WO2002081609A2

WO2002081609A2 - Removing adherent organic material

Info

Publication number: WO2002081609A2
Application number: PCT/US2002/010345
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jennifer Riley Mayhall; Eddie D. Sowle; Charles Allen Hodge
Original assignee: Kay Chemical, Inc.
Priority date: 2001-04-04
Filing date: 2002-04-04
Publication date: 2002-10-17
Also published as: WO2002081609B1; EP1373448A2; ATE342329T1; CA2443308C; CA2443308A1; WO2002081609A3; US20030022803A1; EP1373448B1; AU2002256042A1; DE60215321T2; US6664220B2; DE60215321D1

Abstract

A solution capable of removing adherent organic material from the surface of a solid substrate at room temperature is disclosed. The solution includes a first solvent, preferably water, having dissolved therein: up to 2% alkali metal silicates, a source of alkalinity that is substantially free of alkali metal hydroxide ions, at least one organic solvent, and an amount of hydrotrope effective to render the organic solvent or solvents soluble in the solution, an amino alcohol may be included, at least one surfactant, and a corrosion inhibitor may be included. The solution should have an alkaline pH less than about 12. The solution is used to remove the adherent organic material by soaking the object having such material thereon in such a solution, preferably at room temperature.

Description

REMOVING ADHERENT ORGANIC MATERIAL

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates to the removal of adherent organic

material from solid substrates, and more particularly to the removal of

carbonized organic material from the surfaces of cookware.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] The preparation of many baked and fried foods creates residue

on the surface of the cookware that is comprised primarily of adherent organic

material. Such material can be an adherent viscous or solid organic material,

caramelized organic material or carbonized organic material. The removal of

such materials has conventionally been done by abrasion or the use of

chemically aggressive substances, such as solvents or caustic materials

activated by heat.

[003] Removing such materials by abrasion is labor intensive and can

affect the surface of the material being cleaned. While chemical removal of

adherent organic material from the surface of cookware can be done with a

number of conventional chemicals, these materials are generally difficult to

work with in that they cause skin or eye irritation, require heating of the

surface to be cleaned or are corrosive to certain cookware, especially

aluminum. Thus, the primary objective of the present invention is to provide a

material that removes adherent organic material from the surface of solid

substrates, such as cookware, that does not require heat, that is not toxic and does not generate irritating fumes, does not irritate the skin, and does not

corrode aluminum cookware and is easily rinsed from the cleaned surface

with water.

[004] Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set

forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the

description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and

advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by the

combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[005] In accordance with the purpose of the invention as embodied

and broadly described herein, the invention includes a solution for removing

adherent, organic material from the surface of a solid substrate at room

temperature. The solution comprises a first solvent, most preferably water,

having dissolved therein up to 2% alkali metal silicates. The solution further

includes a source of alkalinity that is substantially free of alkali metal

hydroxide ions. The solution further includes at least one organic solvent in

an amount up to 20%, and an amount of hydrotrope effective to render the

organic solvent soluble in the solution. Up to 10% of amino alcohol is

included in the solution. The solution also contains at least one surfactant in

an amount up to 25%, and up to 15% of a corrosion inhibitor. [006] Another embodiment of the invention is a method for removing

adherent organic material from the surface of a solid substrate at room

temperature. In such an embodiment a solvent, preferably water, has

dissolved therein up to 2% alkali metal silicates. The solution further includes

a source of alkalinity that is substantially free of alkali metal hydroxide ions.

The solution further includes at least one organic solvent in an amount up to

20%, and an amount of hydrotrope effective to render the organic solvent

soluble in the solution. Up to 10% of amino alcohol is included in the solution.

The solution also contains at least one surfactant in an amount up to 25%,

and up to 15% of a corrosion inhibitor. Substrates, such as cookware, having

adherent organic material are placed within the solution for a period of time

effective to react with the adherent organic material and convert the organic

material to a form that it can be readily removed from the substrate.

[007] The solution of the present invention finds particular utility in

cleaning the surface of cookware, such as plastic or aluminum cookware, and

especially anodized aluminum cookware.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[008] In accordance with the invention, there is provided a solution

capable of removing adherent organic material from the surface of the solid

substrate at room temperature. While such solutions are operable at room

temperature and are advantageous because of there being no necessity to

heat the system in order to provide a cleaning affect, heating of the solution may assist in the cleaning process. The invention includes a first solvent, the

most preferred embodiment being water, with a combination of materials

dissolved therein. While the invention has shown particular utility in an

aqueous solution, the amount of solvent can be reduced but typically such

solutions have no more than 80% water. More preferably, the water content

should be no more than 75%.

