USE OF ALKANE SULFONIC ACID FOR CLEANING IN THE SUGAR INDUSTRIES

Abstract

The present invention concerns the use of at least one alkane sulfonic acid of formula RSO.sub.3H, in which R represents a linear or branched saturated hydrocarbon chain comprising 1 to 4 carbon atoms, for cleaning solid deposits containing at least one aconitic acid salt. The invention also concerns a method for cleaning solid deposits containing at least one aconitic acid salt, using at least one alkane sulfonic acid.

Claims

1. A process for cleaning, from a surface, solid deposits to be eliminated, wherein the solid deposits comprise at least one aconitic acid salt, wherein the process comprises the steps of: a) bringing at least one alkane sulfonic acid of formula RSO.sub.3H, in which R represents a linear or branched, saturated hydrocarbon-based chain comprising from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, into contact with the solid deposits comprising at least one aconitic acid salt, and b) allowing the at least one alkane sulfonic acid to dissolve the solid deposits comprising at least one aconitic acid salt, thereby eliminating the solid deposits from the surface.

2. The process according to claim 1, wherein the alkane sulfonic acid is selected from the group consisting of methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, n-propanesulfonic acid, iso-propanesulfonic acid, n-butanesulfonic acid, iso-butanesulfonic acid, sec-butanesulfonic acid, tert-butanesulfonic acid, and mixtures thereof.

3. The process according to claim 2, wherein the alkane sulfonic acid is methanesulfonic acid or ethanesulfonic acid.

4. The process according to claim 1, wherein the at least one alkane sulfonic acid is in the form of a formulation, wherein the formulation comprises from 0.01% to 100% of the alkane sulfonic acid relative to the total weight of the formulation.

5. The process according to claim 4, wherein the formulation is aqueous, or organic, or aqueous-organic, or is ready to use, or is concentrated to be diluted before use.

6. The process according to claim 4, wherein the formulation further comprises one or more additives selected from the group consisting of: solvents, hydrotropic agents, solubilizing agents, gelling agents, biocides, disinfectants, bromoacetic acid, peracetic acid, aqueous hydrogen peroxide, rheological agents, texturing agents, thickening agents, organic acids, inorganic acids flame retardants, preservatives, emulsifying anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, ethoxylated alcohols, foaming agents, antifoams, antifreezes, corrosion inhibitors, dyes, fragrances, odorizing agents, and mixtures thereof.

7. The process according to claim 4, wherein the at least one alkane sulfonic acid is used in liquid, gel or foaming gel formulation.

8. The process according to claim 1, wherein the step a) comprising bringing the at least one alkane sulfonic acid into contact with the solid deposits to be eliminated, comprises at least one of contact, immersion, sprinkling, spraying, application of a layer, of the alkane sulfonic acid with the solid deposits to be eliminated, optionally by means of appropriate tools.

9. The process according to claim 8, wherein the step a) is carried out at a temperature of between 20 C. and +150 C.

10. The process according to claim 1, wherein the surface comprises at least one of metal, concrete, cement, tiling, tile, stone, porcelain, wood, paper, cardboard, textile, polymer, plastic, varnish, paint, lacquer, or glass surfaces.

11. The process according to claim 1, wherein the step b) is followed by one or more steps of rinsing and/or drying the surface.

Description

EXAMPLE 1

[0125] Preparation of Tricalcium Aconitate Trihydrate: Ca.sub.3(C.sub.6H.sub.3O.sub.6).sub.2.3H.sub.2O

[0126] This preparation is described in the thesis by Niconor Niconey Reece, University of Louisiana; December 2003, Optimizing aconitate removal during clarification.

[0127] 8 g of trans-aconitic acid (0.0457 mol, molecular weight=174) are introduced into a 500 ml four-necked flask equipped with a magnetic bar, with a water condenser, with a temperature probe and with a pH probe. This is then made up to 133 g with ultrapure water. The solution is then neutralized with 0.2 M potassium hydroxide to pH 11.3, then the pH is adjusted to the value of 6 with a 1 N hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution.

[0128] The solution is then heated to 85 C., and then 228.5 ml of a 0.3 M calcium chloride solution, the pH of which has been adjusted beforehand to 6 with 1 N HCl, are added.

[0129] The reaction medium is heated for 3 hours at 85 C. and a precipitate then appears, the medium is then filtered while hot. 10.6 g of a solid are recovered, and washed 3 times with 30 ml of hot water.

[0130] After oven-drying under a vacuum of 50 mbar for 48 hours at ambient temperature, 7.4 g of a white solid are obtained, and said solid is characterized by analyses of its carbon, hydrogen and calcium contents, which are in accordance with the formula Ca.sub.3(C.sub.6H.sub.3O.sub.6).sub.2.3(H.sub.2O).

Measurement of the Solubility of the Tricalcium Aconitate Trihydrate

[0131] 30 g of 1 M aqueous acid solution are introduced into a 50 ml three-necked flask equipped with a magnetic stirrer, with a condenser and with a temperature probe. The salt prepared as indicated above (tricalcium aconitate trihydrate) is then added in portions of approximately 0.1 g, until undissolved crystals appear (saturation of the medium).

[0132] The percentage of salt dissolved is calculated according to the following formula:

% salt dissolved=w/(W+w)

where W represents the weight of acid solution, and w represents the weight of salt introduced.

[0133] Table 1 below collates the results of dissolution of the tricalcium aconitate trihydrate at 20 C.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 % by weight of tricalcium aconitate trihydrate dissolved at ambient acid tested temperature (20 C.) methanesulfonic acid 12.1% hydrochloric acid 12.1% sulfamic acid 11.9% sulfuric acid <<2.2%

[0134] Sulfuric acid is not very effective with respect to the solubility of the aconitic acid salts. Methanesulfonic acid exhibits, surprisingly, an effectiveness comparable to that of hydrochloric acid and slightly better than that of sulfamic acid. Methanesulfonic acid is however much less corrosive than hydrochloric acid, the released vapors of which are irritant and toxic to the user. Furthermore, methanesulfonic acid is biodegradable.

[0135] Finally, sulfamic acid, waste from which is also considered to be harmful to the environment, in particular to aquatic organisms, is not an acid that can be widely used industrially.