US2036848A - Metal cleansing composition and method - Google Patents

Description

Eli

. w anions METAL CLEANSING comrosmou AND.

Ms'rnoo Frank Amthor, East Rutherford, and George 0,

Reinhard, Wood-Ridge, hi. it,

asslgnoro to American Colloid Corporation, New York, N. y,

- a corporation of New York Applicati n September a, rest,

Serial No, 88%,824L

No Drawing.

ii on.

This invention rchtes to improvements in methods for the cleansing of metals and metal parts which have become fouled by the accumu-- are not readily accessible so that it is desirable to accomp the cleansing thereof, without the aid of any mechanical device whatsoever eircept rah incidental mechanical aid as may be derived from the circulation of the etc i 1 u solution itself. I

hletal parts such as automobile radiator cores and the hire become fouled by the accumulation on the suriace thereof, of dirt, rust, oiland grease. parts are not readily accessible so that a practical chemical means for cleansing is desired. ilramination shows that the solid particles as dirt and rust are attached to the surfaceby means of a film of oil or grease in ahighly emulsified state with water and in order to remove such foreign material, it is essential-to remove the layer of emulsified grease or oil,

"Where organic solvents are used for the cleansing of such metal parts as the interiors of automobile radiators, practical culties arise from the standpoint or cost and manipulation and the results are not entirely emcacious. The oil leave a deposit or a on which additional dirt would accumulate most readily. Where oil emulsions or emulsifying agents alone are used, the bond hetween the greasing accumulation and the metal walls is not suficiently weakened to render such agencies practical. I

it is among the objects at the invention to prowide compositions of matter, easily prepared iii-om inerrpensive ingredients, which do not lose their eilicacy, though used long after preparation thereof, which may be easily introduced into the cooling circulating systems of internal combustion engines for uuiclsly and efiectlvely removing the accumulation oil oil, grease, dirt or rust from metalparts that are subjected to ter contact,

on account of their construction, such which composition will not boil at low temperatures and will involve no fire hazard.

it is among other objects of the invention to provide a method for cleansing metal parts, such ;as those of cooling circulating systems of internal combustion engines that have become fouled by the accumulation of oil, grease, dirt or rust, by which method a relatively effective reaction is caused to talre place as the cleansing composition reaches the accumulation for edeclive removal of the latter. 1 I

Broadly we accomplish. the desired result by edecting and permitting a combination directly at the parts to be cleansed, of two distinct complementary ingredients ofan emulsifying agent,

all in the presence of an organic solvent.

The invention is preferably carried, out by the use of a fatty acid, as one of the ingredients of the emulsifying agent, which would be saponified 1 directly at the parts to be cleansed, by the reaction with the complementary or allralinef ingredient.

In a preferred application, according to our invention, the two distinct ingredients of the emulsifying agent, areapplied successively. in

the first stme, the accumulation tobe removed is conditioned, for edective action-thereon of the.

A reaction composition applied in the second stage.

its the conditioning composition we preferably use an organic solvent complex including one or more organic oil solvents together with a mutually oil and solvent-soluble substance which is capable of reacting with an alkaline compound to form anemulsifying agent. The solvent complex preferably includes a fatty acid, as the mutually oil and solvent-soluble substance, the ingredients being preferably so chosen that the specific gravity of the mixture is substantially that at water.

hy the use of this'conditioning composition in 4,0

relatively smallamounts mixed with, but not emulsified in a large amount of Water, the oil and grease attached to the metal parts is brought into a state of mobility. In the second stage,

there is used an alkaline compound which can in the first stage is simply introduced into the water-filled radiator, and the engine. is allowed to run, thereby to cause the composition to clrcte late with the water for a period of time. There upon, the second stage of the operation is per formed by adding to the circulating liquor of the first stage, a solution of an alkaline compound or an alkaline compound itself, in an amount in excess of that required to combine with the emulsifiable material added in the first stage, the mass being kept in circulation at an elevated temperature until all of the oil and grease has been loosened from the metal parts. The liquor is then drained out and the system flushed with wa-.- ter until thoroughly cleaned.

By the use of a small amount of organic solvent or solvent complex, coarsely dispersed but not emulsified, in a large amount of water, the bond between the emulsified grease and the metal surface is weakened. By coarse dispersion we means dispersion such that a large proportion of the oil will separate out in a relatively short time from the quiescent mixture. The addition to the mixture of an oil soluble material capable of reacting with alkali increases the emulsification of the grease which takes place during the second stage, for emulsification is apparently efiected thereby throughout the entire mass so as to produce a state in which the grease particles seem entirely to lose their power of adherence. Thus, there is rapidly and inexpensively obtained, a degree of cleansing superior to that accomplished where either organic solvents alone or emulsions of such solvents in alkaline or saponaceous liquors are used.

The conditioning composition for the first stage, preferably includes a mixture comprising a hydrocarbon solvent of specific gravity less than water, a halogenated hydrocarbon solvent of specific gravity greater than water, and a fatty acid or vegetable oil or animal soap stock soluble in such hydrocarbon and halogenated hydrocarbon and more or less miscible with the oil or grease present, the relative proportions ofsuch ingredients being preferably so determined that the specific gravity of the final mixture is substantially equal to that of water.

Specifically, we may employ 1400 partsbyvolume of kerosene, 2275 parts of ortho-dichlorbenzol and 350 parts of oleic acid or red. oil. This mixture is a substantially anhydrous liquid of the fluidity of a light oil.

In the example cited, the kerosene may be replaced by any other hydrocarbon solvent, as benzene or toluene, or any other water immiscible oil solvent such as a higher alcohol. In general, we prefer to use a solvent which does not boil at low temperatures and thus admits of use in hot radiator liquors. The ortho-dichlorbenzol may be replaced in whole or in part by any other halogenated hydrocarbon, as carbon tetrachloride, or even a non-halogenated oil solvent of proper specific gravity, but wepreier to usea halogenated compound because of the lessening of the fire risk inherent in the use of such compounds. For the red oil of the example cited above, we may substituteany other cheap fatty acid which may be available or any cheap saponiflable vegetable oil, such as cotton seed, cocoanut or castor oil or an animal soap stock comprising a fat or ofl, such as stearine.

The reaction composition applied in the sec- 0nd stage comprises an alkaline compound which is capable of reacting with the fatty acid or animal or vegetable oil or fat used in the mixture of the first stage to form a soap or an emulsion therewith; Specifically, sodium metasilicate may be used for this purpose, either in solid form vor in solution, as it aifords a particularly stable emulsion. The meta-silicate o! sodamay, how- 5 ever, be replaced by any of a wide range of other for the second stage.

alkaline compounds, such as caustic soda, trisodium phosphate, organic amines, hydroxylated amines or thelike.

It is preferred to market our cleansing compositions in a composite wrapper including a package of the conditioning composition for the first stage, and a package of the reaction compound Ordinarily, there will be approximately four parts by weight of the first or conditioning composition to one part by weight of the second or reacting compound. For a sixteen quart radiator, eight ounces of the preferred conditioning composition would, accordingly, be used to two ounces of the second or reaction compound. Preferably, after introduction of the conditioning composition for the first-stage into the circulating system, the water is allowed to circulate by the operation of the water pump for about thirty minutes, at such temperature as the solution will acquire. Thereupon, the second or reaction compound-is added and the circulation is maintained for about another ten to twenty minutes. The cleansing liquor may thereupon be drained, and the radiator flushed with water until all loosened dirt, rust and grease have been washed out.

In the operation set forth, the first or conditioning composition being homogeneously distributed in the water within the radiator, since its specific gravity is that of water, effectively enters into intimate engagement with the accumulation on the metal parts, especially as the grease solvent thereof has substantial wetting powers. The conditioning composition thus thoroughly soaks into the grease accumulation, fiuils it up some what and tends to loosen it. The alkaline or re action compound added after this conditioning of the accumulation has occurred, promptly reacts with the red oil or equivalent ingredients of the conditioning composition and may also react with some or all of the grease and oil to be removed from the wall, to form therewith either an emulsion or a soap. The emulsifying or saponiiying reaction between the two batches of cleanser, occurs effectively in situ at the metal parts, so that the accumulation becomes chemically and/or mechanically combined with the cleansing compound as the ingredients thereof react with each other, and thus the accumulation is entrained with the liquor. The excess of the alkaline compound of the second or reaction stage, not only assures an effective and complete reaction but also serves to soften the water, thereby to avoid any scale formation. 4

7 Although we have illustrated and described our improved process, in its application'to the removal of dirt, rust and grease frompautomobile radiator cores, we do not wish to limit ourselves to I and are well suited ,to meet the requirements of' practical use. I

As many changes could be made in the above composition and method, and many apparently widely diiferent embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting a mixture including a hydrocarbon solvent of specific gravity less than that of water, a halogenated hydrocarbon solvent of specific gravity greater than that 01 water and an oleaginous soap stock soluble in such hydrocarbons and miscible with the oleaginous ingredients to he removed,

said mixture forming a coarse dispersion in water ,andheing per se neither soluble nor emulsifiable therewith and after said compositionhas acted,

adding to -the liquor a water soluble alkali capable of combining with the said heap stock'as well w the accumulation to he removed in one of the operations designated saponlfication. 7

- h. The method recited in claim .l in which the I ingredients of the mixture, other than the alkaspecific gravity less than that of water, a halo-1 genated hydrocarbon solvent or specific gravity greater than that of water and oleaginous soap line material, are in proportion such as to have 'suhstantially'the specific gravity of water. o. The method of cleansing metal parts fouled hr; oleaglnous accumulation thereon; which conclots in passing thereover a current" of water and a mixture including a hydrocarbon solvent of stock soluhle in said hydrocarbons and miscible with the oleaginous ingredients to he removed, said mixture forming a coarse dispersion in water and being per se neither soluble nor emulsiflable therewith and after said composition has acted, passing over themetal parts the said current of wateri with-water soluhlealkali added thereto.

d. The method of cleansing the water circulatlug system of an internal combustion engine,

which consists in adding to the circulating water a mixture including a grease solvent and a sapontilable oil, "which mixture per se is neither soluble in nor crnulsiilable with water permitting the liquor to circulate fora period oi time and then adding thereto a water soluble alkaline substance capable oif saponiiylng certain of the oleaginous constituents as well as certain of the oleaginous constituents oi the accumulation to be removed tram the walls oithe system.

o. The method oi cleaslng the walls oi the water circulating system oi an internal combustlon engine, which consists in adding tdthe water, a mixture oi substantially the specific gravity ol water, including a grease solvent ol the group consisting of kerosene, benzene, and toluene, and an emulsilyingagent oi the group consisting ot fatty acid, vegetable and fats and oils, which per se is neither soluble in nor emulslnahle with water and after the circulation has proceeded for a period of time adding to'the liquor, an alkali or the group consisting oi sodium meta-silicate, tn-sodium phosphate and caustic soda and continuing the circulation of the honor for a period or time, I

dz'The method of removing accumulation of grease, oil, rust and dirt from the water clrc'ulat: ing system of an internal combustion engine, which method consists in adding to the circulating water, a conditioning composition comprising 1400 parts by volume of kerosene. 2275 parts of ortho-flichl rb nzol. and 350' parts of oleic acid said composition per so being neither soluble in nor emulsiflable with water permitting the water to clrculateior a period in the neighborhood lav emulsincation and.

with the said metal parts.

9. A composition useful in one step of cleansing.

which consists in circulating water over the said metal parts having a, conditioning composition distributed therein, the said composition and the ingredients thereof; being per se neither soluble in nor emulsinable therewith and comprising mutually oil and solvent soluble soap stock and an organic oil and grease solvent, said composition forming a coarse dispersion in said carrier, and then applying a water soluble alkali and maintalning the carrier and the emulsion thus lormed therewith in active movement in contact with the said metal parts. 1 o

8. 'lhe method of cle metal parts fouled by deposit thereon of oleaginous accumulation which consists in circulating water over the said metal parts having a conditioning composition distributed therein, the said composition and the ingredients thereof being per se neither soluble in nor emulsiflable therewlthand including organic oil and grease solventsoluble soap stools, said-composition forming a coarse dispersion in water, and then applying a water soluble alkali capable of promoting emulslflcatlon of an ingredient of said conditioning composition as well as an ingredient of the accumulation to be re-- o utes at such temperature as it will ac-' moved and maintaining the carrier and the emulsion thus formed in active movement in contact metal parts that have become fouled with oleaglnous accumulation, said composition comprising a hydrocarbon solvent, of specific gravity less 4 than one, a halogenated hydrocarbon solvent of gredient of the group consisting of fattyacids,

vegetable and animal soap stock, soluble in said hydrocarbon, said ingredients being in proportion such that the mixture has substantially the specific gravity of water said composltlonhelng ol character which per se is neither soluble in nor emulsiflable with water.

10. A composition useful in one step of cloudsing metal parts that have become fouled with oleaginous accumulation, said composition com prising a mixture of kerosene, orthodlchlorhenaol and red oil and? characterised by log a coarse dispersion in water without solution or emulsiflcation thereot e ingredients of said composition being in proportion such that the mixture has substantially the specific gravity oil water ll. a composition uselul in one step'ol cleans lng metal parts that have become louled with oleaginous accumulation, said composition oomprising a mixture by vole Mild parts oil herosene, 2275 parts of ortho-dlchlorhenzol and 35d parts of oleic acid and characterized by forming in an aqueous carrier takes the form oi a coarse. dispersion which, when passed over themetal.

parts, sottens'the oleaglnous accumulation so that the subsequent addition or water soluble alkaliellect-iveiy emulsifles and removes the accumulation. 1

' FRANK AM'I'HOR.

GEORGE C. l I