Engine degreaser formulation pdf

A novel foam-type engine degreaser composition has been developed for externally cleaning automotive engines. This opaque viscous emulsion uses a significant portion of water instead of petrochemical solvents, addressing the long-standing issue of engine dirt, oil, and grease accumulation. The problem is twofold: not only do such accumulations
hinder heat transfer, fuel efficiency, and oil use, but they also stain clothing when working on engines. Various techniques have been employed to clean engines in situ without disassembling them, including steam cleaning, hose flushing, physical scraping, and liquid applications. However, existing chemical solvent preparations face the challenge of
dripping or running off quickly before emulsifying dirt, oil, and grease effectively. The thin consistency of middle and upper distillates like kerosine and naphtha makes them less effective on engine undersides. Known prior art external engine cleaning compositions are generally clear liquids, making it difficult to apply them evenly, leading to
excessive usage and unnecessary re-applications. In contrast, the present invention offers a foam-type degreaser composition that addresses these limitations by incorporating water into the emulsion. This reduces the need for expensive petrochemical solvents and eliminates the requirement for an additional water flushing step. The goal is to create
a superior engine cleaning solution. To achieve this, we aim to develop an aerosol package containing an oil and water emulsion-based engine degreaser composition that stands out from existing products in several ways. Firstly, our invention provides a cleaner that contains between 20% to 85% water, making it more cost-effective to produce
compared to traditional external engine cleaners. Secondly, our solution has a thicker consistency and clinging foam characteristic, allowing it to remain on the engine's surfaces for extended periods, thereby enhancing its cleaning performance. Moreover, the opaque nature of our cleaner enables users to easily track the areas being cleaned, which is
not the case with clear solutions. Additionally, when applied externally, our composition forms a foaming cleaner that doesn't require additional water to boost its effectiveness. Furthermore, we've designed our solution to have controllable emulsifying capacity and viscosity. By adding controlled amounts of water to middle distillate degreasers like
kerosine, naphtha, fuel oil, or heavy naphtha, we create an emulsion that thickens the solvents and induces foaming. This prolonged contact with grease deposits results in a more thorough cleaning experience compared to previous engine degreaser solutions that simply splash and run off. The opaque nature of our cleaner also simplifies the
application process, reducing waste due to double applications and making it easier to monitor during use. Overall, our invention leads to significant economic savings by substituting water for more expensive petrochemical solvents used in traditional engine cleaners. The engine degreaser of the present invention utilizes water as its base, reducing
overall reliance on petrochemicals in line with current energy-saving objectives. The composition can be applied from various dispensers, including aerosol cans and push-button spray bottles. A typical formulation involves 20-80% kerosine or similar solvents, 20-85% water, 2-15% surfactant, and 5-15% of specific solvents like 1,1,1 trichloroethane
and butyl cellosolve. The addition of co-solvents like butyl cellosolve can help control the release rate of middle distillates in an emulsion. By adjusting the solvent system and co-solvent amount, the emulsification rate can be tailored to specific applications. The composition's consistency can range from water-like to a thick paste, with examples
including: Organic co-solvents (0-15%) Halogenated organic solvents (0-50%) Aliphatic solvents (0-45%) Aromatic solvents (0-20%) Emulsifiers (2-12%) Water (balance) Two specific approaches are possible within this composition. The first involves an oil-water emulsion thickened with fuel oil, 1,1,1 trichloroethane, and butyl cellosolve, suitable for
aerosol packages or pump sprays. The second approach relies on surfactants/emulsifiers to create a foam that can be expelled through an aerosol propellant. An example of this is: Sodium lauryl sulfate (3%), Triethanolamine (1%), Xylene (13%), Butylcellosolve (1%), Water (82%) - This composition has shown to be more effective than prior known art
in cleaning engines, with the addition of water imparting foaming and milky opaque qualities that enhance cleaning action and monitoring. The use of water also reduces petrochemical usage, resulting in cost savings. This invention relates to a heavy-duty degreaser composition suitable for marine and refining industries. In one aspect, it's particularly
useful for cleaning containers, engines, pipes, and processing equipment. Additionally, this non-petroleum-based composition is biodegradable, free of toxic solvents, and ideal for large-scale industrial applications. In the past, the reliance on petroleum products has led to a need for safer and more effective measures to prevent environmental harm.
