WATER SOLUBLE MAGNESIUM COMPOUNDS AS CLEANING AGENTS AND METHODS OF USING THEM

• US 20080274928A1
• Filed: 05/02/2008
• Published: 11/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ecolab USA Incorporated (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
• Inventors: Sanders, Lisa M., Smith, Kim R., Olson, Keith E., Besse, Michael E., Tjelta, Brenda L.
• Application Number:
  US12/114,327
• Publication Number:
  US 20080274928A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 510/161
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/14 Maintenance of water treatment installations
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/22 Eliminating or preventing deposits, scale removal, scale prevention C02F1/042, C02F1/4602, C02F5/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 5/02 Softening water by precipitation of the hardness
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 5/06 using calcium compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 2111/14 Hard surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/044 Hydroxides or bases
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/046 Salts
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/10 Carbonates ; Bicarbonates
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 7/10 Salts
• CPC Class Codes: C23F 11/08 in other liquids
• CPC Class Codes: C23F 11/124 Carboxylic acids
• CPC Class Codes: C23F 11/18 using inorganic inhibitors
• CPC Class Codes: C23G 1/20 Other heavy metals
• CPC Class Codes: C23G 1/22 Light metals

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions and methods employing a water soluble magnesium compound. In certain embodiments, the composition includes water and water soluble magnesium compound, but lacks other materials commonly used in cleaning compositions. The methods and compositions can provide magnesium ion at predefined ratios to calcium ion in water, such as magnesium ion in a molar amount equal to or in excess over a molar amount of calcium ion. A water soluble magnesium salt including an anion of a water soluble calcium salt is more effective than a magnesium salt with an anion of a water insoluble calcium salt. These compositions can be used for reducing lime scale or precipitate formation from hard water, removing soap scum, or the like.

Claims

1. A method of cleaning ware comprising:

contacting the ware in an automatic warewashing machine with an aqueous composition consisting essentially of water and a water soluble magnesium salt;

wherein the aqueous composition during contacting comprises magnesium ion in a molar amount equal to or in excess over a molar amount of calcium ion;

recovering the ware with an acceptable amount of hard water spotting.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the aqueous composition is substantially free of an additional functional component selected from the group consisting essentially of a source of alkalinity, organic surfactant or cleaning agent, pH modifier, builder, processing aid, active oxygen compound, glass or metal corrosion inhibitor, activator, rinse aid functional material, bleaching agent, defoaming agent, anti-redeposition agent, stabilizing agent, enzyme, chelating agent, detersive polymer, softener, source of acidity, solubility modifier, bleaching agent, effervescent agent, and activator for the source of alkalinity, and any combination thereof.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the aqueous composition is substantially free of chelating agent, surfactant, and sheeting agent.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the water soluble magnesium salt comprises an anion that forms a soluble calcium salt.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein an acceptable amount of hard water spotting comprises up to about one quarter of the surface spotted.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the water soluble magnesium salt is magnesium chloride.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the water soluble magnesium salt comprises an anion that forms a sparingly soluble calcium salt; and

the aqueous composition during contacting comprises magnesium ion in a molar amount equal to or greater than two-times the molar amount of calcium ion.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the water soluble magnesium salt is selected from the group consisting of magnesium acetate, magnesium benzoate, magnesium bromide, magnesium bromate, magnesium chlorate, magnesium chloride, magnesium chromate, magnesium citrate, magnesium formate, magnesium hexafluorosilicate, magnesium iodate, magnesium iodide, magnesium lactate, magnesium molybdate, magnesium nitrate, magnesium perchlorate, magnesium phosphinate, magnesium salicylate, magnesium sulfate, magnesium sulfite, magnesium thiosulfate, a hydrate thereof, and a mixture thereof.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the aqueous composition consists of water, water soluble magnesium salt, and a further ingredient selected from the group consisting of antimicrobial agent, viscosity modifier, aesthetic enhancing agent, lubricant, dispersant, preservative, thickener, and mixture thereof.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the aqueous composition consists of water and water soluble magnesium salt.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein contacting comprises rinsing or presoaking ware.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein contacting comprises rinsing or presoaking a medical instrument.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising reducing precipitation of calcium salt or reducing scaling or reducing solid deposits.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the aqueous composition during contacting comprises magnesium ion at a molar ratio of magnesium to calcium greater than or equal to one.

