United States Patent [191 [11] Patent Number: 4,772,415

Adone [45] Date of Patent: Sep. 20, 1988

[54] HEAVY DUTY DEGREASER COMPOSITION 4,390,465 6/1983 Spekman, Jr. .................... .. 252/ 156
AND METHOD OF USE 4,414,128 11/1983 Gof?net ............................ .. 252/106

[76] Inventor: Donald J. Adone, 949 Todt Hill Rd., Primary Examiner-Paul Lieberman
New York, N_y_ 10304 Assistant Examiner-John F. McNally
Attorney, Agent, or Firm-William R. Moran
[21] Appl. No.: 944,680
22 Fil d- D 22 1986 ['57] ABSTRACT
[ 1 e ' ec' ’ A water-based, non-toxic, biodegradable, heavy duty
[51] Int. Cl.4 ...................... .. C11D 3/44; Cl 1D 10/04 degreaser composition is provided which is particularly
[52] US. Cl. .................................. .. 252/111; 252/114; useful for cleaning containers, engines, pipes, and pro
252/113; 252/139; 252/153; 252/162; 252/170; cessing equipment employed in the marine and re?ning
252/ 171; 252/ 173; 252/DIG- 14; 134/40 industries. Since the composition is water based and
[5 3] Field of Search ------------------------- -- 134/40, 42, 111; hence does not contain volatile solvents or undesirable
252/ 118, 122, 153, 162, 170, 114, 139, 171, 173 petroleum based products, it is environmentally desir
- able for removing oil from tank, boilers, decks, and the
[56] References cued like, and avoids the use of toxic and sometimes highly
U-s- PATENT DOCUMENTS ?ammable organic solvents.
4,028,281 6/1977 Millard et al. ...................... .. 134/40
4,380,268 4/1983 Martin ............................... .. 252/170 16 Claims, No Drawings
 4,772,415
1 2
composition is an aqueous liquid detergent composition
HEAVY DUTY DEGREASER COMPOSITION AND containing surfactant, sequiterpene and a polar solvent.
METHOD OF USE There is disclosed a metal plate treating solution in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,028,281 which issued on June 7, 1977 to
FIELD OF THE INVENTION B. Millard et al which is indicated to be an aqueous
solution capable of cleaning and imparting a hydro
This invention relates in general to a heavy duty philic silicate coating onto a metal surface and wherein
degreaser composition. In one aspect, this invention the solution contains an alkali metal silicate, a water
relates to a degreaser composition which is particularly active surfactant and a ferric chelate of ethylenedi
useful for cleaning containers, engines, pipes, and pro aminetetraacetic acid.
cessing equipment used in ‘the marine and re?ning in In U. S. Pat. No. 4,390,465 which issued June 28, 1983
dustries. In a further aspect this invention is directed to to P. Spekman, Jr., there is disclosed a low temperature
a non-petroleum based degreaser composition which is composition for plating pretreatment of ferrous metals.
ideally suited for heavy duty cleaning, particularly in This composition is an aqueous solution composed of an
large scale industrial marine and re?ning applications 5 alkali metal silicate, an active surfactant, a water condi
and which is essentially biodegradable and free of toxic tioner such as the tetrasodium salt of ethylenediamine
and environmentally unsuitable solvents and diluents. tetraacetic acid, and a brightener. The solution is indi
cated to be particularly useful for the pretreatment of
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION ferrous metals which are destined to be plated. The
In the past few decades the use of vpetroleum and its formulation is utilized at a temperature which is slightly
many by-products, has increased markedly to a point above ambient and which may be cooled to demulsify
where the chemical industry has been challenged to said retaining oils prior to disposal. The linear ethoxyl
develop more effective and safer measures which will ated alcohols disclosed in the patent are organic phos
preclude injury to the population and to the environ phate ester complexes.
