Antifreeze compositions

Abstract

Compositions of matter that are antifreeze composition, coolants, heat transfer fluids, and de-icing fluids based on the use of coalescent efficient glycol ethers.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention deals with compositions of matter that are antifreeze compositions, coolants, heat transfer fluids, and de-icing fluids. For purposes of discussion in this specification, all of the afore-mentioned materials are referred-to as “antifreeze” compositions.

NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, has included guidance on the use of antifreeze compositions in fire sprinkler systems. Antifreeze compositions may be used in fire sprinkler systems where the piping system, or portions of the piping system, may be subjected to freezing temperatures.

The term “antifreeze” refers to a composition which reduces the freezing point of an aqueous solution, or is an aqueous solution with a reduced freezing point with respect to water, for example, a composition comprising a freezing point depressant.

The term “coolant” refers to a category or liquid antifreeze compositions which have properties that allow an engine to function effectively without freezing, boiling, or corrosion. The performance of an engine coolant must meet or exceed standards set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).

The term “heat transfer fluid” refers to a fluid which flows through a system in order to prevent it from overheating and transferring the heat produced within the system to other systems or devices that can utilize or dissipate the heat.

The term “de-icing fluid” refers to a fluid which makes or keeps a system, a device, or a part of a device free of ice, or a fluid that melts ice.

The term “ultra-pure water” as used herein refers to the water obtained by the process as set forth in U.S. patent Publication 2010/0209360, published Aug. 19, 2010 entitled “Method for making a Gas from an Aqueous Fluid, Product of the Method and Apparatus Therefor.

The term “non-flammable” as used herein refers to the standard for flammability set forth in UL Test Standard 2901.

“Coalescence” for purposes of this invention means similar or like properties as a group.

These compositions (hereinafter “antifreeze compositions”) have multiple uses, as they can be used to prevent freezing of certain systems, but can also be used as additives for certain applications in which heat control is an issue.

It is known to use antifreeze compositions in heat exchanger systems, de-icing applications, for example, on airplane wings and fuselage, radiators in automobiles, automobile and truck batteries and other vehicles, such as armored tanks, and the like.

Currently the only antifreeze which is approved for use in CPVC fore sprinkler piping by NFPA 13 is glycerin. Ethylene glycol and propylene glycol have been used for hard piped sprinkler systems. All of these antifreeze materials are flammable. Flammability and a variety of other issues have created a need for a non-flammable antifreeze materials for sprinkler piping. A variety of “compounds” and additives have been evaluated in the prior art without any success.

In such applications, the antifreeze composition must be contained, and the materials of the containment system must come in contact with the antifreeze compositions. Such systems are manufactured from metals, alloys of metals and other components forming the different parts of the systems.

Thus, one of the major issues in using antifreeze compositions is the prevention of corrosion in such materials. Another issue is flammability of the antifreeze compositions, especially when such antifreeze compositions are used in fire sprinkler systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a graph showing conductivity end freezing points of aqueous solutions without potassium formate. FIG. 1B is a graph of various properties of aqueous solutions without potassium formate.

FIG. 1C is a graph of conductivity and freezing point of aqueous solutions with potassium formate.

FIG. 1D is a graph of various properties of aqueous solutions with potassium formate.

FIG. 1E is a graph of freezing point comparison with and without potassium formate.

FIG. 2A is a comparison of samples 130, 131, and 132, initial properties compared to commercial antifreeze.

FIG. 2B is a comparison of sample 130, 131, and 132, at 30 days at high ambient temperature stability 70° C. for 30 days.

FIG. 2C is a comparison of sample 130, 131, and 132, at 90 days at high ambient temperature stability 70° C. for 90 days.

FIG. 2D is a comparison of sample 130, 131, and 132, at 40 cycles high ambient temperature stability 66° C.

FIG. 3A is a graph of corrosion rate at 30 days.

FIG. 3B is a graph of weight loss rate at 30 days.

FIG. 3C is a graph of corrosion rate for 60 days.

