ANTIFOAM AND DEFOAMER PRODUCT

Abstract

The present invention relates to a combination of specific alcohol and ester and their use as antifoam and/or defoamer. It also concerns compositions comprising it, and methods for reducing foam formation and for breaking a foam.

Claims

1. A product comprising: a beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol O1; and an alkyl ester of a beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol O2; with the proviso that if water is present, its quantity is lower than 1% by weight based on the weight of the product; wherein each beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol O1 and O2, identical or different, comprises from 8 to 16 carbon atoms; and wherein the alkyl of the alkyl ester of a beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol O2 comprises from 5 to 12 carbon atoms; as a combined preparation for simultaneous or separate use.

2. A product consisting of: a beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol O1; and an alkyl ester of a beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol O2; wherein each beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol O1 and O2, identical or different, comprises from 8 to 16 carbon atoms; and wherein the alkyl of the alkyl ester of a beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol O2 comprises from 5 to 12 carbon atoms; as a combined preparation for simultaneous or separate use.

3. The product according to claim 1, wherein each beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohols O1 and O2 are individually of Formula (I): ##STR00002## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, identical or different, are linear or branched alkyl group comprising from 2 to 6 carbon atoms.

4. The product according to claim 3, wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are identical in a beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol.

5. The product according to claim 1, wherein the alkyl of the alkyl ester of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol O2 comprises from 5 to 9 carbon atoms.

6. The product according to claim 1, wherein the total quantity of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol(s) O1 is of at least 20% by weight, and the total quantity of alkyl ester(s) of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol(s) O2 is of at least 20% by weight, weight percentages being based on the weight of the product.

7. The product according to claim 1, wherein the ratio (total quantity of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol(s) O1)/(total quantity of alkyl ester(s) of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol(s) O2) is between 20/80 and 80/20.

8. A process for preparing a product according to claim 1, by bringing together a beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol O1 and an alkyl ester of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol O2, wherein each beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol O1 and O2, identical or different, comprises from 8 to 16 carbon atoms, and wherein the alkyl of the alkyl ester of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol O2, comprises from 5 to 12 carbon atoms.

9. (canceled)

10. The process according to claim 8, wherein the ratio (total quantity of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol(s) O1)/(total quantity of alkyl ester(s) of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol(s) O2) of the product is between 20/80 and 80/20.

11. A composition comprising: a beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol O1; an alkyl ester of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol O2; and at least 50% by weight of water based on the weight of the composition; wherein each beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol O1 and O2, identical or different, comprises from 8 to 16 carbon atoms; and wherein the alkyl of the alkyl ester of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol O2 comprises from 5 to 12 carbon atoms.

12. A method for destabilizing a foam, reducing foam formation, or breaking a foam of a composition, comprising contacting the foam with or adding into the composition, a beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol O1 and an alkyl ester of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol O2; wherein each beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol O1 and O2, identical or different, comprises from 8 to 16 carbon atoms, and wherein the alkyl of the alkyl ester of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol O2 comprises from 5 to 12 carbon atoms.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the method is for reducing foam formation of a composition, and comprises adding into the composition a beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol O1 and an alkyl ester of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol O2; wherein each beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol O1 and O2, identical or different, comprises from 8 to 16 carbon atoms, and wherein the alkyl of the alkyl ester of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol O2 comprises from 5 to 12 carbon atoms.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the method is for breaking a foam of a composition and comprises contacting the foam with a beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol O1 and an alkyl ester of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol O2; wherein each beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol O1 and O2, identical or different, comprises from 8 to 16 carbon atoms, and wherein the alkyl of the alkyl ester of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol O2 comprises from 5 to 12 carbon atoms.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the ratio (total quantity of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol(s) O1)/(total quantity of alkyl ester(s) of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol(s) O2) is between 20/80 and 80/20.

16. The method according to claim 12, wherein the total quantity of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol(s) O1 and of alkyl ester(s) of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol(s) O2, is of at least 0.01% by weight based on the weight of the composition.