[009] The percentages set out herein are weight percentages, unless

specifically set out otherwise.

[010] In accordance with the invention, there is provided a source of

alkalinity and that source should be substantially free of alkali metal hydroxide

ions. Preferably, the source of alkalinity consists essentially of an alkali metal

carbonate, examples being potassium carbonates, sodium carbonate, or

mixtures thereof. The higher pH provided by the source of alkalinity

contributes to the removal of the adherent organic material. Preferably, the

overall solution has an alkaline pH less than 12, although a pH above 12 can

be used where corrosion of a metal substrate is not an issue. In its most

preferred embodiment, a water solution, the pH is preferably in the range of

from 10 to 12, and most preferably about 11. In connection with the pH the

word "about" means plus or minus a pH value of 0.5. In the preferred

embodiment, the alkali metal carbonate comprises from 5 to 11 % of the

solution and in the most preferred embodiment, approximately 9%. Amounts

of alkali metal carbonate in excess of 11% are operable but are more corrosive to metals like aluminum. Higher concentrations of alkali metal

carbonate may be used but the concentration of corrosion inhibitors may

need to be adjusted to avoid corrosion of the metal being cleaned.

[011] It is important that the source of alkalinity not contribute an

excessive amount of free metallic ions to the solution, as the presence of free

metallic ions causes flocculation within the solution. While this may not

always degrade the performance of the solution with respect to removing

adherent organic material, it is not preferred. Other sources of alkalinity, such

as hydroxides, are not preferred for cleaning aluminum or anodized aluminum

surfaces due to their propensity to corrode or attack the metal surface being

cleaned and to increase skin irritation if the solution contacts humans or

animals. Several sources of alkalinity, hydroxides in particular, also decrease

the rinseability of the solution from the metal substrate being cleaned making

rinsing of said substrate difficult and time consuming. For these reasons,

hydroxides are not preferred for cleaning aluminum or anodized aluminum

surfaces. Other sources of alkalinity other than carbonates include

phosphates, borates, gluconates, silicates, and other salts of organic acids,

as well as amines and amides.

[012] In accordance with the invention, the solution includes at least

one organic solvent in an amount up to 20%, and an amount of hydrotrope

effective to render the organic solvent soluble in aqueous solutions. As here

embodied, the organic solvent comprises at least one organic solvent selected from the group consisting of d-limonene; glycol ethers; and N-

methyl-pyrrolidone, in an amount of up to about 10% of a solution. Suitable

glycol ethers include, but are not limited to, propylene glycol n-butyl ether

(PNB), propylene glycol n-propyl ether (PNP), and dipropylene glycol normal

propyl ether (DPNP). d-Limonene can be obtained from Florida Chemical

Company, Inc. of Winter Haven, FL, USA. Propylene glycol n-butyl ether

(PNB) can be obtained from Dow Chemical Company of Midland, Ml, USA

and is known commercially as DOWANOL^® PnB. Propylene glycol n-propyl

ether (PNP) can also be obtained from ARCO Chemical of Newtown,

Pennsylvania, USA and is known commercially as ARCOSOLV^® PnP.

Dipropylene glycol normal propyl ether (DPNP) can be obtained from ARCO

Chemical of Newtown, Pennsylvania, USA and is known commercially as

ARCOSOLV^® DPNP. N-methyl-pyrrolidone is known commercially as NMP

or m-pyrol and can be obtained from ISP Technologies Inc. of Wayne, New

Jersey, USA.

The function of the solvent is to promote the release of the organic

material from the surface of the substrate being cleaned. One of the

advantages of the present invention is that, in addition to emulsifying the

adherent organic material, it removes such material from the surface of the

solid substrate being cleaned by breaking the bond between the organic

material and the surface of the substrate. While not wishing to be bound by

theory, it appears that the solution delaminates the layers of the adherent organic material as well as breaking the chemical or physical bond of that

material on the surface to be cleaned. In an aqueous solution, the solvent

normally requires a hydrotrope to render it soluble in the solution. As will be

discussed with respect to other components of the solution, many of them

also have hydrotroping properties and assist in the dissolution of the organic

solvent within the aqueous medium. Where a separate hydrotrope is used, it

can consist essentially of sodium xylene sulfonate.