FIG. 3D is a graph of weight loss for 60 days.

FIG. 3E is a graph of corrosion for 90 days.

FIG. 3F is a graph of weight loss for 90 days.

FIG. 4A is a table showing corrosion rate and weight loss data at 30 days

FIG. 4B is a table showing corrosion rate and weight loss date at 60 days

FIG. 4C is a table showing corrosion rate and weight loss data at 90 days

FIG. 5A is a graph showing % volume changes for formulation 130 and various rubbers and plastics.

FIG. 5B is a graph showing % weight change for formulation 130 and various rubbers and plastics.

FIG. 5C is a graph showing % volume change for formulation 131 and various rubbers and plastics.

FIG. 5D is a graph showing % weight change for formulation 131 and various rubbers and plastics.

FIG. 5E is a graph showing % volume change for formulation 132 and various rubbers and plastics.

FIG. 5F is a graph showing % weight change for formulation 132 and various rubbers and plastics.

FIG. 6A is a table showing data for formulation 130 and various rubbers and plastics.

FIG. 6B is a table showing data for formulation 131 and various rubbers and plastics.

FIG. 6C is a table showing data for formulation 132 and various rubbers and plastics.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It has now been discovered that antifreeze compositions can be formulated that are essentially low cost, non-flammable, have very low freezing points, and are essentially non-corrosive to metal components of systems used for handling such antifreeze compositions.

What is disclosed herein are non-flammable antifreeze compositions comprising the incipient materials, water; a coalescent efficient glycol ether selected from a group of materials having the general formula:RO(CH₂CH₂O)_yR′ or,

In the first formula, RO is selected from a group consisting of an alkoxy group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms or phenoxy; R′ is H, or —C(O)CH₃, and _y has a value of 1 to 6. In the second formula, RO is an alkoxy group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, the phenoxy group or acetoxy group; is R′ or —C (O)CH₃, and _y has a value of 1 to 3, wherein the boiling point of the coalescent efficient glycol ether is 190° C. or greater at 760 mm Hg.

A third component is a non-flammable compound selected from the group consisting of sodium formate, potassium formate, lithium formate, rubidium formate, cesium formate, beryllium formate, magnesium formate, calcium formate, strontium formate, barium formate, and mixtures of these components.

In addition, it is contemplated within the scope of this invention to use one or more additional adjuvants and materials in the formulation. Such materials comprise such materials as waxes, silicate stabilizers, thickeners, dyes, and the like. It is also contemplated within the scope of this invention to use mixtures of these materials with the basic formulation.

Another embodiment is the use of the basic formula set forth Supra in conjunction with other sources of carbinol, such as sugar, glycerin, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, diethylene glycol, and, salts such as sodium chloride and sea salt. Also contemplated within the scope of this invention are mixtures of these materials.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Thus what is disclosed and claimed herein are non-flammable antifreeze compositions based on water. the amount of each of the components here is based on the total weight of the components, and the amount of water that can be used herein is 0.1 to 95% weight percent. A preferred amount of water is from about 15 weight percent to about 75 weight percent and the most preferred embodiments is water at 40 weight percent to 65 weight percent.

A second component of the antifreeze composition is a group of materials that are coalescent efficient glycol ethers having the general formula RO(CH₂CH₂O)_yR′ or,

wherein in the first formula, RO is selected from a group consisting of an alkoxy group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms or phenoxy; R′ is H, or —C(O)CH₃, and _y has a value of 1 to 6, and in the second formula, RO is an alkoxy group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, the phenoxy group or acetoxy group; R′ is H or —C(O)CH₃, and _y has a value of 1 to 3.

These materials can be used singularly or combined in two or more combinations. They are used in this composition at from 0.1 to 85 weight percent, based on the total weight of the composition. Preferred is from 20 to 60 weight percent and most preferred is from 40 to 55 weight percent based on the total weight of the final composition.