17. The method according to claim 12, wherein the method is for destabilizing a foam of and comprises contacting the foam with a beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol O1 and an alkyl ester of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol O2; wherein each beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol O1 and O2, identical or different, comprises from 8 to 16 carbon atoms, and wherein the alkyl of the alkyl ester of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol O2 comprises from 5 to 12 carbon atoms.

18. The product according to claim 2, wherein each beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohols O1 and O2 are individually of Formula (I): ##STR00003## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, identical or different, are linear or branched alkyl group comprising from 2 to 6 carbon atoms.

19. The product according to claim 18, wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are identical in a beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol.

20. The product according to claim 2, wherein the alkyl of the alkyl ester of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol O2 comprises from 5 to 9 carbon atoms.

21. The product according to claim 2, wherein the total quantity of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol(s) O1 is of at least 20% by weight, and the total quantity of alkyl ester(s) of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol(s) O2 is of at least 20% by weight, weight percentages being based on the weight of the product.

22. The product according to claim 2, wherein the ratio (total quantity of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol(s) O1)/(total quantity of alkyl ester(s) of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol(s) O2) is between 20/80 and 80/20.

23. A process for preparing a product according to claim 2, by bringing together a beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol O1 and an alkyl ester of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol O2, wherein each beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol O1 and O2, identical or different, comprises from 8 to 16 carbon atoms, and wherein the alkyl of the alkyl ester of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol O2, comprises from 5 to 12 carbon atoms.

Description

EXAMPLE 1

Preparation of Beta-Alkylated Monohydric Primary Alcohols and Esters Thereof

[0127] 1.1. Chemicals Used [0128] Primary alcohols: [0129] 3-methylbutanol from Tradebe; [0130] Octanol, Ecorol 8/98 from Ecogreen Oleochemicals; [0131] beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohols: [0132] 2-ethylhexanol (C8) from Perstorp; [0133] 2-propylheptanol (C10) from Perstorp.

[0134] 1.2. Preparation of Guerbet Alcohols

[0135] 2-isopropyl-5-methylhexanol (C10iso) and 2-hexyldecanol (C16) were prepared from respectively 3-methylbutanol and octanol as primary alcohols according to a Guerbet reaction. Such a reaction is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,518,810 using KOH as a base and palladium as catalyst. The reaction medium were heated up to their respective boiling point.

[0136] Each crude reaction mixture was washed several times with demineralized water to remove all of the soaps. The washed products were subsequently filtered and dried under vacuum. Each remaining starting primary alcohol was separated by distillation. Then, each Guerbet alcohol was isolated by distillation.

[0137] The Guerbet alcohols thus obtained had each a purity of 98%+/−1.

[0138] 1.3. Preparation of Alkyl Ester of Beta-Alkylated Monohydric Primary Alcohols

[0139] 2-ethylhexyl hexanoate and 2-propylheptyl hexanoate were prepared by esterification of hexanoic acid with a molar excess (30%) of respectively 2-ethylhexanol and 2-propylheptanol, in presence of methane sulfonic acid, at 150° C., until the acid value reached 3, the acid value being measured according to standard AOCS Cd 3D-63.

[0140] Then the excess of each primary alcohol was distilled.

EXAMPLE 2

Synergistic Effect of the Product According to the Invention on Foaming Characteristics of Compositions According to the Invention

[0141] 2.1 Preparation of Additive Packages 1-8 According to the Invention

[0142] Additive package 1-8 were prepared at room temperature by mixing a beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol and an ester of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol manually to attain homogeneity.