[013] In accordance with the invention, the solution may include at

least one corrosion inhibitor. As here embodied, the corrosion inhibitor can

consist essentially of at least one fatty acid. Examples of fatty acids that can

be used with respect to the present invention include caprylic acid and stearic

acid. Other acids may include decanoic acid, lauric acid, dodecinoic acid,

palmitic acid, myristic acid, and mixtures thereof. The fatty acids should be

present in an amount up to 15%, with 2% being most preferred. Bicarbonates

can also be used as corrosion inhibitors, alone or in combination with other

corrosion inhibitors. The use of a corrosion inhibitor is particularly useful

when removing adherent organic material from relatively reactive metal

surfaces such as aluminum.

[014] In accordance with the invention, an amino alcohol may be

included to provide cleaning power to the solution. The amino alcohol is an

emulsifier and helps loosen the carbon on the surface being cleaned.

Preferably, the amino alcohol is present in an amount up to 10% of the solution, most preferably in an amount of 4%. Preferably, the amino alcohol

is 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol. Such a material is known commercially as

AMP-95 and is a product of Angus Chemical Company of Buffalo Grove,

Illinois, USA. Amounts in excess of 8 to 10% of amino alcohol are operable

but raise toxicity issues with the solution. In certain applications toxicity may

not be of concern, as for example cleaning or decarbonizing machine or

engine parts, but in the preferred embodiment, the level of amino alcohol is

such that there are no known significant toxicity effects and the solution can

be handled without special precautions.

[015] In accordance with the invention, the solution contains at least

one surfactant in an amount up to about 25% to promote cleaning of the

organic material from the surface of the substrate. In desired embodiments,

the surfactant is an amphoteric surfactant that consists essentially of sodium

lauriminodipropionate in an amount up to 2%. Such a material is known

commercially as Mackam 160C-30, a product of Mclntyre Group, Ltd. of

University Park, Illinois, USA. While the use of an amphoteric surfactant is

preferred, anionic, non-ionic or amphoteric surfactants can be used alone or

in combination with one another. In one embodiment of the present

invention, a combination of non-ionic and amphoteric surfactants is used to

form the solution, wherein the combination comprises: (1) an ethoxylated

alcohol having from 10 to 12 carbon atoms (6 moles ethylene oxide) in an

amount up to about 2.5%; (2) an ethoxylated alcohol having from 9 to 11 carbon atoms (2.5 moles ethylene oxide) in an amount up to about 2.5%; and

(3) sodium lauriminodipropionate in an amount up to 2%. Suitable

ethoxylated alcohols having from 10 to 12 carbon atoms (6 moles ethylene

oxide) include, but are not limited to, SURFONIC^® L12-6, available from

Huntsman Chemical Company of Houston, TX, USA. Suitable ethoxylated

alcohols having from 9 to 11 carbon atoms (2.5 moles ethylene oxide)

include, but are not limited to, TOMADOL^® 91-2.5, available from Tomah

Products, Inc. of Reserve, LA, USA.

[016] In accordance with the invention, up to 2% of one or more alkali

metal silicates can be included to provide corrosion protection to the metals

being cleaned. Desirably, the alkali metal silicate comprises potassium

silicate, sodium silicate, or a blend thereof. In one embodiment of the present

invention, the solution contains an alkali metal silicate consisting essentially of

potassium silicate and in a preferred embodiment the potassium silicate

comprises up to about 0.30% of the solution. In such amounts the surface of

the material being cleaned is not corroded and no significant amount of

precipitates or flocculents are formed within the solution. Excess silicates in

the solution may produce a heavy white stain on aluminum cookware that is

undesirable. More importantly, the formation of undesirable silicates on the

surface to be cleaned should be avoided as they are difficult to remove

without the use of aggressive chemicals. In other desired embodiments, a mixture of potassium and sodium

silicate is used. In the embodiments tested the mixture of potassium and

sodium silicate and use of sodium silicate alone produced more flocculent

than potassium silicate alone. The presence of a precipitate or flocculent

does not affect the performance of the solution, but its presence is not

preferred[017] An additional material that improves the performance of the

solution by inhibiting attack or corrosion of the metal surface being cleaned is

the presence of at least one phosphate ester. Phosphate esters are known

corrosion inhibitors and examples of proprietary groups of products know to

be operable are materials known as TMulz, a product of Harcroft Organics of

Kansas City, Kansas, USA, Rhodafac, a product of Rhodia Chemical Co. of

Cranbury, New Jersey, USA and Chemphos, a product of Chemron of Paso

Robles, California, USA. In addition, some phosphate esters are hydrotropes

in the present invention. Bicarbonates are another material that can be used

as a corrosion inhibitor. Bicarbonates buffer the system and prevent

excessive free alkalinity.

