Solvent Composition for Industrial Equipment Decontamination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing industrial decontamination methods for removing residual oil, hydrogen sulfide, and pyrophoric iron sulfides from equipment are inefficient, often requiring multiple steps, causing safety risks, and result in non-biodegradable byproducts that limit application and site usage.

Innovation Solution

A solvent composition comprising amine oxide, polydimethylsiloxane, and water is introduced, which acts as a mild oxidizer, surfactant, and anti-foaming agent, allowing for simultaneous deoiling, degassing, and neutralization in a single step, reducing exothermic reactions and the need for separate chemical applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional oxidizers are used for sulfide neutralization, then contaminants are removed, but large exothermic reactions cause safety risks and require multiple separate steps

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines deoiling, degassing, and sulfide neutralization into a single simultaneous step using one chemical formulation, eliminating the need for separate oxidation steps and reducing exothermic reaction risks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The chemical formulation performs multiple functions (removing oil, gas, and neutralizing sulfides) simultaneously, making a single agent effective across multiple decontamination tasks rather than requiring separate specialized agents

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If steam is used for decontamination, then contaminants are removed, but excess temperature carbonizes hydrocarbons creating tougher deposits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidcarbonized deposits

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameters of the cleaning medium by using a specially formulated chemical solution instead of pure steam, allowing effective contaminant removal at lower temperatures that prevent hydrocarbon carbonization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If mechanical action is used to remove tough deposits, then cleaning is achieved, but equipment damage occurs and downtime increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeposit removalVSAvoidequipment damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical removal methods with a chemical solution that dissolves and emulsifies contaminants, allowing deposit removal through chemical action rather than physical mechanical means that could damage equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If water-based products are used, then decontamination is achieved, but extensive separation effort is required and hydrocarbons cannot be recovered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecontamination effectivenessVSAvoidseparation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The chemical formulation enables selective removal of contaminants while allowing hydrocarbon recovery, distinguishing between removable contaminants and recoverable hydrocarbons to simplify the separation process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 solvent composition effectively disaggregates and oxidizes contaminants, reducing downtime and safety risks, while being biodegradable and suitable for various industrial applications, enabling efficient and safe removal of contaminants from equipment.

Implementation Method 1

The solvent composition effectively disaggregates and oxidizes contaminants

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

The solvent composition comprises an amine oxide, polydimethylsiloxane, and water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant action: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentUS20250002817A1Solvent Composition and Process for Cleaning Contaminated Industrial Equipment

Publication Date: 2025.01.02 ZYMEFLOW INC

AI summary

A method, system and composition for decontaminating a vessel. In an embodiment, a solvent composition for decontamination includes an amine oxide, polydimethylsiloxane, and water.