ment. 25 It is therefore an object of the present invention to
Since the chemical industry and our economy, in provide a novel degreaser composition which is partic
general, rely so heavily on petroleum and its by‘pro ularly useful for cleaning engines, tanks, and processing
ducts, there has been a tremendous need to develop a equipment in both the marine and refining industries.
degreaser composition, which can effectively clean the Another object of the present invention is to provide a
various types of oils usually encountered in marine and degreaser composition which is water-based and essen
re?ning equipment, such as engines, ship decks, tanks tially nontoxic. A further object of this invention is to
and the like, and yet does not possess the numerous provide a degreaser composition which avoids the used
disadvantages which are inherent in the petroleum of organic diluents and other petroleum based solvents.
based degreasers currently in use. A still further object of the present invention is to pro
Although a wide variey of detergent and degreaser vide a degreaser compostion which is ideally suited
compositions have been disclosed in the literature, to where a heavy duty degreaser is required. Another
object of the present invention is to provide a degreas
date, none of the products disclosed has been entirely ing composition which has the ability of a pretroleum
satisfactory for use in the marine and oil re?ning indus based degreaser and yet does not contain petroleum or
tries where a heavy duty degreaser is routinely needed other toxic or harzardeous solvents. A further object is
for cleaning. Known detergent formulations are either to provide a degreaser composition which does not
too weak or ineffective for use in heavy duty cleaning leave a residue on the surface treated. These and other
operations, or if capable of use for such appplications, objects will readily become apparent to those skilled in
contain harsh, petroleum based components which are the art in the light of the teaching herein set forth.
toxic, do not readily degrade and are usually environ
mentally unsuitable for large scale industrial use. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A variety of surfactants, builders and other additives In its broad aspect, the present invention is directed
have been employed in cleaning compositions but to to a novel, heavy duty degreaser composition which is
date known has been employed in the unique combina water-based, essentially nontoxic, biodegradable and
tion as in the composition of the present invention and has no ?ash point. The degreaser composition of this
which have been found to be particularly useful as a invention is comprised of, in per cent by weight:.
heavy duty degreaser for the marine and re?ning indus (1) from about 7 to about 12 percent of a mixture of
tries. For applications in other areas numerous products C9 to C11 primary alcohol ethoxylates containing from
are on the market which contain speci?c combination of about 4 to about 8 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of
ingredients which are indicated to be suitable for the 55 alcohol;
particular use. (2) from about 2 to about 5 percent of an alkali metal
For instance, in U.S. pat. No. 4,380,268 which issued silicate;
to K. R. Martin on Apr. 19, 1983, there is disclosed and (3) from about 0.5 to about 2 percent of a liquid alka
claimed a petroleum and gas well enhancement agent. It line metal hydroxide solution;
is stated in the patent that the recovery of oil and gas is 60 (4) from about 1.5 to about 4 percent of isopropanol;
enhanced by the removal of paraf?n and other hydro (5) from about 0.2 to about 1 percent of a tetraalkaline
carbons from wells by ?ushing the wells with water metal salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid tetrahy
containing a polymer of a primary alcohol and ethylene drate; and
oxide plus sodium silicate. (6) the balance water.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,414,128 issued on Nov. 8, 1983 to P. 65
C. E. Gof?net and claims liquid detergent compositions DETAILED DISCUSSION OF THE INVENTION
which are indicated to be particularly useful as hard As indicated above, the composition of the present
surface cleaners for general household purposes. The invention is comprised of a unique combination of at
 4,772,415
3 4
least ?ve ingredients dissolved in an aqueous vehicle. A wide variety of thickening agents can be employed
Since the active ingredients of the composition are con in the preparation of the degreaser composition of the
tained in an aqueous medium, the use of petroleum present invention. In general, the preferred thickening
based components such as solvents and diluents which agents are the cellulosic polymers, including the alkyl
can be toxic and environmentally undesireable are cellulose ethers, hdroxyalkyl cellulose ethers and the
avoided. Moreover, the composition even in concen carboxyalkyl cellulose ethers. Illustrative cellulosic
trated form, has essentially no flash point and accord polymers, include but are not limited to hydroxymethyl
ingly presents no ?re hazards in storage, transportation, cellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, and the like. Also
or use as opposed to petroleum based degreasers cur suitable are the polyalkylene glycols such as polyethyl
rently in use. It will be evident from the formulation set ene glycol, the polyethylene oxides, and the like.