[0143] Contents of each additive package are described in Table 1 below:

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Contents of additive packages 1-8 according to the invention Ester of beta-alkylated monohydric primary beta-alkylated alcohol (wt %*) monohydric primary 2- 2-isopropyl-5- alcohol (wt %*) ethylhexyl methyl-hexyl C8 C10 C10iso C16 hexanoate hexanoate Additive package 1 80 20 Additive package 2 50 50 Additive package 3 50 50 Additive package 4 75 25 Additive package 5 25 75 Additive package 6 50 50 Additive package 7 25 75 Additive package 8 75 25 *based on the weight of the additive package

[0144] 2.2 Preparation of Compositions According to the Invention

[0145] 2.2.1 With the Use of the Additive Package According to the Invention

[0146] Compositions 1-8 according to the invention were prepared by adding 0.5 wt % of a foaming agent (sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate) and respectively 0.1 wt % of additive package 1-8 according to the invention, into tap water; weight percentages being based on the weight of each composition.

[0147] Composition 5.5 according to the invention was prepared as described for compositions 1-8, using 0.05 wt % of additive package 5 according to the invention, instead of 0.1 wt %.

[0148] 2.2.2 Without the Use of the Additive Package According to the Invention

[0149] Composition 2bis according to the invention was prepared by adding 0.5 wt % of a foaming agent (sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate) into tap water, followed by the introduction of 0.05 wt % of 2-ethylhexanol and then 0.05 wt % of 2-ethylhexyl hexanoate; weight percentages being based on the weight of the composition.

[0150] 2.3 Preparation of Comparative Compositions

[0151] Comparative compositions 1-4 and 7-8 were prepared as compositions of the invention, by adding 0.5 wt % of a foaming agent (sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate), and 0.1 wt % of respectively 2-ethylhexyl hexanoate, 2-ethylhexanol, 2-propylheptanol, 2-isopropyl-5-methylhexanol, 2-hexyldecanol and 2-isopropyl-5-methylhexyl hexanoate, into tap water.

[0152] Comparative compositions 5 and 6 were prepared as compositions of the invention, by adding 0.5 wt % of a foaming agent (sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate), and 0.05 wt % of respectively, 2-isopropyl-5-methylhexanol and 2-ethylhexyl hexanoate into tap water.

[0153] All weight percentages are based on the weight of the corresponding comparative composition.

[0154] 2.4Antifoaming Property of Product According to the Invention

[0155] The method used to determine the efficiency of the product of the invention as antifoam agent is based on ASTM D892.

[0156] A blank sample was prepared by adding 0.5 wt % of a foaming agent (sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate) into tap water.

[0157] 200 mL of each sample (compositions of the invention, comparative compositions and blank), were respectively introduced in a 1000 mL graduated cylinder. Each cylinder was then placed in a bath at 24° C. Air was injected in each sample at a flow rate of 94 mL/min for 5 minutes and then the samples were allowed to settle for 10 minutes.

[0158] The volumes of foam were measured just after the air flow stopped and after the 10 minutes period.

[0159] Results are summarized in Table 2 below:

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Foaming characteristics of compositions of the invention and of comparative compositions Volumes of foam (mL) Antifoam 0 min 10 min Blank — 600 485 Comparative  0.1% of 2-ethylhexyl hexanoate 500 105 composition 1 Comparative  0.1% of 2-ethylhexanol 470 43 composition 2 Composition 1  0.1% of additive package 1 305 0 Composition 2  0.1% of additive package 2 200 0 Composition 2bis 0.05% of 2-ethylhexanol and 310 0 0.05% of 2-ethylhexyl-hexanoate Comparative  0.1% of 2-propylheptanol 550 200 composition 3 Composition 3  0.1% of additive package 3 190 0 Composition 4  0.1% of additive package 4 300 0 Comparative  0.1% of 2-isopropyl-5- 350 20 composition 4 methylhexanol Composition 5  0.1% of additive package 5 230 0 Composition 6  0.1% of additive package 6 290 10 Comparative 0.05% of 2-isopropyl-5- 370 20 composition 5 methylhexanol Comparative 0.05% of 2-ethylhexyl hexanoate 510 210 composition 6 Composition 5.5 0.05% of additive package 5 295 0 Comparative c  0.1% of 2-hexyldecanol 570 430 omposition 7 Composition 7  0.1% of additive package 7 430 90 Comparative  0.1% of 2-isopropyl-5-methylhexyl 490 30 composition 8 hexanoate Composition 8  0.1% of additive package 8 465 15

[0160] It can be observed with the blank sample, that without any antifoam, a lot of foam is produced: 600 mL of foam at t=0 and still 485 mL after 10 min of rest.

