Binary Cleaning Composition for Mineral Grease Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cleaning agents, such as 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene (HFCO-1233zd), are inefficient for removing certain greases, particularly mineral greases loaded with lithium/calcium or complex lithium, and have limitations in terms of environmental impact and flammability when used alone or in ternary mixtures with TDCE and methylacetate.

Innovation Solution

A binary composition of 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene and 1,2-transdichloroethylene, where the former represents at least 99% by mass, with a mass ratio between 57:43 and 65:35, is used for cleaning solid surfaces, offering improved cleaning efficiency and reduced environmental impact, including lower risks of ignition and toxicity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If HFCO-1233zd is used alone or in ternary mixture for cleaning, then environmental impact is reduced (low GWP), but cleaning efficiency for certain greases remains unsatisfactory

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidcleaning efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines HFCO-1233zd with TDCE in a binary mixture to achieve synergistic cleaning effects. This combination allows the composition to effectively remove difficult greases (mineral greases with lithium/calcium or complex lithium) while maintaining low environmental impact, resolving the contradiction between cleaning efficiency and environmental friendliness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite cleaning composition using HFCO-1233zd and TDCE as the two main components. This composite approach leverages the complementary properties of both substances: HFCO-1233zd provides low GWP and environmental benefits, while TDCE enhances cleaning power against stubborn greases, achieving both high productivity and low harmful factors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If ternary mixture with methylacetate is used, then cleaning performance is improved, but device complexity and composition complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidcomposition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts methylacetate from the ternary mixture and eliminates it entirely, creating a simplified binary composition of HFCO-1233zd and TDCE. This extraction removes the unnecessary third component while maintaining or improving cleaning performance, thereby reducing composition complexity without sacrificing productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If HFCO-1233zd concentration is increased, then cleaning efficiency improves, but flammability and ignition risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidflammability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of both HFCO-1233zd and TDCE within specific ranges (HFCO-1233zd: 35-70% by weight, TDCE: 30-65% by weight). This parameter optimization achieves the right balance between cleaning efficiency and flammability control, allowing effective grease removal while maintaining acceptable safety margins against ignition risks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The binary composition effectively cleans greases with improved physicochemical properties, such as low Global Warming Potential (GWP) and reduced flammability, outperforming HFCO-1233zd alone or in ternary mixtures, especially for mineral greases, while maintaining safety and efficiency in vapor phase cleaning.

Implementation Method 1

A liquid composition comprising 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene and 1,2-transdichloroethylene for cleaning solid surfaces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

The binary composition effectively cleans greases with improved physicochemical properties

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDissolution:

Implementation Method 3

According to one embodiment, the liquid composition is vaporized during cleaning

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP2526179B1Hydrochlorofluoroolefin-based cleaning compositions
Publication Date: 2017.08.02 ARKEMA FRANCE SA

AI summary

The invention relates to the use of a liquid composition including 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene and 1,2-transdichloroethylene for cleaning solid surfaces, the 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene and the 1,2-transdichloroethylene being at least 99 wt% of the composition. The invention also relates to a liquid composition containing 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene and 1,2-transdichloroethylene, the 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene and 1,2-transdichloroethylene being at least 99 wt% of the composition and the weight ratio of the 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene over the 1,2-transdichloroethylene being between 57:43 and 65:35, preferably between 58:42 and 63:37, and more preferably between 59:41 and 61:39.