Solvent Systems and Methods of Producing High Flash Point Solvent Systems Including Terpenes

• US 20120175562A1
• Filed: 01/06/2012
• Published: 07/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GreenSolve, LLC
• Original Assignee: GreenSolve, LLC
• Inventors: Howard, Harry W., Rexer, William F. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 8,414,797 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 252/364
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 7/20 Diluents or solvents
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 2111/22 Electronic devices, e.g. PCBs or semiconductors
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 7/5022 containing oxygen
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 7/5027 Hydrocarbons

Abstract

Compositions and solvent mixtures include at least one organic solvent and at least one terpene. In some embodiments, the terpene is a monoterpene. In some embodiments, the terpene is pure gum turpentine, oil of turpentine, a component of turpentine, or a combination of these. In some embodiments, the organic solvent is acetone or a green solvent. Addition of a minimal amount of terpene to the organic solvent or organic solution raises the flash point of the mixture, preferably to a predetermined value. The predetermined value is preferably in the range of 110 to 120° F. The amount of terpene is preferably in the range about 0.05 to about 5 percent by total weight of the mixture. In some embodiments, the compositions are used as coatings, such as paints or adhesives. In some embodiments, at least one terpene is added to a lubrication formulation.

Claims

1. A solvent mixture comprising:

a volatile organic solvent system comprising at least one volatile organic compound; and

a solvent formulation comprising at least one terpene component.

2. The solvent mixture of claim 1, wherein the terpene component is a monoterpene.

3. The solvent mixture of claim 1, wherein the terpene component is selected from the group consisting of D-limonene, L-limonene, dipentene, terpinolene, alpha-ocimene, beta-ocimene, myrcene, alpha-terpinene, beta-terpinene, gamma-terpinene, sabinene, alpha-thujene, beta-thujene, camphene, carene, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, pure gum turpentine, oil of turpentine, a component of turpentine, and any combination of the above.

4. The solvent mixture of claim 1, wherein the amount of the terpene component is about 0.005 wt % to about 5 wt % of the solvent mixture.

5. The solvent mixture of claim 1, wherein the solvent formulation further comprises acetone.

6. The solvent mixture of claim 1, wherein the amount of the solvent formulation is about 0.5 wt % to about 30 wt % of the solvent mixture.

7. The solvent mixture of claim 1, wherein the solvent formulation further comprises at least one terpenoid component.

8. The solvent mixture of claim 1, wherein the flash point of the solvent mixture is at least 50°

F. higher than the flash point of the volatile organic solvent system.

9. The solvent mixture of claim 1, wherein the volatile organic compound is selected from the group consisting of:

acetone, parachlorobenzotrifluoride, tert-butyl acetate, dimethyl carbonate, ethyl lactate, xylene, methyl ethyl ketone, methanol, isopropanol, methyl acetate, and any combination of the above.

10. A solvent formulation for increasing the flash point of a volatile organic solvent system comprising at least one volatile organic compound, the solvent formulation comprising:

acetone; and

at least one terpene component.

11. The solvent formulation of claim 10, wherein the terpene component is a monoterpene.

12. The solvent formulation of claim 10, wherein the terpene component is selected from the group consisting of D-limonene, L-limonene, dipentene, terpinolene, alpha-ocimene, beta-ocimene, myrcene, alpha-terpinene, beta-terpinene, gamma-terpinene, sabinene, alpha-thujene, beta-thujene, camphene, carene, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, pure gum turpentine, oil of turpentine, any component of turpentine, and any combination of the above.

13. The solvent formulation of claim 10, wherein the amount of the terpene component is about 0.1 wt % to about 40 wt % and the amount of acetone is about 60 wt % to about 99.9 wt % of the solvent formulation.

14. The solvent formulation of claim 10 further comprising at least one terpenoid component.

15. The solvent formulation of claim 10, wherein addition of the solvent formulation to the volatile organic solvent system raises the flash point of the volatile organic solvent system by at least 50°

F.

16. A method of raising the flash point of a volatile organic solvent system comprising at least one volatile organic compound, the method comprising:

combining a solvent formulation with the volatile organic solvent system to create a solvent mixture comprising the solvent formulation and the volatile organic solvent system;

wherein the solvent formulation comprises at least one terpene component.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the amount of the solvent formulation is about 20 wt % to about 30 wt % of the solvent mixture.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the terpene component is a monoterpene.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the terpene component is selected from the group consisting of D-limonene, L-limonene, dipentene, terpinolene, alpha-ocimene, beta-ocimene, myrcene, alpha-terpinene, beta-terpinene, gamma-terpinene, sabinene, alpha-thujene, beta-thujene, camphene, carene, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, pure gum turpentine, oil of turpentine, any component of turpentine, and any combination of the above.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the solvent formulation further comprises acetone.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the amount of the terpene component is about 0.1 wt % to about 40 wt % and the amount of acetone is about 60 wt % to about 99.9 wt % of the solvent formulation.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein the flash point of the solvent mixture is at least 50°

F. higher than the flash point of the volatile organic solvent system.

23. The method of claim 16, wherein the volatile organic compound is selected from the group consisting of:

acetone, parachlorobenzotrifluoride, tert-butyl acetate, dimethyl carbonate, ethyl lactate, xylene, methyl ethyl ketone, methanol, isopropanol, methyl acetate, and any combination of the above.