15. A method of cleaning a hard surface comprising:

contacting the hard surface with an aqueous composition consisting essentially of water and a water soluble magnesium salt;

wherein the aqueous composition during contacting comprises magnesium ion in a molar amount equal to or in excess over a molar amount of calcium ion;

achieving hard surface with an acceptable amount of hard water spotting.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the aqueous composition is substantially free of any additional functional component selected from the group consisting essentially of source of alkalinity, organic surfactant or cleaning agent, pH modifier, builder, processing aid, active oxygen compound, glass or metal corrosion inhibitor, activator, rinse aid functional material, bleaching agent, defoaming agent, anti-redeposition agent, stabilizing agent, enzyme, chelating agent, detersive polymer, softener, source of acidity, solubility modifier, bleaching agent, effervescent agent, activator for the source of alkalinity, and combinations thereof.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the aqueous composition is substantially free of chelating agent, surfactant, and sheeting agent.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the water soluble magnesium salt comprises an anion that forms a soluble calcium salt.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the water soluble magnesium salt is selected from the group consisting of magnesium acetate, magnesium benzoate, magnesium bromide, magnesium bromate, magnesium chlorate, magnesium chloride, magnesium chromate, magnesium citrate, magnesium formate, magnesium hexafluorosilicate, magnesium iodide, magnesium lactate, magnesium nitrate, magnesium perchlorate, magnesium phosphinate, magnesium sulfate, magnesium sulfite, magnesium molybdate, magnesium salicylate, magnesium thiosulfate, a hydrate thereof, and a mixture thereof.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the water soluble magnesium salt is magnesium chloride.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein:

the water soluble magnesium salt comprises an anion that forms an sparingly soluble calcium salt; and

the aqueous composition during contacting comprises magnesium ion in a molar amount equal to or greater than two-times the molar amount of calcium ion.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein an acceptable amount of hard water spotting comprises up to about one quarter of the surface containing spots.

23. The method of claim 15, wherein the aqueous composition consists of water, water soluble magnesium salt, and a further ingredient selected from the group consisting of antimicrobial agent, viscosity modifier, aesthetic enhancing agent, lubricant, dispersant, preservative, thickener, and mixture thereof.

24. The method of claim 15, wherein the aqueous composition consists of water and water soluble magnesium salt.

25. The method of claim 15, further comprising reducing precipitation of calcium salt, scaling, or solid deposits.

26. The method of claim 15, wherein the aqueous composition during contacting comprises magnesium ion at a molar ratio of magnesium to calcium greater than or equal to one.

27. The method of claim 15, wherein contacting comprises rinsing the hard surface.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the hard surface is selected from the group consisting essentially of ceramic tile, a window, and a combination thereof.

29. The method of claim 15, wherein the hard surface includes soap scum and contacting removes soap scum from the surface.

30. A method of cleaning ware comprising:

contacting the ware in an automatic warewashing machine with an aqueous composition consisting of water, a water soluble magnesium salt and a further ingredient selected from the group consisting of water, antimicrobial agent, viscosity modifier, aesthetic enhancing agent, lubricant, dispersant, preservative, thickener, or mixture thereof,

wherein the aqueous composition during contacting comprises magnesium ion in a molar amount equal to or in excess over a molar amount of calcium ion;

