3 R3 represents a radical: CmH2m+j or hydrogen; wherein a, b, n and m, which may be the same or different, represent integers between 1 and 12; and a component, B, which comprises at least one inorganic salt or complex of a transition metal.

2. A composition as claimed in Claim 1, in which the compound, A, is a mono- or di- methyl, propyl or butyl ether of a mono- or poly-ethylene glycol or mono- or polypropylene glycol.

3. A composition as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the compound A dissolves an additive selected from the group consisting of organo-metal 1ic compounds, organic peroxy compounds, inorganic oxidising salts of the alkali metals and the alkaline earth metals, surfactants and compatible mixtures thereof to the limit of their solubility in the composi t i on.

4. A composition as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, in which the transition metal in canponent B is selected from the elements of Group lb of the Mendeleef periodic classification of the elements. 208115* 15 :■ 4

5. A composition according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, in which is included at least one of water and a liquid hydrocarbon in the proportions by weight of the composition given by the coordinates y and z for components C and D respectively in the phase diagrams (A,B,C), (A,B,D), or (A,B,C,D) and corresponding with a stable composition suffering no phase separation under normal conditions of storage.

6. A composition as claimed in Claim 5, in which the water has dispersed therein a proportion of at least one inorganic salt or complex of a transition metal of Group lb of the Mendeleef Periodic Classification of the elements, an inorganic oxygen compound, a surfactant and compatible mixtures thereof.

7. A composition as claimed in Claim 5 or 6 in which the hydrocarbon has dispersed therein at least one organo-metallic derivative, organic peroxide, a surfactant or their compatible mixtures to within the limit of their solubility.

8. A composition as described herein and claimed in claim 1 with reference to any one of the examples.