forth above, that the novel degreaser of this invention Natural polymeric thickeners can also be employed
contains no chlorinated hydrocarbons. Additionally, such as the gum based thickeners, i.e., guar gum and its
the use of the composition of this invention does not derivatives, gum tragacanth and the like.
leave a residue on the treated surface and thus it is par The novel degreaser composition of the present in
ticularly attractive for cleaning containers, tanks and 5 vention can, if desired, also contain other additives such
the like where a residue free surface is desired. as dyes, or other coloring agents, perfumes, abrasives,
Hence, for the ?rst time, one need not resort to the siliceous materials, mineral materials, such as pumice or
use of highly ?ammable, toxic, nonbiodegradeable, perlite, diatomaceous earth and a variety of clays.
Additionally it may be desireable or advantageous to
petroleum-based degreaser in those instances where a
20 use the composition as a foam and dispense it from a
heavy duty cleaning compostion is required. closed system such as an aerosol container. Since no
It has been observed that in order to provide a de
toxic or petroleum based solvents are present, the com
greaser composition useful for heavy duty cleaning, position is easily formulated for such applications.
particularly in the marine and re?ning industries, the The preparation of the degreaser composition of the
concentration of the active ingredients should be within present invention is accomplished be mixing the various
the weight percentages indicated. Thus, the composi ingredients in the weight percentages indicated. Since
tion is comprised of, in increasing order of concentra all of the components are essentially water soluble, with
tion, (a) from about 0.2 to about 1 weight percent of a the alcohol ethoxylate and isopropanol already in liquid
tetra-alkaline metal salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic form, blending the various components presents no
acid (EDTA); (b) from about 0.5 to about 5 weight unusual problem. Unsual caution should of course be
percent of an alkali metal metasilicate which can be exercised in the prepraration of the alkaline metal hy
either anhydrous or the pentahydrate; (c) from about droxide solution and its dilution due to its exothermic
1.5 to about 4 weight percent of isopropanol; (d) from nature. Blending can be accomplished using available
about 7 to about 12 weight percent of the reaction prod blending equipment. As previously indicated, since no
uct of C9-C11 primary alcohol and ethylene oxide; and 35 highly volatile components’ are employed there are no
(e) the balance being water. ?ammability hazards in preparing the composition.
As indicated, the alcohol ethyoxylate is a mixture of Depending upon the particular use, the degreasing
C9-C1} alcohol ethoxylates with an average of about 6 composition of this invention can be used directly at full
moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. The prod strength or it can be diluted to a any desired concentra
uct is prepared from linear primary alcohols of nine to tion. The ?nal concentration at which the degreasing
eleven carbon atoms and is ethoxylated with ethylene composition is used will, of course, depend upon a vari
oxide by known techniques. It is slightly viscous liquid ety of factors such as mode of application, whether the
having a melting point of 42°~48° F. a pour point of 45° composition is heated or not, such as in steam applica
F., and is completely water soluble. The product is tions, length of contact time with the surface being
manufactured by the Shell Oil Company under the 45 cleaned and the like.
