Cleaning and liquid contact with solids – Processes – Hollow work – internal surface treatment
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-13
2001-07-17
Gulakowski, Randy (Department: 1746)
Cleaning and liquid contact with solids
Processes
Hollow work, internal surface treatment
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260561
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method of using certain aliphatic amines for cleaning swimming pools, spas, cooling towers, and other receptacles having bodies of water therein.
Swimming pools and spas can become fouled quickly and require regular cleaning. Either or both of the retained water (body of water) and the internal surfaces of the liner can become fouled. The retained water can have suspended dirt or flocculus in it and the liner surfaces can have flocculus or insoluble deposits on them. Flocculus and insoluble deposits may form from reaction of mineral compounds present in the retained water with chemicals added periodically for maintenance, cleaning, and disinfectant purposes. Mineral compounds tend to build up over time due to evaporation of retained water, infrequent draining of retained water, and from use of fill water having elevated mineral compound content.
Cleaning swimming pools and spas, especially pools, is difficult. Cleaning usually requires draining of retained water and mechanical scrubbing of surfaces with strong cleaners. Draining retained water can be expensive and time-consuming if a large volume of water must be replenished. Scrub cleaning of liner surfaces is laborious and time consuming.
One method of cleaning swimming pools and spas is to periodically add cleaners to the water so that liner surfaces are cleaned continuously without having to drain the pool or scrub clean it. Certain halogenated compounds may be added to the water to effect cleaning as well as disinfecting. Halogenated compounds however, have proven only partially effective at periodic maintenance cleaning or continuous cleaning of the liner surfaces. Further, the use of such compounds has resulted in residual odor problems, bleaching of clothing, hair discoloration, and negative environmental impact. Certain non-halogenated amine compounds such as quaternary ammonium compounds, guanidines, biguanides and polymers thereof, have been used commercially in pools and spas but have been only partially effective in cleaning. The non-halogenated compounds have proven largely ineffective at“upset” or “curative” cleaning where there is significant buildup of deposits on the liner. The non-halogenated compounds have also tended to react with mineral compounds in retained water to form flocculus and insoluble deposits. This formation of flocculus is undesirable because it adds to the cleaning problem and creates a negative visual impression with end users. End users construe cleaners that flocculate as ineffective.
It would be desirable to have a method of continuously cleaning or curative cleaning a swimming pool, spa, or other receptacle retaining a body of water without requiring draining of the water or inducing significant formation of floc within upon addition of the cleanser.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is a method for cleaning the interior liner surfaces of a receptacle holding or retaining a body of water, comprising an aqueous solution having from about 1 to about 100 weight percent of a certain aliphatic amine or salt thereof, and adding the aqueous solution to the water within the receptacle. The aliphatic amine is selected from among the following: C
10
H
21
NH
2
and R—O—(CH
2
)
3
NH
2
and R—O—(CH
2
)
3
NH(CH
2
)
3
NH
2
wherein R is an aliphatic hydrocarbon having from 8 to 10 carbon atoms and R optionally has additional ether linkages such as C
n
H
(n+1)
—(O—CH
2
CH
2
)
n
′ wherein n is an integer from 8 to 10 and n′ is an integer from 1 to 5. When the aqueous solution is added to the water, flocculus or precipitants are substantially not formed or substantially not visible in the water even proximate to the point of addition.
Further according to the present invention, there is a swimming pool or spa comprising a liner and a body of water within the liner. The body of water has from about 1 to about 100 parts per million by weight of an aliphatic amine or salt thereof corresponding to the aliphatic amines described herein.
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Chemical Abstract, 91-283734/39, “Novel biocidal cpds. used with betaine surfactant—obtd. e.g. by reacting iso-decyl:oxy:propyl di amino:propane with crotonic acid and neutralising with hydrochloric acid”, GB 2242-190-A.
Chemical Abstract, 116:129614w, “Preparation of amino acids and amines as biocides”, GB 2,242,190.
Cooke Lisa M.
Gartner Charles D.
Mendrick Debra G.
Paul George A.
Gulakowski Randy
The Dow Chemical Company
Wilkins Yolanda E.
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