The development of a degreaser composition that can effectively clean various types of oils in marine and refining equipment without the disadvantages of petroleum-based products is crucial. Although numerous detergent and degreaser compositions have been disclosed, none has been entirely satisfactory for use in these industries where heavy-
duty cleaning is required. A novel heavy-duty degreaser composition has been developed, offering a unique combination of surfactants, builders, and additives that effectively tackle tough cleaning tasks in various industries. Unlike existing formulations, this composition avoids harsh petroleum-based components, ensuring a safer and more
environmentally friendly solution for large-scale industrial use. The present invention builds upon the work of previous patents, such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,380,268, 4,414,128, and 4,028,281, which disclose various cleaning compositions suitable for specific applications. These compositions typically employ a combination of ingredients tailored to
address particular challenges, such as enhancing oil recovery or cleaning metal surfaces. However, the present invention uniquely brings together a carefully selected blend of surfactants, builders, and additives that have been found particularly effective in heavy-duty degreasing operations, making it an attractive solution for industries like marine
and refining. This novel composition offers improved performance, safety, and environmental suitability, setting it apart from existing products on the market. The invention's objectives are twofold: to provide a heavy-duty degreaser that is both highly effective and environmentally responsible. To achieve this, the composition must be capable of
handling complex cleaning tasks while minimizing its impact on the environment and ensuring worker safety. A novel, heavy-duty degreaser composition has been developed, which is water-based, essentially nontoxic, biodegradable, and has no flash point. The composition is designed to effectively clean engines, tanks, and processing equipment in
the marine and refining industries without using organic diluents or petroleum-based solvents. It achieves this by combining a mixture of C9-C11 primary alcohol ethoxylates, alkali metal silicate, liquid alkaline metal hydroxide solution, isopropanol, and tetraalkaline metal salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid tetrahydrate in an aqueous vehicle. This
innovative composition avoids the use of chlorinated hydrocarbons and leaves no residue on treated surfaces, making it particularly suitable for cleaning containers, tanks, and other equipment where a residue-free surface is desired. To address situations requiring a heavy-duty cleaning composition, it's recommended to utilize a degreaser that
combines the benefits of highly flammable, toxic, non-biodegradable petroleum-based products with a unique blend of active ingredients. The optimal concentration range for these components is specified. The degreaser composition consists of five primary components: 1. Tetra-alkaline metal salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) - 0.2 to 1
weight percent 2. Alkali metal metasilicate (anhydrous or pentahydrate) - 0.5 to 5 weight percent 3. Isopropanol - 1.5 to 4 weight percent 4. Reaction product of C9-C11 primary alcohol and ethylene oxide - 7 to 12 weight percent 5. Water - the balance The reaction product is an average mixture of C9-C11 alcohol ethoxylates with approximately 6
moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. This degreaser composition, manufactured by Shell Oil Company under the tradename Neodol, has a unique set of properties: * Melting point: 42°-48°F * Pour point: 45°F * Completely water-soluble In addition to these primary components, the composition can also contain other additives or thickening
agents to enhance its performance. These may include cellulosic polymers like alkyl cellulose ethers, hydroxyalkyl cellulose ethers, and carboxyalkyl cellulose ethers. These additives enable prolonged contact with surfaces containing oil or grease material, even in difficult-to-reach areas such as engine parts or tank interiors. The novel degreaser
composition of this invention includes a range of cellulosic polymers, such as hydroxymethyl cellulose and carboxymethylcellulose, polyalkylene glycols like polyethylene glycol, and natural polymeric thickeners including gum-based thickeners like guar gum. The composition can also contain additives like dyes, perfumes, abrasives, siliceous materials,
mineral materials, and clays. It may be formulated as a foam and dispensed from an aerosol container, making it suitable for various applications without the use of toxic or petroleum-based solvents. The degreaser composition is prepared by mixing the ingredients in the indicated weight percentages. Since all components are water-soluble, blending
presents no unusual problem. However, caution should be exercised when preparing the alkaline metal hydroxide solution due to its exothermic nature. The final concentration of the degreaser composition will depend on factors like mode of application, temperature, and contact time with the surface being cleaned. The composition can be used at
full strength for heavy-duty cleaning or diluted with water for lighter cleaning purposes. It has been observed that the degreaser composition is still effective even when diluted with 5-10 parts of water, making it suitable for extra-heavy-duty cleaning applications like holding tanks, engines, cosmoline, carbon on engine heads, Bunker C oil, or grease
traps. For heavy-duty cleaning like decks and engine rooms, a 5-10 dilution with water works well. For normal cleaning tasks such as bilges and mold, a 10-20 dilution is sufficient. The degreaser composition can be used in the same way as regular cleaning agents but may require less amount or concentration to achieve the same results. Its water-
based formula allows for hot work near cleaning areas without fire risk, making it ideal for use with steam cleaning. The composition contains no phosphates, chlorinated hydrocarbons, or other halogen-containing compounds and is soluble in both water and a 3% saline solution. This makes it effective for removing mineral oils, heavy grease, and light
distillates, as well as oils from vegetables and animals. It can be used with various equipment like pressure washers, steam machines, and tank cleaning equipment for tasks such as degreasing machine parts, diesel engine exteriors, and compressor exteriors.