recovering the ware with an acceptable amount of hard water spotting.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the water soluble magnesium salt comprises an anion that forms a soluble calcium salt.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the water soluble magnesium salt is selected from the group consisting of magnesium acetate, magnesium benzoate, magnesium bromide, magnesium bromate, magnesium chlorate, magnesium chloride, magnesium chromate, magnesium citrate, magnesium formate, magnesium hexafluorosilicate, magnesium iodate, magnesium iodide, magnesium lactate, magnesium molybdate, magnesium nitrate, magnesium perchlorate, magnesium phosphinate, magnesium salicylate, magnesium sulfate, magnesium sulfite, magnesium thiosulfate, a hydrate thereof, and a mixture thereof.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the water soluble magnesium salt is magnesium chloride.

34. The method of claim 30, wherein:

the water soluble magnesium salt comprises an anion that forms an insoluble calcium salt; and

the aqueous composition during contacting comprises magnesium ion in a molar amount equal to or greater than two-times the molar amount of calcium ion.

35. The method of claim 30, wherein an acceptable amount of hard water spotting comprises up to about one quarter of the surface spotted.

36. The method of claim 30, wherein the aqueous composition consists of water and water soluble magnesium salt.

37. A method of cleaning a hard surface comprising:

contacting the hard surface with an aqueous composition consisting of water, a water soluble magnesium salt and a further ingredient selected from the group consisting of water, antimicrobial agent, viscosity modifier, aesthetic enhancing agent, lubricant, dispersant, preservative, thickener, or mixture thereof,

wherein the aqueous composition during contacting comprises magnesium ion in a molar amount equal to or in excess over a molar amount of calcium ion;

achieving hard surface with an acceptable amount of hard water spotting.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the water soluble magnesium salt comprises an anion that forms a soluble calcium salt.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the water soluble magnesium salt is selected from the group consisting of magnesium acetate, magnesium benzoate, magnesium bromide, magnesium bromate, magnesium chlorate, magnesium chloride, magnesium chromate, magnesium citrate, magnesium formate, magnesium hexafluorosilicate, magnesium iodate, magnesium iodide, magnesium lactate, magnesium molybdate, magnesium nitrate, magnesium perchlorate, magnesium phosphinate, magnesium salicylate, magnesium sulfate, magnesium sulfite, magnesium thiosulfate, a hydrate thereof, and a mixture thereof.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein the water soluble magnesium salt is magnesium chloride.

41. The method of claim 37, wherein:

the water soluble magnesium salt comprises an anion that forms an insoluble calcium salt; and

the aqueous composition during contacting comprises magnesium ion in a molar amount equal to or greater than two-times the molar amount of calcium ion.

42. The method of claim 37, wherein the aqueous composition consists of water and water soluble magnesium salt.

43. The method of claim 37, wherein an acceptable amount of hard water spotting comprises up to about one quarter of the surface spotted.

44. A method of removing soap scum from an object, the method comprising:

contacting the soap scum on the object with an aqueous composition consisting essentially of water and a water soluble magnesium salt;

removing soap scum from the object.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein removing the soap scum results in a shiny surface.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein the soap scum comprises calcium salt of fatty acid, triglyceride, and protein.

47. A method of removing soap scum from an object, the method comprising:

contacting the soap scum on the object with an aqueous composition consisting of water, a water soluble magnesium salt and a further ingredient selected from the group consisting of water, antimicrobial agent, viscosity modifier, aesthetic enhancing agent, lubricant, dispersant, preservative, thickener, or mixture thereof,

removing soap scum from the object.

48. An aqueous hard surface cleaner consisting essentially of water and a water soluble magnesium salt;

wherein upon dilution for use as a hard surface cleaner the composition comprises the magnesium ion in a molar amount equal to or in excess over a molar amount of calcium ion; and

the composition is substantially free of chelating agent, surfactant, and sheeting agent.