[018] As embodied herein the invention is a solution, and while its

performance is not significantly affected by use (in other words the active

ingredients of the solution are not consumed in the cleaning process), its

performance is affected by the concentrations changing due to evaporation of

the volatile ingredients, primarily the water and organic solvents. Thus, it is

preferred to keep containers of the solution covered to prevent the evaporation of the water or organic solvents. In addition, as the solvents

evaporate the silicate concentrations exceed the preferred amounts and

flocculation or staining can result. Evaporation of the organic solvents also

affects the performance of the solution for removing adherent organic

material.

[019] _. The present invention was used in connection with a number of

examples, as set out below.

Example 1

[020] A solution comprising the following ingredients was prepared,

with all percentages by weight relative to the total weight of the solution.

Water 72.7%

Potassium Silicate (Kasil#1 )¹ 1.3%

1 a product of PQ Corporation of Valley Forge, PA, USA ² a product of Angus Chemical Co. of Buffalo Grove, III. USA

³ a product of ISP Technology Inc. of Wayne NJ, USA

4 product of ARCO Chemical of Newtown, Pennsylvania, USA

5 product of Mclntyre Group, Ltd. of University Park, Illinois, USA

[021] The cleaning performance of the solution was tested by

submerging a variety of "soiled" pizza pans in a vessel containing 4 gallons of

the solution at room temperature. The cooking surface of the "soiled" pans

had an adherent film of cooking oil and food, with at least a portion of the oil

and food being carbonized. For the first part of the test, a soiled 14" bare aluminum deep dish pan (Pan 1) and a 14" soiled anodized aluminum deep

dish pizza pan (Pan 2) were submerged in the solution for a total of 72 hours.

After 18.5 hours, 26 hours, and 72 hours, the pans were removed from the

solution and visually inspected for degree of carbonized matter removal. The

results are provided in Table 1 , with percentages referring to the percentage

of adherent matter removed from the pizza pan. The solution of this example

contained flocculent, but the performance was not adversely affected.

Table 1

[022] Pans 1 and 2 were removed from the solution following the 72

hour period. Eight soiled pizza pans were then submerged in the same solution

for a 90 hour period. The pans comprised a mixture of 12" bare aluminum thin

and 14" bare aluminum deep dish pans. The pans were soaked for periods of

90 hours and 140 hours (6 days). At the end of each of the two soaking periods,

the pans were removed and visually inspected to determine the degree of

adherent matter removal. Following the inspection at 90 hours, the pans were

again submerged until the final inspection at the conclusion of 140 hours. The

results are provided below in Tables 2 and 3. Table 2

Table 3

[023] These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the solution in

cleaning pizza pans, even in a period of time less than the standard seven-

day soak cycle at room temperature.

Example 2

[024] Many cleaning solutions have a corrosive effect on metal

cookware, especially aluminum cookware. This example demonstrates the

effect of the solution of Example 1 on bare aluminum and anodized aluminum

pizza pans. [025] A clean, bare aluminum pizza pan and a clean, anodized

aluminum pizza pan were each placed in the solution of Example 1 to soak

overnight. The pans were removed after the overnight soaking and were

inspected for signs of corrosion or degradation. A visual inspection showed

that the pans appeared to be free of corrosion and surface attack. The pans

were again submerged in the cleaning solution and were permitted to soak for

an additional 48 hours. At the end of the additional 48 hours, the pans were

visually inspected. The pans showed no visible signs of corrosion or attack

by the solution.

Example 3

[026] Another test was performed using pans from actual pizza restaurants.

