Nonflammable Precision Cleaning Solvent Composition
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for precision cleaning solvents that are nonflammable, have zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP), low Global Warming Potential (GWP), and high solvency power, while also being low in toxicity, as existing solvents like CFC-113 and HCFCs have been banned due to ozone-depleting characteristics and moderate GWPs.
Innovation Solution
Compositions comprising 95 weight percent trans-1,2-dichloroethylene, from 4.0 to 4.4 weight percent methylperfluoroheptene ethers (MPHE), and from 0.6 to 1.0 weight percent 1,1,1,2,2,3,4,5,5-decafluoropentane (HFC-43-10mee) are developed, which exhibit constant boiling characteristics and reduced flammability, making them suitable for precision cleaning applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If CFC-113 is used as a precision cleaning solvent, then high solvency power and effectiveness are achieved, but ozone depletion potential increases and environmental harm occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing CFC-113 with a ternary mixture of trans-1,2-dichloroethylene, MPHE, and HFC-43-10mee. This substitution maintains the solvent's cleaning effectiveness while achieving zero ODP by eliminating ozone-depleting substances. The specific weight percentages (95-99.5% trans-1,2-dichloroethylene, 0.5-4.0% MPHE, 0.1-1.0% HFC-43-10mee) are optimized to balance solvency power with environmental safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite solvent system by combining three different chemical compounds in specific proportions. This composite approach allows the mixture to exhibit properties superior to individual components: trans-1,2-dichloroethylene provides high solvency for flux removal, MPHE contributes to low flammability and zero ODP, and HFC-43-10mee enhances non-flammability. The synergistic combination resolves the contradiction between effectiveness and environmental harm.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If HCFCs are used as replacement solvents, then zero or low ODP is achieved, but global warming potential increases and they are scheduled for phase-out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the environmental profile parameters by selecting compounds with favorable GWP characteristics. While trans-1,2-dichloroethylene has some GWP, the small quantities of MPHE and HFC-43-10mee (both with lower GWP than HCFCs) help balance the overall environmental impact. The composition achieves zero ODP while maintaining acceptable GWP levels, avoiding the phase-out schedule that plagues HCFC replacements.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If low concentration of MPHE and trans-1,2-dichloroethylene is used, then flammability is reduced, but non-flammability cannot be guaranteed under all conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent precisely controls the concentration parameters of flammable and non-flammable components. By maintaining trans-1,2-dichloroethylene at 95-99.5% (a non-flammable compound) and limiting MPHE to 0.5-4.0% and HFC-43-10mee to 0.1-1.0%, the mixture's flash point is elevated beyond typical operating temperatures. This parameter optimization ensures the solvent remains non-flammable under all normal cleaning conditions, reliably resolving the flammability concern.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If trans-1,2-dichloroethylene concentration is increased to reduce flammability, then safety is improved, but solvency power may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite formulation where trans-1,2-dichloroethylene (95-99.5%) provides the primary solvency power for flux and residue removal, while the minor components MPHE (0.5-4.0%) and HFC-43-10mee (0.1-1.0%) contribute to flame suppression. This composite structure ensures that the high concentration of trans-1,2-dichloroethylene maintains excellent cleaning effectiveness, while the small amounts of additives sufficiently elevate the flash point without compromising solvency.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are compositions comprising 90 to 99 weight percent trans-1,2-dichloroethylene, from 0.1 to 8 weight percent methylperfluoroheptene ethers and from 0.1 to 2.0 weight percent of 1,1,1,2,2,3,4,5,5,5-decafluoropentane, wherein the composition is non-flamable. The disclosure further provides a method for removing residue from a surface of an article comprising: (a) contacting the article with a composition comprising a composition of MPHE, HFC-4310mee and trans-1,2-dichloroethylene; and (b) recovering the surface from the composition.