Method of using environmentally benign anti-icing or deicing fluids employing industrial streams comprising hydroxycarboxylic acid salts and/or other effective deicing/anti-icing agents

Abstract

The present invention provides methods for use of novel deicing and anti-icing compositions based on by-produce of off-specification materials from biodegradable and renewable sources and which also can be used in a variety of other services.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to deicing fluid compositions and methods for deicing surfaces and for preventing ice formation (anti-icing) on surfaces or within aqueous fluids and preventing crystal formation within non-aqueous fluids. More particularly the present invention relates to deicing / anti-icing fluid compositions comprising hydroxycarboxylic acid salts and / or other effective deicing and / or anti-icing agents obtained as products or by-products of industrial and / or fermentation processes. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Freezing point lowering compositions are in widespread use for a variety of purposes, especially to reduce the freezing point of an aqueous system so that ice cannot be formed or to melt formed ice. Generally, freezing point lowering compositions depend for their effectiveness upon the molar freezing point lowering effect, the number of ionic species that are made available and the degree to which the compositions can be dispe...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018] The present inventors have found that excellent deicing compositions comprising hydroxycarboxylic acid salts and / or other effective deicing / anti-icing agents can be obtained utilizing streams produced from, or process streams within, industrial and agricultural processes and in waste streams from such processes. Hydroxycarboxylic acids, their salts, their esters and other agents may be contained in said streams, or may be produced by at least partially reacting hydroxycarboxylic acid(s) or other acids contained in said streams to produce the corresponding salts or esters.

Problems solved by technology

Chloride salts, however, suffer from relatively severe drawbacks, such as the harmful effects on surrounding vegetation by preventing water absorption in the root systems, the corrosive effects on animal skin, such as the feet of animals, clothing, roadways and motor vehicles, and the deleterious effects on surface and ground water.

Another drawback of certain prior art deicing fluids is their high chemical and biological oxygen demands, which make them environmentally unfavorable.

However, as mentioned above, these glycol compounds likewise have environmental drawbacks and can be detrimental to aquatic life and to sewage treatment processes.

Other prior art deicing fluids, such as mono and polyhydric alcohols, have toxic effects and high volatility particularly in the low molecular weight range.

Further, some of these may be the cause of offensive smells and fire danger.

Furthermore, mono- and polyhydric alcohols oxidize in the presence of atmospheric oxygen to form acids, which can increase corrosion of materials.

Back et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,993,684, teach the use of non potassium, non-nitrogen organic salts having a molecular weight less than 201 in anti-icing or deicing applications, but does not teach the use of by-product streams from industrial or fermentation processes.

Further, Back teaches against the inclusion of potassium and halide salts or the use of glycol in formulations.

Further, Parks et al. do not teach the use of by-product streams from industrial or fermentation processes.

Further, Roe does not teach the use of by-product steams from industrial and fermentation processes.