49. The composition of claim 48, wherein the composition is substantially free of any component selected from the group consisting essentially of source of alkalinity, organic surfactant or cleaning agent, pH modifier, builder, processing aid, active oxygen compound, glass or metal corrosion inhibitor, activator, rinse aid functional material, bleaching agent, defoaming agent, anti-redeposition agent, stabilizing agent, enzyme, chelating agent, detersive polymer, softener, source of acidity, solubility modifier, bleaching agent, effervescent agent, and activator for the source of alkalinity, and any combination thereof.

50. The composition of claim 48, wherein the water soluble magnesium salt comprises an anion that forms a soluble calcium salt.

51. The method of claim 48, wherein the water soluble magnesium salt is selected from the group consisting of magnesium acetate, magnesium benzoate, magnesium bromide, magnesium bromate, magnesium chlorate, magnesium chloride, magnesium chromate, magnesium citrate, magnesium formate, magnesium hexafluorosilicate, magnesium iodate, magnesium iodide, magnesium lactate, magnesium molybdate, magnesium nitrate, magnesium perchlorate, magnesium phosphinate, magnesium salicylate, magnesium sulfate, magnesium sulfite, magnesium thiosulfate, a hydrate thereof, and a mixture thereof.

52. The composition of claim 48, wherein the composition consists of water and water soluble magnesium salt.

53. The composition of claim 48, wherein the composition consists essentially of water, water soluble magnesium salt, and a further ingredient selected from the group consisting of antimicrobial agent, viscosity modifier, aesthetic enhancing agent, lubricant, dispersant, preservative, thickener, or mixture thereof.

54. The composition of claim 48, wherein the water soluble magnesium salt is magnesium chloride.

55. The composition of claim 48, wherein upon dilution for use the composition comprises the magnesium ion at a wt-% greater than or equal to one half times a wt-% of calcium ion.

56. The composition of claim 48, wherein:

the water soluble magnesium salt comprises an anion that forms a sparingly soluble calcium salt; and

the aqueous composition, upon dilution for use, comprises magnesium ion in a molar amount equal to or greater than two-times the molar amount of calcium ion.

57. A composition for cleaning ware consisting essentially of water and a water soluble magnesium salt;

wherein upon dilution for use cleaning ware, the composition comprises the magnesium ion in a molar amount equal to or in excess over a molar amount of calcium ion; and

the composition is substantially free of chelating agent, surfactant, and sheeting agent.

58. The composition of claim 57, wherein the composition is substantially free a component selected from the group consisting essentially of source of alkalinity, organic surfactant or cleaning agent, pH modifier, builder, processing aid, active oxygen compound, glass or metal corrosion inhibitor, activator, rinse aid functional material, bleaching agent, defoaming agent, anti-redeposition agent, stabilizing agent, enzyme, chelating agent, detersive polymer, softener, source of acidity, solubility modifier, bleaching agent, effervescent agent, activator for the source of alkalinity, and combinations thereof.

59. The composition of claim 57, wherein the water soluble magnesium salt comprises an anion that forms a soluble calcium salt.

60. The method of claim 57, wherein the water soluble magnesium salt is selected from the group consisting of magnesium acetate, magnesium benzoate, magnesium bromide, magnesium bromate, magnesium chlorate, magnesium chloride, magnesium chromate, magnesium citrate, magnesium formate, magnesium hexafluorosilicate, magnesium iodate, magnesium iodide, magnesium lactate, magnesium molybdate, magnesium nitrate, magnesium perchlorate, magnesium phosphinate, magnesium salicylate, magnesium sulfate, magnesium sulfite, magnesium thiosulfate, a hydrate thereof, and a mixture thereof.

61. The composition of claim 57, wherein the composition consists of water and water soluble magnesium salt.

62. The composition of claim 57, wherein the water soluble magnesium salt is magnesium chloride.

63. The composition of claim 57, wherein upon dilution for use the composition comprises the magnesium ion at a molar ratio of magnesium to calcium greater than or equal to one.

