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EP-4735391-A2 - ALKYL SULFONIC ACID COMPOSITIONS USEFUL IN DESCALING APPLICATIONS

EP4735391A2EP 4735391 A2EP4735391 A2EP 4735391A2EP-4735391-A2

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a composition for use in descaling applications, particularly industrial cleaning applications, and preferably hard surface cleaning applications. The composition of the present disclosure is an aqueous liquid solution comprising an acidic component and a surfactant system. The acidic component of the present disclosure at least comprises one or more alkyl sulfonic acids.

Inventors

  • ORTIZ, RAFAEL

Assignees

  • Jelmar LLC

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20240628

Claims (20)

  1. 1. A descaling acidic composition comprising an acidic component comprising one or more alkyl sulfonic acids and a surfactant system.
  2. 2. The descaling acidic composition of claim 1 , wherein the one or more alkyl sulfonic acids comprises one or more C1-C6 alkyl sulfonic acids.
  3. 3. The descaling acidic composition of claim 2, wherein the one or more C1-C6 alkyl sulfonic acids comprises methanesulfonic acid.
  4. 4. The descaling acidic composition of any preceding claim, wherein the composition further comprises an organic acid.
  5. 5. The descaling acidic composition of claim 4, wherein the organic acid is selected from the group consisting of lactic acid, formic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, itaconic acid, oxalic acid, terephthalic acid, citric acid, acetic acid, , malonic acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, hydroxyl succinic acid, adipic acid, octanoic acid, fumaric acid, itaconic acid, methacrylic acid, sulfamic acid, methylsulfamic acid, propionic acid, gluconic acid, glutamic acid, glutaric acid, glucaric acid, benzoic acid, tartaric acid, hydroxyacetic acid, and salicylic acid; or a mixture thereof.
  6. 6. The descaling acidic composition of any preceding claim, wherein the acidic component comprises about 0.1 to about 45 wt. % of the total composition.
  7. 7. The descaling composition of any preceding claim, wherein the surfactant system comprises one or more anionic surfactants, one or more nonionic surfactants, one or more amphoteric surfactants, or a mixture thereof.
  8. 8. The descaling composition of claim 7, wherein the anionic surfactant comprises an alkyl sulfate, preferably a sodium 2-ethylhexyl sulfate.
  9. 9. The descaling composition of claim 7, wherein the nonionic surfactant comprises an alcohol ethoxylate.
  10. 10. The descaling composition of claim 9, wherein the alcohol ethoxylate comprises or consists of an alkyl chain of C6, C7, C8, or C9, or a mixture thereof.
  11. 11 . The descaling composition of claim 7, wherein the amphoteric surfactant comprises alkylether hydroxypropyl sultaine or disodium caprylampho dipropionate.
  12. 12. The descaling composition of any preceding embodiment, wherein the composition further comprises a wetting agent. 42 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)
  13. 13. The descaling composition of claim 12, wherein the wetting agent comprises 0.01 to about 5 wt.% of the total composition.
  14. 14. The descaling composition of claim 12 or 13, wherein the wetting agent comprises or consists of an alkyl pyrrolidone.
  15. 15. The descaling composition of claim 14, wherein the alkyl pyrrolidone comprises or consists of N-octyl-2-pyrrolidone.
  16. 16. The descaling composition of any preceding claim, wherein the composition further comprises a chelant.
  17. 17. The descaling composition of claim 16, wherein the chelant comprises 0.01 to about 4 wt. % of the total composition.
  18. 18. The descaling composition of claim 16 or 17, wherein the chelant comprises or consists of methylglycine diacetic acid or a salt thereof, glucaric acid or a salt thereof, or a mixture thereof.
  19. 19. The descaling composition of claim 18, wherein the salt of methylglycine diacetic acid is a trisodium salt.
  20. 20. The descaling composition of claim 18, wherein the salt of glucaric acid is a sodium salt.

