# US 5,332,447 A · Method of cleaning using a blast media containing a surfactant-clathrate compound

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- Number: US 5,332,447 A
- Document ID: US5332447A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/006,659
- Filed: 1993-01-21
- Granted: 1994-07-26
- Earliest claimed: 1993-01-21
- Assignees: Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
- Inventors: Anthony E. Winston; Benny S. Yam; Keith A. Jones
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5332447A

## CPC

- B24C 11/005: {of additives, e.g. anti-corrosive or disinfecting agents in solid, liquid or gaseous form}
- B24C 11/00: Selection of abrasive materials {or additives} for abrasive blasts (polishing compositions C09G)
- B24C: ABRASIVE OR RELATED BLASTING WITH PARTICULATE MATERIAL

## Abstract

A blast media for stripping contaminants from a solid surface comprises abrasive particles and a surfactant in the form of a granular surfactant-clathrate compound formed of a surfactant and a water soluble compound having clathration capability such as urea. The surfactant reduces the amount of water soluble residues which remain on the targeted surface and enhances the removal of dirt, grease and oil from the targeted surface.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of blast cleaning a solid surface comprising; propelling an abrasive blast media against a solid surface by means of a water-containing pressurized fluid stream to strip contaminants therefrom, said blast media comprising abrasive particles and a surfactant-clathrate compound formed of a surfactant and a water soluble compound having clathration capability.

### Claim 2

The method of claim i wherein said abrasive particles are water soluble.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein said abrasive particles comprise sodium bicarbonate.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein said pressurized fluid stream consists essentially of water.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein said water-containing pressurized fluid stream comprises pressurized air and water added as a separate stream for the purpose of dust control.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5 wherein said added water is mixed as a separate water stream with said pressurized air within a blast nozzle which directs said blast media to said surface.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5 wherein said added water is mixed as a separate water stream to said pressurized air externally from a blast nozzle which directs said blast media to said surface.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein said blast media further includes a flow aid.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8 wherein said flow aid is hydrophilic silica, hydrophobic silica, hydrophobic polysiloxane or a mixture thereof.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein said solid surface is metallic.

### Claim 11

The method of claim i wherein said solid surface is nonmetallic.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein said surfactant-clathrate compound comprises from about 0.003 to about 5 wt. % of said blast media.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12 wherein said surfactant comprises up to 3 wt. % of said blast media.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein said surfactant is nonionic.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14 wherein said blast media further includes a non-clathrated surfactant.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15 wherein said non-clathrated surfactant is anionic.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein said compound having clathration capability is urea.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein said abrasive particles are water insoluble.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein said surfactant-clathrate compound is present as separate granules in said blast media.

### Claim 20 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein said surfactant-clathrate compound is in the form of granules attached to said abrasive particles.