[0161] Use of a beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol or an alkyl ester of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol as antifoam reduces the volume of foam formed at t=0, from −5% with 2-hexyldecanol (comparative composition 7) to −41% with 2-isopropyl-5-methylhexanol (comparative composition 4).

[0162] But when a combination of a beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol and an alkyl ester of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol, wherein each beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol, identical or different, comprises from 8 to 16 carbon atoms, and wherein the alkyl of alkyl ester of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol comprises 6 carbon atoms, is added to a composition comprising water and a foaming agent, then the volume of foam is more largely reduced.

[0163] For instance, by comparing foam formation at t=0 of blank and of comparative compositions 1 (−16%) and 4 (−41%) with compositions 5 (−61%) or 6 (−51%), we can observed than less foam is formed with compositions comprising the combination of specific beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol and specific ester of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol.

[0164] The combination of a beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol and an alkyl ester of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol, wherein each beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol, identical or different, comprises from 8 to 16 carbon atoms, and wherein the alkyl of the alkyl ester of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol comprises 6 carbon atoms, presents a better efficiency than each compound used individually. Consequently, there is a synergistic effect on the reduction of foam formation.

[0165] More particularly, the foam formed is not stable and disappears after 4 min by using 0.1 wt % of additive package 2, e.g. the combination 2-ethylhexanol/2-ethylhexyl hexanoate at a weight ratio 50/50. By using 0.1 wt % of 2-ethylhexanol or of 2-ethylhexyl hexanoate, there is respectively 43 mL (comparative composition 2) and 105 mL (comparative composition 1) of foam after 10 min.

[0166] The foam disappears in 2 min with 0.1 wt % of additive package 5, e.g. the combination 2-isopropyl-5-methylhexanol/2-ethylhexyl hexanoate at a weight ratio 25/75. By using 0.1 wt % of 2-isopropyl-5-methylhexanol (comparative composition 4), there is respectively 20 mL of foam after 10 min.

[0167] With only 0.05 wt % of additive package 5 (composition 5.5), there is no more foam after 4 min.

[0168] The same synergistic effect on the reduction of foam formation can be observed when the two components of the product of the invention are added separately in the aqueous composition. The foam volume of composition 2bis comprising the two components in proportions similar to composition 2 comprising the additive package 2, is reduced by 48% at t=0 and by 100% at t=10 min, compared to the blank. More particularly, the foam collapses within 7 minutes.

[0169] All those results demonstrate that the combination of a beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol, and an alkyl ester of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol, each beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol comprising from 8 to 16 carbon atoms and wherein the alkyl of the alkyl ester of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol comprises from 5 to 12 carbon atoms, is a good antifoam.

[0170] 2.5 Defoaming Property of Composition 2 According to the Invention

[0171] The method used to determine the efficiency of the product of the invention as defoamer is based on ASTM D892.

[0172] Two samples of 200 mL of tap water comprising 0.5 wt % of a foaming agent (sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate) were each placed into a 1000 mL graduated cylinder which were then placed in a bath at 24° C.

[0173] Air was injected into the sample at a flow rate of 94 mL/min for 5 minutes. Once the injection of air stopped, 0.1 wt % of additive package 5 according to the invention was added on the foam formed of one sample, to form composition 5 of the invention.

[0174] All weight percentage are based on the weight of the corresponding composition.

[0175] The sample which do not received a product of the invention corresponds to the blank.

[0176] The volume of foam of blank sample was measured just after the air flow stopped (t=0) and for 7 minutes.

[0177] The volume of the foam of composition 5 was measured just after addition of the additive package 5 (t=0) and monitored for 7 minutes.