tradename Neodol. Accordingly, the composition can be employed at
The ethylenediaminetetraacidic acid salt employed in full strength for particularly heavy jobs, such as spills of
the degreaser composition of the present invention is heavy oils like Bunker C oil. However, one of the
preferably the tetrasodium salt tetrahydrate. This prod unique features of the degreasing composition of this
uct is a white solid soluble in water and is marketed by 50 invention is that degreasing is effective even at less than
the Dow Chemical Co. of Midland Michigan under the full strength and even when the material being removed
tradename Versene R. - is particularly dif?cult to solubilize. For example, it has
Although the composition of this invention is prefera been observed that the degreaser composition of the
ble utilized as the aforementioned formulation, the present invention when diluted with 5 to 10 parts of
novel degreaser composition can, if desired, contain 55 water is still very effective for heavy duty cleaning
other components or additives as long as they do not pruposes. Thus for extra heavy duty cleaning such as
adversely effect the degreasing properties of the com required for holding tanks, engines, cosmoline, carbon
position. on engine heads, Bunker C oil, or grease traps, the de
For example, it may be desireable to employ thicken greaser composition can be used at full strength or at a
ing agents to insure prolonged contact of the composi 60 l to 5 dilution with water. For heavy duty cleaning
tion with the surface containing the oil or grease mate such as decks, platforms, engine room, bulkheads, soil
rial. In many instances the surfaces may be of an odd stained concrete, Degas tanks and barge compartments,
shape or in dif?cult to reach places, such as engine petroleum base drilling muds, creosote, and the like, a 5
parts, tank interiors, and the like. Moreover, the surface to 10 dilution of the degreaser composition has been
to be cleaned may not be level or horizontal and it 65 found to be satisfactory.
would be advantageous to delay the composition from Normal cleaning such as bilges, exhaust stack smoke.
flowing away from such surfaces before the degreasing rubber clothing, oil-soaked ground and beach sand,
of the surface can be completed. mold, mildew, algae, water-line scum, teakwood decks,
 4,772,415
5 6
carpeting and the like, can be accomplished with a 3. The water-based heavy duty degreaser composi
dilution of from 10 to 20 times that of the concentrated tion of.claim 1 wherein said alcohol ethoxylates contain
composition. 6 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.
In practice, the degreaser composition of the present 4. The water-based heavy duty degreaser composi
invention is used in the same manner as conventional 5 tion of claim 1 wherein said alkali metasilicate is sodium
cleaning agents, However, in ,view of its unique formu metasilicate.
lation a lesser amount, or lower concentration may 5. The water-based heavy duty degreaser composi
achieve the same results as that obtained with commer tion of claim 1 wherein said alkali metal hydroxide is
cially available degreaser compositions. Since the com sodium hydroxide.
position is water based, no problems are encountered in 6. The water-based heavy duty degreaser composi
heating the solution and in spraying the solution in those tion of claim 1 wherein said tetrahydrate is tetrasodium
applications wherein such procedures are desired. For ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid tetrahydrate.
instance, the use of the degreaser composition of the
7. The water-based heavy duty degreaser composi
tion of claim 1 wherein said composition is diluted with
present invention allows hot work to continue in areas from about 1 to about 5 parts of water per part of said
adjacent to where the cleaning is done since there is no degreasing composition.
danger of ?re due to the cleaning composition. 8. The water-based heavy duty degreaser composi
Accordingly, the degreaser composition can be em tion of claim 1 wherein said composition is diluted with
ployed cold or as a hot pressure wash in conjunction from about 5 to about 10 parts of water per part of said
with steam cleaning. Thus the degreaser composition 20 degreasing composition.
can be drawn from an auxilary source and metered into 9. The water-based heavy duty degreaser composi
water or steam to give the proper dilution at the nozzle. tion of claim 1 wherein said composition is diluted with
It is accordingly evident from the foregoing descrip from about 10 to about 20 parts of water per part of said
tion that the degreaser composition of this invention degreasing composition.
contains no phosphates, chlorinated hydrocarbon sol 25 10. The water-based heavy duty degreaser composi
vents, or other halogen containing compounds. More tion of claim 1 wherein said composition is diluted with
over, the composition while in?nitely soluble in water, from about 5 to about 50 parts of water per part of said
is also soluble in a 3 percent saline solution. degreasing composition. .
