Green Solvent Flash Point via Terpene Alcohol Additives
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Solution Overview
Problem
Green solvents, despite being environmentally friendly, exhibit high volatility and low flash points, limiting their uses and requiring costly modifications to increase flash points without substantial cost increases.
Innovation Solution
Adding a low concentration of terpene alcohols (0.05-5.0 wt. %) to green solvents increases their flash points, allowing for expanded applications and improved shelf life while maintaining environmental compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If terpene alcohols are added to green solvents to increase flash points, then the flash point is improved, but the cost of the solvent increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the concentration of terpene alcohols added to green solvents. By optimizing the amount of terpene alcohol incorporated, the flash point is raised to acceptable levels while minimizing the cost increase. This parameter optimization allows the solvent to meet safety requirements without substantially increasing production costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite solvent system by combining green solvents with terpene alcohols in specific ratios. This composite approach leverages the beneficial properties of both components: the environmental advantages of green solvents and the safety benefits of terpene alcohols, achieving a balanced formulation that meets both performance and cost requirements.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If green solvents are used to replace petroleum-based solvents, then environmental friendliness is improved, but volatility and flammability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces terpene alcohols as intermediary substances that mediate between the green solvent and the harmful effects of volatility and flammability. These terpene alcohol additives act as modifiers that reduce the harmful vapor generation while preserving the environmental benefits of the green solvent base.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the green solvent by adding terpene alcohols, specifically modifying the flash point and vapor pressure characteristics. This parameter modification allows the solvent to maintain its environmental advantages while reducing its harmful volatility and flammability properties to acceptable levels.
3Temperature
If high concentrations of terpene alcohols are added to raise flash points, then flash point is improved, but settling and shelf life deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the concentration of terpene alcohols to a specific range. By controlling the amount added, the flash point is sufficiently raised while avoiding excessive concentrations that would cause settling or degrade shelf life. This optimization balances safety improvement with formulation stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by adding only the necessary amount of terpene alcohol to achieve the desired flash point elevation, rather than using high concentrations. This partial approach is sufficient to meet safety requirements while avoiding the negative effects of excessive addition, such as settling and reduced shelf life.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of raising the flash point of a green solvent includes adding from about 0.05 to 5.0 wt. % of at least one terpene alcohol, based on the weight of the at least one terpene alcohol and the green solvent. Green solvents are derived from organic matter, such as plants. They are not the product of petroleum feed stocks. Preferably, two terpene alcohols are added to the green solvent. Further, the addition of at least one terpene alcohol improves both the freeze resistance and the shelf life of the final green solvent solution.