64. The composition of claim 57, wherein:

the water soluble magnesium salt comprises an anion that forms a sparingly soluble calcium salt; and

the aqueous composition, upon dilution for use, comprises magnesium ion in a molar ratio of magnesium to calcium equal to or greater than one.

65. An aqueous hard surface cleaner consisting of water, a water soluble magnesium salt, and a further ingredient selected from the group consisting of water, antimicrobial agent, viscosity modifier, aesthetic enhancing agent, lubricant, dispersant, preservative, thickener, or mixture thereof,

wherein upon dilution for use as a hard surface cleaner the composition comprises the magnesium ion in a molar amount equal to or in excess over a molar amount of calcium ion.

66. The composition of claim 65, wherein the water soluble magnesium salt comprises an anion that forms a soluble calcium salt.

67. The method of claim 65, wherein the water soluble magnesium salt is selected from the group consisting of magnesium acetate, magnesium benzoate, magnesium bromide, magnesium bromate, magnesium chlorate, magnesium chloride, magnesium chromate, magnesium citrate, magnesium formate, magnesium hexafluorosilicate, magnesium iodate, magnesium iodide, magnesium lactate, magnesium molybdate, magnesium nitrate, magnesium perchlorate, magnesium phosphinate, magnesium salicylate, magnesium sulfate, magnesium sulfite, magnesium thiosulfate, a hydrate thereof, and a mixture thereof.

68. The composition of claim 65, wherein the composition consists of water and water soluble magnesium salt.

69. The composition of claim 65, wherein the water soluble magnesium salt is magnesium chloride.

70. The composition of claim 65, wherein upon dilution for use the composition comprises the magnesium ion at a molar ratio of magnesium to calcium greater than or equal to one.

71. The composition of claim 65, wherein:

the water soluble magnesium salt comprises an anion that forms an insoluble calcium salt; and

the aqueous composition, upon dilution for use, comprises magnesium ion in a molar amount equal to or greater than two-times the molar amount of calcium ion.

72. A composition for cleaning ware consisting of water, a water soluble magnesium salt, and a further ingredient selected from the group consisting of water, antimicrobial agent, viscosity modifier, aesthetic enhancing agent, lubricant, dispersant, preservative, thickener, or mixture thereof,

wherein upon dilution for use as a hard surface cleaner the composition comprises the magnesium ion in a molar amount equal to or in excess over a molar amount of calcium ion.

73. The composition of claim 72, wherein the water soluble magnesium salt comprises an anion that forms a soluble calcium salt.

74. The method of claim 72, wherein the water soluble magnesium salt is selected from the group consisting of magnesium acetate, magnesium benzoate, magnesium bromide, magnesium bromate, magnesium chlorate, magnesium chloride, magnesium chromate, magnesium citrate, magnesium formate, magnesium hexafluorosilicate, magnesium iodate, magnesium iodide, magnesium lactate, magnesium molybdate, magnesium nitrate, magnesium perchlorate, magnesium phosphinate, magnesium salicylate, magnesium sulfate, magnesium sulfite, magnesium thiosulfate, a hydrate thereof, and a mixture thereof.

75. The composition of claim 72, wherein the composition consists of water and water soluble magnesium salt.

76. The composition of claim 72, wherein the composition consists essentially of water, water soluble magnesium salt, and a further ingredient selected from the group consisting of antimicrobial agent, viscosity modifier, aesthetic enhancing agent, lubricant, dispersant, preservative, thickener, or mixture thereof.

77. The composition of claim 72, wherein the water soluble magnesium salt is magnesium chloride.

78. The composition of claim 72, wherein upon dilution for use the composition comprises the magnesium ion at a wt-% greater than or equal to one half times a wt-% of calcium ion.

79. The composition of claim 72, wherein:

the water soluble magnesium salt comprises an anion that forms an insoluble calcium salt; and

the aqueous composition, upon dilution for use, comprises magnesium ion in a molar amount equal to or greater than two-times the molar amount of calcium ion.