The composition is therefore useful for the removal 11. A water-based heavy duty degreaser composition
of light distillates, mineral oils, heavy grease and the useful for cleaning oil and grease from surfaces, said
like. It has also been observed that the degreaser com composition being consisting essentially of of by
position is effective in cleaning not only mineral oils, weight:
but oils of a vegetable or animal origin. (1) about 9 percent of a mixture of linear C9 to C11
As indicated the degreaser composition can be uti primary alcohol ethoxylates having an average of
lized with tank cleaning equipment, pressures washers, 35 about 6 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alco
steam machine and the like and is particulary efficient hol;
for cleaning and degreasing machine parts, diesel engine (2) about 3.7 percent of an alkali metal silicate;
exteriors, compressor exteriors, tank tops, bulkheads, (3) about 1 percent of a 50 weight percent liquid
decks, plates and general deck and engine room de alakine metal hydroxide solution;
greasing-and the like. (4) about 2.5 percent of isopropanol;
Although the invention has been illustrated by the (5) about 0.3 percent of a tetrasodium salt of ethylene
preceding description, it is not to be construed as being diaminetetraacetic acid tetrahydrate; and
limited to the materials disclosed, but rather the inven (6) the balance water.
tion is directed to the generic area as hereinbefore dis 12. a process for cleaning oil and grease from surfaces
closed. Various modifications can be made without 45 which comprised contacting said oil with the water
departing from the spirit or scope thereof. based heavy duty degreaser composition consisting
What is claimed is: essentially of of:
(1) from about 7 to about 12 percent of a mixture of
1. A water-based heavy duty degreaser composition C9 to C11 primary alcohol ethoxylates containing
useful for cleaning oil and grease from surfaces, said 50 from about 4 to about 8 moles of ethylene oxide per
composition being consisting essentially of of by mole of alcohol;
weight: _
(2from about 2 to about 5 percent of an alkali metal
(1) from about 7 to about 12 per cent of a mixture of silicate ;
C9 to C11 primary alcohol ethoxylates containing (3) from about 0.5 to about 2 percent of a liquid alka
from about 4 to about 8 moles of ethylene oxide per 55 line metal hydroxide vsolution;
mole of alcohol; ' (4) from about 1.5 to about 4 percent of isopropanol;
(2) from about 2 to about 5 percent of an alkali metal (5) from about 0.2 to about 1 percent of a tetraalkaline
silicate; metal salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid tetra
(3) from about 0.5 to about 2 percent of a liquid alka hydrate; and
line metal hydroxide solution; 60 (6) the balance water, and thereafter washing said
(4) from about 1.5 to about 4 percent of isopropanol; surface with water.
(5) from about 0.2 to about 1 percent of a tetraalkaline 13. A process for cleaning oil and grease from sur
metal salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid tetra faces which comprised contacting said oil and grease
hydrate; and with a composition consisting essentially of of by
(6) the balance water. 65 weight:
2. The water-based heavy duty degreaser composi (1) about 9 percent of a mixture of linear C9 to C11
tion of claim 1 where said primary alcohol ethoxylates primary alcohol ethoxylates having an a of about 6
are linear. moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol;
 4,772,41 5
7 8
(2) about 3.7 percent of an alkali metal silicate; (6) the balapce water’ and thereafter washmg sald
surface wlth water.
(3) about 1 percent of a 50 weight percent liquid 14. The process of claim 12 wherein said oil is Bunker
alkaline metal hydroxide solution' c crude oil‘
’ Lil 15. The process of claim 13 wherein said oil is present
(4) about 2.5 percent of isopropanol; in a re?ning processing equipment.
16. The process of claim 13 wherein said oil is present
(5) about 0.3 percent of a tetrasodium salt of ethylene in marine equipment.
:e:
diaminetetraacetic acid tetrahydrate; * * * *

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