Sorbic acid and/or its derivatives, such as potassium sorbate, as a preventative for rust, corrosion and scale on metal surfaces

Abstract

An aqueous solution that will prevent rust, corrosion and scale on metal surfaces that includes potassium sorbate at percentages above 0.3%. This aqueous solution is effective at pH 4.5. However, its optimum effectiveness as a rust preventive is at pH 6.0 and above. The solution can be produced in a concentrated form and then diluted with tap or deionized water. The potassium sorbate solution has reduced conductivity and reduced oxygen content, both relative to tap water. This is believed to be the technical basis for its ability to prevent rust. Furthermore, the combination of lower conductivity and reduced oxygen content renders the potassium sorbate solution less viable for microbiological growth which prevents the solution from becoming rancid when it is used in re-circulating water systems. This also permits the use of toxic biocides to be eliminated in re-circulatory water systems, which are often used to reduce and control microbiological growth. Also, the solution can be substituted for tap water in water-based products, such as paints, which eliminates the need to plate the cans.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates to sorbic acid and its derivative potassium sorbate for use as a preventative against rust, corrosion and scale that usually forms on metal surfaces. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Sorbic acid and its salts are commonly used to preserve foods such as cheese, fish, meat, vegetables, fruit, non-alcoholic beverages, wine, confectioneries and baked goods. Sorbic acid and its salts are also used as preservatives in some pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. Potassium sorbate (hereinafter PS) or 2,4 hexadienoic acid potassium salt, is extensively used as a wide spectrum anti-microbial for maintaining freshness in foods, beverages, animal feed, cosmetics and as a preservative for products destined to come in contact with foodstuffs such as adhesives for food packaging. PS has excellent water solubility as compared to sorbic acid which has low water solubility. PS is highly effective against most micro-organisms, is economical and has obtaine...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] It is the object of the invention to provide an aqueous solution that will prevent rust. The aqueous solution of this invention includes PS in the form of powder or granules that have been dissolved in ordinary tap water or deionized water, at percentages above 0.3%. PS is at its optimum effectiveness as a rust preventive at pH 6.0 and above.

[0012] Applicant has found that the PS solution of this invention has reduced conductivity and reduced oxygen content of tap water and believes that this is the technical explanation of how applicant's PS solution functions to prevent rust. Furthermore, the combination of lower conductivity and reduced oxygen content renders the PS solution less viable for microbiological growth. This feature of applicant's PS solution is responsible for eliminating rancidity in re-circulating water systems due to mold. Toxic biocides are often added to re-circulatory water systems to reduce and control microbiological growth. The elimination or reduction of biocides in re-circulatory water systems is an added enhancement of this invention. Furthermore, by substituting the PS solution for tap water in water-based products, such as paints, will also eliminate or reduce the addition of toxic biocides.

Problems solved by technology

The low concentration of PS currently used in the food industry are not effective for preventing rust, corrosion and / or scale.

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