A third component of the antifreeze composition is a non-flammable compound selected from group consisting of sodium formate, rubidium formate, cesium formate, beryllium formate, magnesium formate, calcium formate, strontium formate, barium formate, potassium formate, lithium formate, and, mixtures of these compounds. These compositions are used in the antifreeze compositions at from 0.1 to 85 weight percent of the total composition. Preferred is a weight of from 0.1 weight percent to 70 weight percent and most preferred is the use at 0.1 to 50 weight percent based on the weight of the final composition.

In addition, it is contemplated within the scope of this invention to use corrosion inhibitors, such as, for example, sodium silicate, potassium silicate, and sodium trihydroxysilylpropyl methylphosphonate. The corrosion inhibitors are used at 0.1 to 10 weight percent based on the weight of the total composition. Preferred is from about 3 percent to about 8 percent and most preferred is from about 5 percent to 7 percent by weight based on the total weight of the final composition.

Other adjuvants include waxes, such as carnauba, paraffin, polyethylene wax or polypropylene wax, PTFE, microcrystalline waxes and blends of waxes which are used primarily at about 0.2 weight percent to about 10.0 weight percent based on the total weight of the final composition. Such waxes can be obtained from a variety of commercial sources such as Michelman, INC. Cincinnati, Ohio.

In addition, there can be used thickeners or rheology modifiers, for example for use on de-iceing airplanes wings. Any conventional thickener can be used. Cellulosics such as CMC, HMC, HPMC, and others, that are chemically substituted cellulose macromolecules, polyvinyl alcohol, metal oxides such as silica, clays: attapulgite which also disperses suspensions, bentonite (both flocculating and non-flocculating), and other montmorillonite clays. Preferred for this invention is carboxymethylcellulose which is used primarily at about 0.2 weight percent to about 5.0 weight percent based on the total weight of the final composition.

As indicated Supra, ultra-pure water can be used in this invention and it can be used is conjunction with other water, such as well water, city water, river, lake and pond water.

When the coalescent efficient glycol ethers are mixed with the other carbinol materials, the ratio of the other carbinol materials to the coalescent efficient glycol ethers is in the range of from 0.1:99.9 to 25:75. The salts can be managed in the same manner.

The compositions of the invention are easily prepared by simple mixing of the ingredients at room temperature and, the compositions can be stored indefinitely at room temperature.

The following examples illustrate the disclosure.

EXAMPLES

In accordance with UL 2901: Outline of Investigation for Antifreeze Solutions for Use in Fire Sprinkler Systems initial testing on potential solutions includes Pour Point—ASTM D97, Standard Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products Viscosity—ASTM D2983, Standard Test Method for Low-Temperature Viscosity of Lubricants Measured by Brookfield Viscometer; Specific Gravity—ASTM D1429, Standard Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Water and Brine; pH—ASTM D1293, Standard Test Methods for pH of Water; Freeze Point—ASTM D6660, Standard Test Method for Freezing Point of Aqueous Ethylene Glycol Base Engine Coolants by Automatic Phase Transition Method or equivalent differential scanning calorimetric methods. All of these methods were used in acquiring the data in the following examples.

After these required tests are met and quantified, the following further testing is required: High Ambient Temperature Stability; Temperature Cycling Stability; Electrical Conductivity; Corrosion Rate; Exposure to Elastomeric Materials; Compatibility with Polymeric Materials, and Exposure to Fire.

In these examples, all data is in grams; Temperatures are measured in Centigrade (degrees C); Freeze Point at −20° C. was determined by placing samples in a refrigerated chamber for 24 hours at a constant −20° C. After 24 hours the sample was evaluated for flow; pH was tested using the Standard Methods for examination of water and wastewater standard 4500-H.

Exotherm or endotherm was measured using a NIST certified thermometers; Viscosity was tested using ASTM D2983, Standard Test Method for Low-Temperature Viscosity of Lubricants Measured by Brookfield Viscometer Model DV-II; Spindle 2 @100 rpm or Ubbleode tubes for low viscosity measurements.

Freeze Point at −40° C. (or lower) was determined by placing samples in a bath of Dow Corning® 10 cst 200 fluid chilled to temperature using either a bath of dry ice in acetone or a Neslab Bath Cooler Model PBC 2-II; Pour point was determined by placing samples in a bath of Dow Corning® 10 cst 200 fluid™ chilled to temperature using either a bath of dry ice in acetone or a Neslab Bath Cooler Model PBC 2-II and observing the temperature at which the sample was no longer fluid.

Corrosion rate was determined by placing pre-weighed samples into the test solution, aged at 49° C., and re-weighed at the prescribed times; Exposure to Elastomeric Materials was determined by placing pre-weighed samples into the test solution, aged at 70° C., and reweighed at the prescribed times, and, Unless specified otherwise all raw materials were purchased form Aldrich Chemical Company.

Tables 1 and 2 represent the development work done to arrive at the lowest freezing point achievable. This effort centered on dissociative salts trying to achieve a freezing point of at least −40° C.

The compositions of this invention can have conductivity properties that can be manipulated at will as will be obvious from the data infra. For example, city water, in the inventor's laboratory, has a conductivity of 300 μS. A requirement for the materials used for antifreeze for outdoor file suppression systems is 1000 μS or less. Table 3 sets forth conductivity for the various components and combinations useful in this invention. H+H₂O is ultra-pure water. “Water” indicates tap water.

	TABLE 1
	sample No.
	A	B	C	D	E	F	G
Water	100	100	100	100	100	100	100
KC2H3O2	269			201	135	70	269
NaC2H3O2		94.9
Glycerol,			100	25	50	75	100
pure
FPt, −20 C.	OK	SOLID	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK
initial pH	8.5	7	4.5
final pH	7	7	7	7	7	7	7
Exotherm, @
mix
Init temp	23	23	23
final temp	9	20	23
pour point					, −52 C.		, −52 C.
FPt, −40 C.	solid		solid		OK		OK
, −48 C.					OK		OK

	TABLE 2
	Sample No.
	H	K	L	M	O	P
Water	100	100	100	100	100
KC2H3O2	269	33.7
Glycerol,			100	50	10	100
raw
S.G.	1.55	1.2				1.25
FPt, −20 C.	OK	Slice	2	solid	solid	v
			phase			thick
initial pH	9	7.5	4.5		5
final pH	8	7	5		5	4.53
Exotherm, @
mix
Init temp	22	22	22		22
final temp	11	21	22		22
Viscosity,	32	5	20		3
cps
Sp 2 @ 100 rpm
Freezing	, −40 C.
point

TABLE 3
Sample	9	10	11	12	13
H + H2O	100	50			50
Glycerin		50
DPM				100	50
TPNB			100
Conductivity uS	1.8	3.6	4.5	0.08	1
FPt, −20 C.	solid	OK	<−75	−83	OK
Flash Pt			126	75
Density			0.93	0.95

	TABLE 4
	Sample	I	J	K	L
	Water	100	90	45	49
	KC2H3O2	135	10	5	1
	Glycerol			50	50
	Wt. % KCHO	57	11	5	3.6
	Conductivity, uS	76000	14400	8500	3600

Table 4 contains data regarding the level of Potassium Formate as it relates to the conductivity vs concentration in solution. Tables 5 and 6 illustrate conductivity as it relates to three lower levels of Potassium Formate, no Potassium Formate, and the addition of specialty fluids to lower the freezing point of the formulation. The formulations in Table 7 contain date regarding the levels of water in the formulation and its effect on conductivity and pH.

	TABLE 5
	Sample	15	16	17
	H + H2O	50	50	50
	DPM	47.75	47.75	47.75
	TPNB	2.25	2.25	2.25
	KCHO	1	0.6	0.2
	% H2O	50	50	50
	Conductivity uS	3600	1955	785

	TABLE 6
	Sample
	15	16	17	14	18	19
H + H2O	50	50	50	50	50	50
DPM	47.75	47.75	47.75	47.75	40	30
TPNB	2.25	2.25	2.25	2.25	10	20
KCHO	1	0.6	0.2	0
Conductivity	3600	1955	785	2.5	5.4	2
uS						phase
FPt, −20 C.	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK

	TABLE 7
	Sample
	20	21	22	14	23	24	25
H + H2O	450	150	100	50	25	10	5
DPM	47.75	47.75	47.75	47.75	47.75	47.75	47.75
TPNB	2.25	2.25	2.25	2.25	2.25	2.25	2.25
% H2O	90	75	66	50	36	16	9
Conductivity	13.9	8.01	5.07	2.5	6.2	5.81	5.51
uS
pH	7.57	7.3	7.02	6.6	6.2	5.8	5.5

Tables 8 and 9 are miscellaneous salt additives as they relate to freezing point while Table 10 shows the optimum formulations that have resulted in low conductivity and low freezing point depression. Additionally an added corrosion inhibitor to further improve the formulation was incorporated, i. e. CH₃COOK and/or CH₃COONa.

	TABLE 8
	Sample	20	21	22
	Water	100	100	100
	CH3COOK	200
	CH3COONa		125
	NaCl			35
			ppt
	FPt, −20 C.	OK	solid	some ice
	initial pH	9	9	6.8
	final pH	9	8	6.8
	Exotherm, @ mix
	Init temp	21	21	21
	final temp	26	32	19

	TABLE 9
	Sample
	a-13	a-14	a-20	a-21	a-3	a-4	a-7
Water	100		100	100	100	100	100
KC2H3O2			269	135		269	33.7
prop glycol					100	100	50
Na Lactate	100	100
Na Silicate			26.9	13.5
FPt, −20 C.	Solid	Solid	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK

TABLE 10
Sample	29	30	17	15
H + H2O	50	50	50	50
DPM	47.75	47.75	47.75	47.75
TPNB	2.25	2.25	2.25	2.25
DCC 6083	1	0.5
KCHO		0.1	0.2	1
% H2O	50	50	50	50
Conductivity uS	967	857	785	3600
FPt, −20 C.	OK	OK	OK	OK
FPt, −C.		−20
R.I.	1.3907	1.4255
pH	11.5	10.7

TABLE 11
Aging Study
	Formulations	130	131	132
	same as	30	24	32
	H + H2O	50	10	10
	DPM	47.5	47.75	47.75
	TPNB	2.25	2.25	2.25
	DCC 6083	0.5		0.5
	KCHO	0.1		0.1
	% H2O	50	16.7	16.5

High Ambient Temperature Stability at 70° C. for 90 days. The Pour Point, Viscosity, Specific Gravity, pH and Freeze Point will remain stable within 10 percent of the initial properties (FIG. 2). Temperature Cycling Stability at 66° C. for 40 cycles. One cycle was equal to 24 hours at 66° C. and 24 hours at room temperature. The Pour Point, Viscosity, Specific Gravity, pH and Freeze Point will remain stable within 10 percent of the initial properties (FIG. 2). Corrosion Rate. The corrosion rate should not exceed 1.0 mils/year. Corrosion rate was tested according to NFPA 18A-2011. Metal alloy samples were submerged in the test solutions and incubated at 45° C. for 30, 60 and 90 days. The corrosion rate (Cr) was calculated using the following equation:

$\frac{\mathrm{Cr}=\mathrm{weight}\mathrm{loss}\left(g\right)\times K}{\mathrm{alloy}\mathrm{density}\times \mathrm{exposed}\mathrm{area}\times \mathrm{exposure}\mathrm{time}}$ where K=5.34*10⁵ Percent Weight Loss was also calculated for these samples where:

$\%\mathrm{Weight}\mathrm{Loss}=\frac{\mathrm{initial}\mathrm{weight}-\mathrm{final}\mathrm{weight}\times 100}{\mathrm{initial}\mathrm{weight}}$ See FIG. 3.

Exposure to Elastomeric Materials: A volume change of minus 1 to plus 25 percent and a maximum loss of weight of 10 percent (See the Figures).

Tables 12, 13, and, illustrate a few of the compositions of this disclosure.

	TABLE 12
	sample No.
	A	B	C	D	E	F	G
Water	100	100	100	100	100	100	100
KC2H3O2	269			201	135	70	269
NaC2H3O2		94.9
Glycerol, pure			100	25	50	75	100
Freeze Pt,	OK	SOLID	OK	OK	OK	OK	OK
−20 C.
initial pH	8.5	7	4.5
final pH	7	7	7	7	7	7	7
Exotherm,
@ mix
Init temp	23	23	23
final temp	9	20	23
Ratio	100/0		0/100	75/25	50/50	25/75	100/100
Viscosity
S.G.
pour point					−52 C.		−52 C.
R.I.
Freeze Pt,	solid		solid		OK		OK
−40 C.
−48 C.					OK		OK

	TABLE 13
	Sample No.
	H	K	L	M	O	p
Water	100	100	100	100	100
KC2H3O2	269	33.7
Glycerol, raw			100	50	10	100
S.G.	15.5	1.2				1.25
Freeze Pt, −20 C.	OK	Slice	2	solid	solid	v
			phase			thick
initial pH	9	7.5	4.5		5
final pH	8	7	5		5	4.53
Exotherm, @ mix
Init temp	22	22	22		22
final temp	11	21	22		22
Viscosity	32	5	20		3

	TABLE 14
	a = 8	a-9	a-10	a-13	a-14
	Water	100	100	100	100
	KC2 H3 O2	269	135	135
	prop glycol
	eth glycol
	Glycerol			50
	Corr. In @ 43%	26.9	13.5	13.5
	Na Lactate				100	100
	S.G.
	FPt, −20 C.	OK	OK	OK	Solid	Solid
	initial Ph
	Corrosion inhibitor = sodium trihydroxysilylpropyl methylphosphonate

Claims

1. A non-flammable antifreeze composition comprising incipient materials: A. water;B. a coalescent efficient glycol ether selected from a group of materials having the general formula:

2. The non-flammable antifreeze composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein A. is present from 0.1 to 95 weight percent; B. is present from 0.1 to 85 weight percent; C. is present from 10 to 73 weight percent, each based on the weight of the total composition.

3. The non-flammable antifreeze composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in addition, there is a corrosion inhibitor present.

4. The non-flammable antifreeze composition as claimed in claim 3, wherein the corrosion inhibitor is present from 0.1 to 10 weight percent based on the weight of the total composition.

5. The non-flammable antifreeze composition as claimed in claim 3, wherein the corrosion inhibitor is at least one of sodium silicate, potassium silicate, and sodium trihydroxysilylpropylmethyl-phosphonate.

6. The non-flammable antifreeze composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in addition, there is wax present.

7. The non-flammable antifreeze composition as claimed in claim 6, wherein the wax is present from 0.1 to 10 percent based on the weight of the total composition.

8. The non-flammable antifreeze composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in addition, there is a thickener present.

9. The non-flammable antifreeze composition as claimed in claim 8, wherein the thickener is present from 0.1 to 10 percent based on the weight of the total composition.

10. The non-flammable antifreeze composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water is ultra-pure water.

11. The non-flammable antifreeze composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water is a mixture of ultra-pure water and water other than ultra-pure water.

12. The non-flammable antifreeze composition as claimed in claim 6, wherein, in addition, there is a wax present which are used primarily at about 0.2 weight percent to about 10.0 weight percent.

13. A non-flammable antifreeze composition consisting of incipient materials: A. water;B. a coalescent efficient glycol ether selected from a group of materials having a general formula:

14. The non-flammable antifreeze composition as claimed in claim 13, wherein the at least one wax is at least one of a carnauba wax, a paraffin wax, a polyethylene wax, a polypropylene wax, a polytetrafluoroethylene wax, and a microcrystalline wax.

15. The non-flammable antifreeze composition as claimed in claim 13, wherein the at least one corrosion inhibitor is at least one of a sodium silicate, a potassium silicate, and a sodium trihydroxysilylpropyl methylphosphonate.