The following solution was prepared, with all percentages by weight relative to

the total weight of the solution:

Water 72.7%

Potassium Silicate (Kasil#1) 1.3%

RU Silicate ¹ 1%

K₂C0₃ 9%

AMP-95 4%

DPNP 7%

NMP 3%

Mackam 160C-30 3%

RU Silicate is a sodium silicate salt available from PQ Corporation of Valley Forge, PA, USA.

[027] The pizza pans were soaked in tubs containing 8 gallons of

cleaning solution for one or more seven day intervals, providing for seven day

"soak cycles." Fifty-six pizza pans having adherent organic matter on their

cooking surfaces were cleaned in this test. The tested pans included both bare aluminum and anodized 7", 12", and 14" deep dish, thin, and thin

perforated pans. After the pans were used for preparing pizzas, they were

submerged in the solution. The submersion was for a period of time sufficient

to remove at least 95% of the adherent material on the surface of the pans.

The results are summarized in Table 4, with the soak time provided in days:

Table 4

All Pan Anodized Aluminum Bare Aluminum

Typ< 3S

Average Soak Time 11 13 8

Minimum Soak Time 3 3 4

Maximum Soak Time 23 23 16

Total Number of 56 29 27

Pans Cleaned

[028] The results of this test demonstrate that the solution is effective

for cleaning adherent organic matter, including carbonized material, from

pizza pans. The solution provided cleaner pizza pans in a relatively short

period of time. In addition, it was determined that the solution was as

effective in cleaning the first pan as it was in cleaning the 56^th pan.

Significantly, the containers holding the solution and the pans were covered

except when loading the pans into the containers to minimize evaporation

from the solution.

Example 4

[029] Five solutions were prepared and evaluated for both cleaning

performance and stability. They are listed in Table 5, with all percentages by

weight relative to the total weight of the solution:

Table 5

1 2 3 4 5

Water 74.25 73.72 75.75 73.25 72.25

K₂C0₃ 9 9 9 9 9

Kasil 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25

AMP-95 4 4 4 4 4

NMP 3 3 3 3 3

DPNP 7 7 7 7 7

Caprylic Acid 1 1 1 2 2

TMulz1227¹ 1.5 - - 1.5 -

Mackam - 2 - - 2

¹ Phosphate Ester Blend [030] Slight to very slight flocculation was observed in each of the five

prepared solutions. Soiled bare aluminum thin and soiled anodized aluminum

deep dish pizza pans were submerged in a basin containing one of the five

solutions for 70 hours. At the end of the 70 hour test period, the pans were,

removed and visually inspected for both soil-removal performance and

corrosion. The results are provided in Table 6.

Table 6

[031] The pans were all then replaced in the same solutions for an

additional 72.5 hours with the tops of the containers covered. The total

submersion time, 70 hours plus 72.5 hours, approximates a typical soak cycle

used in the test of Example 3. The results of the combined 142.5 hour soak

time are provided in Table 7.

Table 7

Example 5

[032] Seven solutions were prepared an evaluated for appearance,

stability, and performance. The solutions are listed in Table 8, with all

amounts given in percentage by weight relative to the total weight of the

solution.

Table 8

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Water 74.25 73.72 75.75 73.25 72.25

RU Silicate 0.25 0.25 - - - - -

Kasil - - 0.25 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1

K₂C0₃ 9 9 9 9 9 9 9

AMP-95 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

NMP 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

DPNP 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

Mackam 2 1 1 2 1 2 1

Caprylic Acid 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Appearance cloudy Cloudy clear clear clear clear clear

[033] Anodized aluminum deep dish and bare aluminum thin pizza

pans were submerged in vessels containing one of the seven solutions for 95

hours (4 days), which is less than the standard seven-day soak cycle. At the

end of the 95 hour period, the pans were removed and evaluated for cleaning

performance, stability, and attack, if any, on the pizza pans. The results are

provided in Table 9. The percentages refer to the amount of adherent

organic material removed from the pans. Table 9

Comp. Anod. Deep Bare Thin Observations Stability No. Dish (% rem) (% rem)

1 100% 95% Possible attack flocc./cloudy

2 100% 90% No attack flocc. /cloudy

3 100% 99% No attack slight flocc./cloudy

4 100% 99% No attack very slight flocc.

5 100% 99% No attack very slight flocc.

6 100% 95% Attack on anod. very very slight flocc.

7 100% 100% No attack none

[034] The solutions exhibit acceptable cleaning performance and stability, and their corrosive effect on the pans was either non-existent or within acceptable ranges.

