Process and apparatus for re-cycling engine coolant
First Claim
1. A process for physically and chemically treating a used coolant composition of the type used within an internal combustion engine cooling system, after removal from said system, to remove unwanted impurities and degradation by-products including dissolved metals, dirt, silt, salts and other unwanted suspended particulate matter contained therein, said coolant composition containing one or more glycol and/or alcohol-based antifreeze components, said process comprising:
- contacting said coolant composition with one or more known oxidizing agents in an amount sufficient to form metallic oxides from any unwanted dissolved metals present in said composition thereby forming particulate metallic oxide precipitates;
contacting said coolant composition with one or more known salt forming agents in an amount sufficient to react with any unwanted organic acids present in said composition thereby forming particulate salt precipitates;
filtering said coolant composition through any suitable filtration membrane or other separation means capable of removing particulate precipitates therefrom;
adding to said coolant composition one or more suitable corrosion inhibiting agents selected from the group consisting of phosphates, phosphonates, silicates, borates, nitrites, nitrates, azols, modified acrylates and molybdates; and
introducing into said coolant composition one or more known buffering agents in an amount sufficient to adjust the pH of the final solution to between about 9.5 and 10.5 thereby providing a recycled coolant composition having corrosion capabilities equal or superior to that of the original coolant composition prior to removal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A process for physically and chemically treating a used engine coolant containing one or more glycol and/or alcohol-based antifreeze components. The process includes the steps of oxidation with one or more known oxidizing agents, precipitation with one or more known salt forming agents and filtration through any suitable filtration membrane or other separation means.
A chemical additive has been developed for use in carrying out the process of the present invention which initiates and maximizes the amount of oxidation and precipitation occurring within the coolant composition, adds one or more suitable corrosion inhibitors and one or more known buffering agents in a sufficient amount to adjust the pH of the final solution to between about 9.5 and 10.5.
An apparatus for use in accordance with the process of the present invention for recycling the engine coolant is also described herein.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A process for physically and chemically treating a used coolant composition of the type used within an internal combustion engine cooling system, after removal from said system, to remove unwanted impurities and degradation by-products including dissolved metals, dirt, silt, salts and other unwanted suspended particulate matter contained therein, said coolant composition containing one or more glycol and/or alcohol-based antifreeze components, said process comprising:
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contacting said coolant composition with one or more known oxidizing agents in an amount sufficient to form metallic oxides from any unwanted dissolved metals present in said composition thereby forming particulate metallic oxide precipitates; contacting said coolant composition with one or more known salt forming agents in an amount sufficient to react with any unwanted organic acids present in said composition thereby forming particulate salt precipitates; filtering said coolant composition through any suitable filtration membrane or other separation means capable of removing particulate precipitates therefrom; adding to said coolant composition one or more suitable corrosion inhibiting agents selected from the group consisting of phosphates, phosphonates, silicates, borates, nitrites, nitrates, azols, modified acrylates and molybdates; and introducing into said coolant composition one or more known buffering agents in an amount sufficient to adjust the pH of the final solution to between about 9.5 and 10.5 thereby providing a recycled coolant composition having corrosion capabilities equal or superior to that of the original coolant composition prior to removal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification