WO2022055438A1

WO2022055438A1 - Mixture for reducing particulate matters

Info

Publication number: WO2022055438A1
Application number: PCT/TH2021/000053
Authority: WO
Inventors: Suchada SUKRONG; Pasarapa TOWIWAT; Wanchai CHONGCHAROEN
Original assignee: Herb Guardian Co Ltd
Current assignee: Herb Guardian Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-09-10
Filing date: 2021-09-09
Publication date: 2022-03-17
Anticipated expiration: 2023-03-10

Abstract

A mixture for reducing particulate matters disclosed herein is a mixture in liquid form that can be sprayed as aerosol. The mixture comprises cationic polymer, surfactant, additive, and vehicle. When spraying into the atmosphere, this mixture reduces the amount of suspended particulate matters and prevents the particulate matters to be re-dispersed. Additionally, the disclosed mixture does not cause irritation when exposed to humans and animals.

Description

Title of the Invention

MIXTURE FOR REDUCING PARTICULATE MATTERS

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a mixture for reducing particulate matters.

Background of the invention

Air pollution is a physical hazard of the environment in which an air condition consists of particulates, biological molecules, and contaminants in a level that is higher than the normal level in the atmosphere, causing detrimental effects on human and animal health. Air pollution can be caused by natural sources such as climate change, bush fires, soil dust dispersions, and volcanic ash, as well as man-made sources, such as industrial plants, automobiles, waste incineration, construction, and document printing.

Particulates in the atmosphere, which are air pollutants, can be either large particles with a diameter of 50 microns or more and particulate matters with a diameter of less than 10 microns (also called “coarse dust”) and less than 2.5 microns (also called “fine dust”). These particulate matters tend to stay in the air longer than large particles and can be suspended for years with low external force on the dust such as airflow or wind. These particulate matters have effects on human and animal health and can cause diseases and symptoms when inhaled and exposed, such as respiratory diseases, cardiovascular disease, dermatitis, conjunctivitis, cough, sore throat, eye redness, rash, skin inflammation, wrinkled skin, and dull skin.

From the foregoing statement, the global awareness has risen concerning air pollution and continued to find solutions to eliminate and reduce particulate matters. In addition, many inventors have devised inventions and methods to eliminate and reduce such particulate matters.

Thai Patent No. 16187 entitled “Air Pollution and Particulate matter 2.5 treatment device using Venturi scrubber engineering technique” disclosed a method for capturing PM2.5 fine particles by water spraying the particulate matters in which the particulate matter-water mist mixture falls to a collective tank. By this method, it can help to reduce particulate matters in the atmosphere. Chinese Patent Application No. CN104324805A entitled “Method for capturing PM2.5 fine particles through water mist charged coagulation for electric precipitation” disclosed a method for capturing PM2.5 fine particles through a mechanism of water mist charged coagulation for electric precipitation and a device manufactured according to said mechanism whereby the removal efficiency of the fine particles in the atmosphere can reach over 95%.

However, the patent and patent application as mentioned above have limitation upon a household or an individual usage. They are not portable, require accessories, permanent installation, and are often used primarily in industrial applications.

Moreover, there have been more patent applications, patents and publications that disclose mixtures or compositions for particulate matters reduction.

Chinese Patent Application No. CN107774071A entitled ‘One kind efficiently removes PM2.5 sprays” disclosed a spray mixture that removes PM2.5 used for indoor air comprising of organic binders, inorganic salts, surfactants, penetrants, bactericides, and deionized water.

Chinese Patent Application No. CN106731495A entitled “A kind of composition and its application in air pollutants are removed” disclosed a composition that removes air pollutants. The composition comprises the root of kudzu vine, konjaku, Selaginella tamariscim, Chinese pine, the composition of Cathay poplar and its extract.

Summary of the invention

The present invention provides a novel mixture for reducing particulate matters, which is a non-toxic liquid mixture used as an aerosol. The mixture comprises cationic polymer in the amount of 0.001 - 5% by weight of the mixture, surfactant in the amount of 0.1 - 3% by weight of the mixture, additive in the amount of 0 - 4% by weight of the mixture, and vehicle in the amount of 88 - 99.899% by weight of the mixture. The mixture can be sprayed with a portable sprayer and spraying machines.

The objective of present invention is to produce a non-toxic liquid mixture that can be sprayed as an aerosol to reduce particulate matters in the atmosphere, as well as to allow the particulate matters to bind with the mixture and prevent them to re-disperse into the atmosphere. The mixture of present invention can be used in various locations, that is, indoor, outdoor, and semi-open environments when required; without causing an irritation to humans and animals upon contact with the mixture.

Brief description of the drawing

Figure 1 illustrates the characteristics of particulate matters that formed on the surface of the PTFE filter after spraying with the mixture according to the invention.

Figure 2 illustrates the characteristics of particulate matters that formed on the surface of the PVC filter after spraying with the mixture according to the invention.

The present invention relates to a mixture for reducing particulate matters in the form of a liquid spray as an aerosol, which is described according to the nature or appearance of the invention presented herein. Any characteristic or appearance in this invention described separately shall include the joint application of that characteristic or appearance and other characteristics or appearance therein as per this invention unless it has been explicitly stated otherwise.

Throughout the details of this invention, technical or scientific terms are defined and understood by any person ordinarily skilled in the art, unless otherwise stated clearly that it is specific to the present invention.

Any chemical, apparatus and instrument mentioned herein means any chemical, apparatus and instrument commonly used by any person ordinarily skilled in the art unless otherwise stated clearly that it is specific to the present invention.

The singular form of nouns or pronouns can be used to include its plural form, as appropriate and understood by any person ordinarily skilled in the art unless otherwise stated clearly that it is specific to the present invention.

The term “approximately” or “about” is used to denote that any numerical value can be ± 10% variable or possible deviation of the proposed numerical value, which may normally occur by any deviation of devices, equipment, calculation methods, or by any person who is operating such devices, equipment or preforming such methods. The tenn “particulates”, “floating dust”, are used as part of this detailed description of the invention and hence can be used interchangeably, which means particulate matters with particle size of less than 10 microns in diameter.

It is intended that the following detail be considered as exemplary only and is not intended to limit the scope and spirit of the present invention.

One aspect of the present invention is to provide a mixture for reducing particulate matters which are suspended in the atmosphere, wherein it is characterized in that said mixture comprising: a) cationic polymer in the amount of 0.001 - 5% by weight of the mixture, b) surfactant in the amount of 0.1 - 3% by weight of the mixture, c) additive in the amount of 0 - 4% by weight of the mixture, and d) vehicle in the amount of 88 - 99.899% by weight of the mixture.

More preferably, the cationic polymer is in the amount of 0.025 - 0.1% by weight of the mixture.

According to the present invention, the cationic polymer can be both naturally derived polymer and synthesized polymer that is selected from the group consisting of one or more cationic glycosaminoglycans, cationic dextrins, or one or more cationic dextrans.

The cationic polymer preferably is one or more cationic glycosaminoglycans selected from the group consisting of hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid derivatives, or a combination thereof.

More preferably, the surfactant is in the amount of 0.5 - 1 % by weight of the mixture.

According to the present invention, surfactant is selected from the group consisting of cationic surfactant such as benzalkonium chloride and benzetonium chloride non-ionic surfactant such as isodisate-7, fatty acid ethoxylate compound, fatty alcohol ethoxylate compound, poloxamer, poloxamine, alkylpolyglucoside compound, fatty alcohol, sorbitan ester, sorbhan ester derivatives, or a combination thereof

Zwitterion surfactant such as betaine, lecithin, or a combination thereof. The surfactant preferably is non-ionic surfactants selected from the group consisting of sorbitan ester, sorbitan ester derivatives, or a combination thereof, for example, Tween 20, Tween 40, Tween 60, Tween 80, Span 20, Span 40, Span 60, and Span 80.

More preferably, the surfactant is in the amount of 0 - 1. 16% by weight of the mixture.

According to the present invention, the additive is selected from the group consisting of particle binders such as sodium aluminate, potassium alum or a combination thereof; preservatives such as methy!paraben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben benzalkonium chloride or a combination thereof; flavoring agents such as natural essential oils, synthetic essential oils, or a combination thereof; antimicrobial agents (also called antibiotic agents) such as silver nanoparticles; antioxidants such as natural extracts and herbal extracts or a combination thereof.

The additives are listed as an example in each group classified according to their predominant properties, which can have one or more properties, such as essential oils, having both aromatic and antimicrobial properties at the same time. Some herbal extracts have antioxidation properties and reduce the number of airborne microbes at the same time.

More preferably, the vehicle is in the amount of 97.74 - 99.475% by weight of the mixture.

According to the present invention, the vehicle is selected from the group consisting of purified water and deionized water. The vehicle preferably is deionized water.

Particularly, in the selection of the individual substances, which are combined in order to form a mixture according to the present invention, is based on the toxicity of the substance to humans and animals with regard to human and animal toxicity, low or no toxicity, according to OECD Guidelines for Testing of Chemicals (OECD / OCDE 420, 2002), which is a chemical toxicity test method considered the survival rate and the toxic effects on laboratory animals in order to classify the toxicity level of substances, which provides the same system for classification and labeling of chemicals around the world (Globally Harmonized System for Classification and Labeling of Chemicals: GHS) as the following examples: - hyaluronic acid shows no toxicity on GHS system and not causing skin imitation upon contact and being biodegradable

- Tween 80 is a chemical with tow toxicity or no toxicity on GHS system after oral toxicity testing in mice and is found that it does not cause toxicity effect to mice.

Particulate matters reduction mechanism of the mixture

This mixture can reduce atmospheric particulate matters by agglomeration process. The means of the mechanism is to form larger particles by inducing the process with ion- induced agglomeration interaction together with viscosity-induced agglomeration. In addition, surfactant is used to facilitate particulate matters to be more hydrophilic.

When small particulate matters are agglomerated to form larger and heavier particulate matters, the accumulated particulate matters will Ml to the ground and can be removed by common cleaning methods such as mopping, etc. However, even if it has not been removed from the area, the accumulated particulate matters on the floor will not re- disperse into the atmosphere.

Examples

Hereinafter, the disclosure is to provide the mixture, the mixture composition, the preparation method, the experiments, and the analysis of the experimental results according to any of the above characteristics and aspects described according to the present invention for clearer demonstration and understanding by any person skilled in the art.

Preparation method of the mixture

Cationic hyaluronic acid is weighed in the quantities specified in Table 1 and is gradually add into the vehicle, in this case, is approximately 75 mL of pre-prepared deionized water. It is then stirred to form a homogeneous viscous and clear substance. Next, Tween 80 in the quantities specified in Table 1 is added into the substance with continuous stirring. Keep stirring until homogeneous substance is achieved, then added the desired additives such as preservatives in the quantities specified in Table 1 and continued to stir, adjusted the volume with deionized water to 100 mL and continued stirring until a homogeneous mixture is obtained. Table 1. Represents the compositions in various formulations of the mixture

The efficiency testing of mixtures in reducing particulate matters

The experiment is set to be conducted in a closed facility with dimensions: 2 m wide, 3 m long, 2 m high, with an internal volume of approximately 10 cubic meters under ambient humidify and temperature using incense as a particulate matter source.

To create particulate matter from the incense smoke, a quarter of the incense stick is lit. The incense is left in the enclosed facility for about 20 minutes, allowing the particulate matter to disperse around the area. When the particulate matter is measured to be approximately 200 micrograms/Cubic meter, the mixture in the formulations specified in Table 1 is sprayed with a volume of approximately 4-5 mL of die mixture for 10 minutes into the enclosed facility as an aerosol using an aerosol dispenser with a designated pressure at 2 bar inside the bottle attached to the nozzle. Then, it is left for 40 minutes for the droplets of the mixture to bind to the particulate matter. The concentration of particulate matters is measured by a well-known analysis method in die art such as Filtration- gravimetric analysis and Real time light scattering analysis. The efficiency of the mixture formulation is determined by die percentage of particulate matter removal which is in die ratio of particulate matters to the particulate matters reduction capacity.

Methods for efficacy analysis of exemplary mixture formulations for particulate matters reduction The analysis of particulate matter concentrations in the atmosphere using a standardized filtration-gravimetric method is the method to collect air samples by filtration with filter through an impactor. This is a USEPA certified method. The filter is then hygroscopic and determine the particulate matters content using a gravimetric method. Examples of the analysis according to the present invention is detailed below.

Particulate matters are collected after the mixture is sprayed as described in the test sample above by collecting it through a filter through the particle collector using a deployable particulate sampler set consisting of a suction pump. It has a flow rate of 10 liters / minute and the filters used consists of two types: polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The intake time is set to approximately 60 minutes, when the air suction is completed at the predetermined time, the two obtained filters are dried and analyzed. a. Analysis of particulate matter concentrations after spraying with the mixture according to the invention

The PTFE filters are weighed by a high-precision balance (Ultra microbalancer) model MSA2.7S-000-DM, Satourius, which resulted in Table 2.

Table 2. Percentage of particulate matter removal by various formulations of the mixtures in Table 1 by means of particle concentration analysis using filtration-gravimetric method.

The results of the study by comparing the formulations given in Table 1 with water as a control in Table 2 above found that all mixtures are clearly more effective in the removal of particulate matters than water. In addition, mixtures 3, 4, 5 and 7 have particulate matter removal efficiency up to about 70-80%. b. Analysis of physical properties of particulate matter treated with the mixture according to the invention

Both the PTFE and PVC filters are visualized with the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) model JEOL JSM-IT300 to observe the characteristics of the resulting particulate matters as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure I shows the characteristics of particulate matters formed on the surface of the PTFE filter obtained after spraying with the mixture according to the invention, compared with the water spray (control). It is found that at lOOOx magnification and 5000x magnification, with the water spray (left image), the particulate matters are settled on the fiber surface as convex cluster (arrow pointed). The image obtained from the mixture spray (right image) has a slime-like film formation obscuring the filter surface together with the particulate matters formed as large convex clusters (arrow pointed).

Figure 2 shows the characteristics of particulate matters formed on the surface of the PVC filter obtained after spraying with the mixture according to the invention, compared with the water spray (control). It is found that at 1000x magnification and 5000x magnification, with the water spray (left image), a large number of particulate matters is scattered on the surface with a small number of clusters (arrow pointed). The clusters are loose and uncomplex. The image obtained from the mixture spray (right image) has less particle dispersed, forming clusters of particles, and the bonding between clusters made them became larger agglomerates (arrow pointed).

From both Figures 1 and 2, it can be clearly concluded that the mixture according to the invention is effective in forming agglomeration of particulate matters in a compact and complex form. It is more effective in binding to particulate matters than water. All mixtures, compositions and/or methods disclosed herein, including the appended claims, are intended to cover the nature of the present invention that is possible through any performance, modification, or variation that remain in the scope of the invention although not mentioned or shown in the present invention. Therefore, a similar or equivalent approach, interchangeability manifested to any person ordinarily skilled in the art should be considered within the scope of the present invention, as evidenced throughout the detailed description of the present invention and appended claims.

The best method of the invention

As referred in the detailed description of the invention.

Claims

1. A mixture for reducing particulate matters which are suspended in the atmosphere, it is characterized in that said mixture comprising: a) cationic polymer in the amount of 0.001 - 5% by weight of the mixture, b) surfactant in the amount of 0.1 - 3% by weight of the mixture, c) additive in the amount of 0 - 4% by weight of the mixture, and d) vehicle in the amount of 88 - 99.899% by weight of the mixture.

2. The mixture for reducing particulate matters according to claim 1, wherein the mixture comprising: a) cationic polymer in the amount of 0.025 - 0.1% by weight of the mixture, b) surfactant in the amount of 0.5 - 1% by weight of the mixture, c) additive in the amount of 0 - 1.16% by weight of the mixture, and d) vehicle in the amount of 97.74 - 99.475% by weight of the mixture.

3. The mixture for reducing particulate matters according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cationic polymer is selected from the group consisting of one or more cationic glycosaminoglycans, one or more cationic dextrins, or one or more cationic dextrans.

4. The mixture for reducing particulate matters according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the cationic polymer is one or more cationic glycosaminoglycans selected from the group consisting of hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid derivatives, or a combination thereof.

5. The mixture for reducing particulate matters according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of cationic surfactants such as benzalkonium chloride and benzetonium chloride; non-ionic surfactants such as isodisate- 7, fatty acid ethoxylate compound, fatty alcohol ethoxy late compound, poloxamer, poloxamine, alkylpolyglucoside compound, fatty alcohol, sorbitan ester, sorbitan ester derivatives, or a combination thereof; Zwitterion surfactants such as betaine, lecithin, or a combination thereof.

6. The mixture for reducing particulate matters according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the surfactant is non-ionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of sorbitan ester, sorbitan ester derivatives or a combination thereof.

7. The mixture for reducing particulate matters according to any one of claims 1- 6, wherein the vehicle is selected from the group consisting of purified water and deionized water.

8. The mixture for reducing particulate matters according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the vehicle is deionized water.

9. The mixture for reducing particulate matters according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the additive is selected from the group consisting of particle binders, preservatives, flavoring agents, antimicrobial agents, antioxidants or a combination thereof.