[0178] Data are gathered in Table 3 below.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Defoaming properties of composition 5 of the invention Volumes of foam (mL) Defoamer 0 min 3 min 5 min 7min Blank — 600 550 540 525 Composition 5 0.1% of additive package 5 575 240 40 0

[0179] It can be seen that composition 5 of the invention comprising 0.1% of a mixture of 25 wt % of 2-isopropyl-5-methylhexanol and 75 wt % of 2-ethylhexyl hexanoate, can break an existing foam within 7 minutes.

[0180] The combination of a beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol, and an alkyl ester of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol, each beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol comprising independently from 8 to 16 carbon atoms and wherein the alkyl of the alkyl ester of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol comprises from 5 to 12 carbon atoms, may be used as a defoamer.

EXAMPLE 3

Importance of Each Component in the Product of the Invention

[0181] 3.1 Preparation of Comparative Additive Packages 1-4

[0182] To evaluate the importance of the specific alcohol and the specific ester in the product of the invention, comparative additive packages 1-4 were prepared. Their contents are described in Table 4 below:

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Contents of comparative additive packages 1-4 Com- Ester (wt %) parative Alcohol (wt %) 2-ethyl sorbitan glycerol glycerol additive 2- 2-ethyl- hexyl mono- mono- mono package octanol hexanol hexanoate oleate oleate caprylate 1 50 50 2 50 50 3 50 50 4 50 50 *based on weight of the comparative additive package

[0183] 3.2 Importance of the Beta-Alkylated Monohydric Primary Alcohol

[0184] To evaluate the importance of the beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol comprising from 8 to 16 carbon atoms, two comparative compositions 9-10 were prepared as described in Example 2.2.1 by using as antifoam, instead of an additive package of the invention, respectively 0.1 wt % of 2-octanol and 0.1 wt % of a comparative additive package 1 comprising 50 wt % of 2-octanol and 50 wt % of 2-ethylhexyl hexanoate.

[0185] Foam formation of both compositions were tested as in Example 2.4.

[0186] Results are summarized in Table 5 below.

[0187] It can be seen that there was no synergistic effect between 2-octanol and 2-ethylhexyl hexanoate. 2-octanol reduces more foam when used alone.

[0188] 3.3 Importance of the Alkyl Ester of Beta-Alkylated Monohydric Primary Alcohol

[0189] To evaluate the importance of the alkyl ester of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol, wherein the beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol comprises from 8 to 16 carbon atoms and the alkyl of the alkyl ester of beta-alkylated monohydric primary alcohol comprises from 5 to 12 carbon atoms, three comparative compositions 12, 14 and 16, were prepared as described in Example 2.2.1 by using as antifoam, instead of an additive package of the invention, respectively 0.1 wt % of comparative additive packages 2-4.

[0190] In parallel, comparative compositions 11, 13 and 15 comprising respectively 0.1 wt % of each ester were prepared.

[0191] Results are summarized in Table 5 below.

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Foaming properties of comparative compositions Volumes of foam (mL) 0 10 Antifoam min min Blank — 600 485 Comparative 0.1% of 2-ethylhexyl hexanoate 500 105 composition 1 Comparative 0.1% of 2-octanol 500 70 composition 9 Comparative 0.1% of comparative additive 475 105 composition 10 package 1 Comparative 0.1% of 2-ethylhexanol 470 43 composition 2 Comparative 0.1% sorbitan monooleate 710 595 composition 11 Comparative 0.1% of comparative additive 630 245 composition 12 package 2 Comparative 0.1% glycerol monooleate 565 490 composition 13 Comparative 0.1% of comparative additive 580 180 composition 14 package 3 Comparative 0.1% glycerol monocaprylate 595 470 composition 15 Comparative 0.1% of comparative additive 500 70 composition 16 package 4

[0192] No synergistic effect was observed with any comparative compositions comprising comparative additive packages 2-4. Each time the comparative composition comprising 0.1 wt % of 2-ethylhexanol, better reduced the foam at t=0 and t=10.