Example 6

Eight formulations were prepared using the compositions shown in Tables 10 and 11 below with all weight percents being based on a total weight of the resulting solution.

Table 10

a product of Florida Chemical Company, Inc. of Winter Haven, FL, USA. ARCOSOLV ® PnP, a product from ARCO Chemical of Newtown, Pennsylvania, USA a mixture of acids having the following components: caprylic acid (58%), capric acid (40%), caproic acid (1%), and dodecanoic acid (1%), available from Cognis Corporation, Cincinnati, OH, USA.

Table 11

DOWANOL® PnB, a product of Dow Chemical Company of Midland, Ml, USA.

In formulation 3 shown in Table 10, an additional 2.5% of SURFONIC^® L12-6 (Huntsman Chemical Company, Houston, TX) and 2.5% of TOMADOL^® 91-2.5 (Tomah Products, Inc., Reserve, LA) was added to the formulation to assist with dispersion of the d-limonene in the solution.

The cleaning performance and stability of each solution was tested as described in Example 5 above, except the pans were soaked and inspected at the following time intervals: 24 hrs, 72 hrs, 96 hrs, 7 days (168 hrs), and 11 days (264 hrs). The cleaning performance results are shown in Tables 12 and 13 below.

Table 12

Table 13

The results above demonstrate the effectiveness of the cleaning solutions of the present invention in cleaning pizza pans. The cleaning solutions also remained stable for at least 7 days.

[035] The present invention has been disclosed in terms of its preferred embodiments. The scope of the invention is to be determined, not by the disclosed embodiments, but by the appended claims, as such claims would be understood by those of ordinary skill in the disclosed technology, in light of the specification. The invention is a combination of ingredients and those skilled in the art may find ways to alter that combination by means of further chemical additions to the solutions specifically disclosed and claimed. Moreover, the amounts set out in the embodiments, and even the claims may be changed and still achieve the benefits of the invention. Such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the invention, as set out in the attached claims and their equivalents.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A solution capable of removing adherent organic material from the

surface of a solid substrate at room temperature, said solution comprising:

a first solvent, having dissolved therein,

up to 2% of one or more alkali metal silicates;

a source of alkalinity, said source being substantially free of

alkali metal hydroxide ions;

at least one organic solvent in an amount up to 20%, and an

amount of hydrotrope effective to render said organic solvent soluble in said

solution;

up to 10% amino alcohol;

at least one surfactant in an amount up to 25%; and

up to 15% corrosion inhibitor;

said solution having an alkaline pH less than about 12.

2. The solution of claim 1 , wherein said first solvent consists essentially of

water, and said first solvent comprises no more than 80% of said solution.

3. The solution of claim 2, wherein said water comprises no more than

75% of said solution and said solution has a pH in the range of from about 10

to 12.

4. The solution of claim 1 , wherein said one or more alkali metal silicates

consists essentially of potassium silicate.

5. The solution of claim 4, wherein said potassium silicate comprises up

to 0.25%) of said solution.

6. The solution of claim 1 , wherein said one or more alkali metal silicates

comprises potassium silicate, sodium silicate, or a blend thereof.

7. The solution of claim 1 , wherein said source of alkalinity consists

essentially of at least one alkali metal carbonate.

8. The solution of claim 7, wherein said at least one alkali metal

carbonate comprises one or more alkali metal carbonates selected from the

group consisting of potassium carbonate, and sodium carbonate.

9. The solution of claim 7, wherein said at least one alkali metal

carbonate comprises from 5 to 11% of said solution.

10. The solution of claim 9, wherein said at least one alkali metal

carbonate comprises about 9% of said solution.

11. The solution of claim 1 , wherein said amino alcohol consists essentially

of 2-amino-2-methyl-1 -propanol.

12. The solution of claim 11 , wherein said amino alcohol comprises about 4% of said solution.

13. The solution of claim 1 , wherein said organic solvent comprises at least one solvent selected from the group consisting of d-limonene, glycol ethers, and N-methyl pyrrolidone.

14. The solution of claim 13, wherein said organic solvent comprises a combination of d-limonene and dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether.

15. The solution of claim 13, wherein said organic solvent comprises N- methyl pyrrolidone.

16. The solution of claim 13, wherein said organic solvent comprises propylene glycol n-butyl ether, propylene glycol n-propyl ether, dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether, or a combination thereof.