Description

Alkyl Sulfonic Acid Compositions Useful in Descaling Applications PRIORITY CLAIM [0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 63/511 ,156, filed June 29, 2023, and U.S. Patent Application No. 63/553,243, filed February 14, 2024, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. FIELD OF INVENTION [0002] This application relates generally to a descaling composition comprising one or more alkyl sulfonic acids. BACKGROUND [0003] The 2020 Covid pandemic had a significant effect on consumer’s cleaning expectations for both household and industrial cleaning products. Consumers are cleaning more often and are more critical of the product cleaning performance. In industrial cleaning, significant labor shortages means there is less time allocated for cleaning further requiring products to work even more effectively, preferably be ready-to-use (RTU), or as dilutable concentrates, and safe to the user and the environment. Hard surfaces accumulate a number of soils over time. One exemplary soil is calcium carbonate, also referred to as limescale, which can be deposited on the surface from aqueous solutions containing solubilized ions. Other soils can be rust, struvite deposits. Limescale can be a substrate for microorganisms and should be removed to avoid unhygienic conditions. Typically, limescale is removed by applying an acidic solution to the hard surface. However, prior art acidic compositions typically require a high concentration of acid, which can pose a risk to the user if the composition contacts skin or is ingested. These prior art acid compositions also can be associated with toxic fumes. Other prior art cleaning compositions comprising an alkyl sulfonic acid have suboptimal cleaning properties due to the other components (e.g., surfactants) in the compositions. [0004] Thus, there is a need for more effective, safe, concentrated descaling compositions that are ready-to-use (RTU), or as dilutable concentrates which effectively removes limescale to 1 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) a greater degree than prior art compositions and avoids the generation of toxic fumes and is safe for the user to apply. SUMMARY [0005] The present disclosure describes an acidic composition comprising an acidic component and a surfactant system that has been shown to be a particularly effective descaler. The acidic component comprises one or more alkyl sulfonic acids and, optionally one or more organic acids. Particularly suitable alkyl sulfonic acids include C1-C6 alkyl sulfonic acids, such as methanesulfonic acid. Particularly suitable organic acids include lactic acid, formic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, itaconic acid, oxalic acid, terephthalic acid, citric acid, acetic acid, malonic acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, hydroxyl succinic acid, adipic acid, octanoic acid, fumaric acid, itaconic acid, methacrylic acid, sulfamic acid, methylsulfamic acid, propionic acid, gluconic acid, glutamic acid, glutaric acid, glucaric acid, benzoic acid, tartaric acid, hydroxyacetic acid, and salicylic acid. The relative amount of the acidic component will vary based on whether the composition is formulated as a ready-to-use or dilutable concentrated formulation. In ready-to-use formulations, the acidic component may comprise 0.1 to about 45 wt. % of the total composition; and in dilutable concentrated formulations, the acidic component may be up to about 95 wt. % (e.g., 46 to about 95 wt. %) of the total composition. [0006] The surfactant system may comprise one or more anionic surfactants, one or more nonionic surfactants, one or more amphoteric surfactants, or a mixture thereof. Alkyl sulfates, in particular sodium 2-ethylhexyl sulfate, is a suitable anionic surfactant. Alcohol ethoxylates, in particular shorter chain alcohol ethoxylates, such as C6, C7, C8, or C9 alcohol ethoxylates, are suitable nonionic surfactants. Alkylether hydroxypropyl sultaine or disodium caprylampho dipropionate are suitable amphoteric surfactants. Alkyldiphenyloxide disulfonate is another suitable surfactant. [0007] The composition may optionally further comprise a thickener, wetting agent and/or a chelant. The amount of chelating agent(s) in the composition may be in a range from about 0.01 wt % to about 10 wt %. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) [0008] The composition of the present disclosure may also include one or more auxiliary agents selected from the group consisting of thickeners, UV protectants, rust inhibitors, preservatives, dyes, fragrances, and colorants. Further, the composition of the present disclosure may lack any solvents other than water. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0009] The description that follows describes, illustrates and exemplifies one or more particular embodiments of an acidic descaling composition comprising one or more alkyl sulfonic acids and methods of use thereof. This description is not provided to limit the disclosure to the embodimen