17. The solution of claim 13, wherein said organic solvent comprises a combination of propylene glycol n-butyl ether and dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether.

18. The solution of claim 1 , wherein said organic solvent comprises from

about 7% to about 10% of said solution.

19. The solution of claim 1 , wherein said surfactant consists essentially of

sodium lauriminodipropionate.

20. The solution of claim 1 , wherein said surfactant comprises up to 2% of

said solution.

21. The solution of claim 1 , wherein said hydrotrope consists essentially of

either said corrosion inhibitor, said surfactant or both.

22. The solution of claim 1 , wherein said solution includes a material

introduced solely as a separate hydrotrope, said separate hydrotrope

consisting essentially of sodium xylene sulfonate.

23. The solution of claim 1 , wherein said corrosion inhibitor consists

essentially of at least one fatty acid.

24. The solution of claim 23, wherein said fatty acid comprises one

selected from the group consisting of caprylic acid and stearic acid.

25. The solution of claim 1 , wherein said substrate consists essentially of

bare or anodized aluminum and said solution contains at least one corrosion

inhibitor.

26. The solution of claim 1 , wherein said substrate consists essentially of

plastic and said solution optionally contains a corrosion inhibitor.

27. The solution of claim 1 , wherein said corrosion inhibitor consists essentially of at least one phosphate ester.

28. A solution capable of removing carbonized organic material from the surface of a substrate at room temperature, said solution comprising: water, having dissolved therein, up to 2.0% of potassium silicate, sodium silicate, or a blend thereof; from 5 to 11 % of at least one of potassium carbonate and sodium carbonate; at least one organic solvent in an amount of up to 20%, wherein said organic solvent comprises at least one solvent comprises one or more glycol ethers, N-methyl pyrrolidone, or a combination thereof; and an amount of hydrotrope effective to render said organic solvent soluble in said solution; up to 10% amino alcohol consisting essentially of 2-amino-2- methyl-1-propanol; a surfactant consisting essentially of sodium lauriminodipropionate in an amount up to 25%; and at least one corrosion inhibitor in an amount up to 15%, said corrosion inhibitor consisting essentially of at least one fatty acid, wherein all percentages are weight percentages based on a total weight of the solution; said solution having a pH in the range of from 10 to 12.

29. The solution of claim 28 wherein said pH is about 11.

30. The solution of claim 28, wherein said organic solvent comprises N- methyl pyrrolidone.

31. The solution of claim 28, wherein said organic solvent comprises propylene glycol n-butyl ether, propylene glycol n-propyl ether, dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether, or a combination thereof.

32. The solution of claim 28, wherein said organic solvent comprises a combination of propylene glycol n-butyl ether and dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether.

33. The solution of claim 28, wherein said substrate comprises metal,

plastic, or a combination thereof.

34. A method of removing adherent organic material from the surface of a

solid substrate, comprising the steps of:

forming a water-based solution, said solution having dissolved therein,

up to 2% of at least one alkali metal silicate;

a source of alkalinity, said source being substantially free of

alkali metal hydroxide ions;

at least one organic solvent in an amount up to 20%, and an

amount of hydrotrope effective to render said organic solvent soluble in said

solution;

up to 10% amino alcohol;

at least one surfactant in an amount up to 25%; and

up to 15% corrosion inhibitor;

said solution having a pH in the range of from 10 to 12;

placing said substrate in said solution for a time sufficient to remove said

organic material from said substrate.

35. The process of claim 34, wherein said process is conducted at room

temperature.

36. The process of claim 34, wherein said process includes the step of

preventing evaporation of said water and said organic solvent from said

solution.

37. The process of claim 34, wherein said adherent organic material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of carbonized organic material, caramelized organic material, and mixtures thereof.

38. The process of claim 34, wherein said organic solvent comprises N- methyl pyrrolidone.

39. The process of claim 34, wherein said organic solvent comprises propylene glycol n-butyl ether, propylene glycol n-propyl ether, dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether, or a combination thereof.

40. The process of claim 34, wherein said organic solvent comprises a combination of propylene glycol n-butyl ether and dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether.

41. The process of claim 34, wherein the solid substrate comprises aluminum.

42. The process of claim 34, wherein the solid substrate comprises plastic.