# US 7,611,588 B2 · Methods and compositions for removing metal oxides

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 7,611,588 B2
- Document ID: US7611588B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/000,261
- Filed: 2004-11-30
- Published: 2006-06-01
- Granted: 2009-11-03
- Earliest claimed: 2004-11-30
- Assignees: Ecolab Inc.
- Inventors: Nathan D. Peitersen; Robert D. Hei; Richard K. Staub; Rick O. Ruhr
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7611588B2

## CPC

- C11D 1/345: {Phosphates or phosphites}
- C11D 3/0042: {Reducing agents}
- C11D 3/0073: {Anticorrosion compositions}
- C11D 3/2086: {Hydroxy carboxylic acids-salts thereof}
- C11D: DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL

## Abstract

The invention relates to methods and compositions for removing metal oxide soils from surfaces. The compositions include an anionic surfactant and a pH adjuster at an acidic pH. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method of removing a metal oxide soil from a surface by (1) applying a use composition to the surface, the use composition having a pH adjuster in an amount sufficient to provide a use pH at or below 7, an anionic surfactant in an amount to remove a portion of the metal oxide soil, and a carrier, (2) removing the metal oxide soil from the surface with the use composition, and (3) rinsing the surface to remove the use composition and the metal oxide soil.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for removing a metal oxide soil from a surface of processing equipment in the dairy, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, or cosmetic industries where the metal oxide soil is from a metal oxide additive, the method comprising:
a) applying a use composition to the surface containing the metal oxide soil in a clean-in-place process, the use composition comprising:
i) a pH adjuster in an amount sufficient to provide the use composition with a pH at or below 7;
ii) an anionic surfactant comprising an alkyl alkoxylate phosphate ester, wherein the anionic surfactant is present in an amount sufficient to remove at least about 10% of a metal oxide soil from the surface when the use composition is allowed to contact the surface for at least about 15 minutes at 80° C.; and
iii) a carrier;
b) removing the metal oxide soil from the surface with the use composition; and
c) rinsing the surface to remove the use composition and metal oxide soil.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the anionic surfactant is nonyl phenol ethoxylate phosphate ester.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the pH adjuster comprises citric acid.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the pH adjuster adjusts the pH between about 1 and about 4.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the use composition further comprises additional functional ingredients.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the anionic surfactant is present in an amount sufficient to remove at least about 60% of the metal oxide soil from the surface.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the anionic surfactant is present in an amount sufficient to remove at least about 70% of the metal oxide soil from the surface.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, wherein the additional functional ingredients are selected from the group consisting of a foam generator, a defoamer, an antifoaming agent, a hydrotrope, a coupler, an enzyme, a chelating agent, a sequestering agent, a threshold inhibiting agent, an antimicrobial agent, a fragrance, a dye, a viscosity modifier, an oxidizer, a reducing agent, a corrosion inhibitor, an anti-etch agent, and mixtures thereof.

### Claim 9

A method for removing a titanium dioxide soil from a surface where the titanium dioxide soil is from a titanium dioxide additive, the method comprising:
a) applying a first use composition comprising a surfactant to the surface in a clean-in-place process in an amount effective to remove a portion of a soil containing titanium dioxide, and leaving behind a titanium dioxide soil;
b) applying a second use composition to the surface containing the titanium dioxide soil in a clean-in-place process, the second use composition comprising:
i) a pH adjuster in an amount sufficient to provide the second use composition with a pH at or below 7;
ii) an anionic surfactant comprising an alkyl alkoxylate phosphate ester wherein the anionic surfactant is present in an amount sufficient to remove at least about 10% of a titanium dioxide soil from the surface when the second use composition is allowed to contact the surface for at least about 15 minutes at 80° C.; and
iii) a carrier;
c) removing the titanium dioxide soil from the surface with the second use composition; and
d) rinsing the surface to remove the second use composition and titanium dioxide soil.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the first use composition is a cleaning composition.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the first use composition is a sanitizing composition.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the anionic surfactant is nonyl phenol ethoxylate phosphate ester.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the pH adjuster comprises citric acid.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the pH adjuster adjusts the pH between about 1 and about 4.

### Claim 15 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the second use composition comprises additional functional ingredients.

### Claim 16 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the anionic surfactant is present in an amount sufficient to remove at least about 60% of the metal oxide soil from the surface.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein the additional functional ingredients are selected from the group consisting of a foam generator, a defoamer, an antifoaming agent, a hydrotrope, a coupler, an enzyme, a chelating agent, a sequestering agent, a threshold inhibiting agent, an antimicrobial agent, a fragrance, a dye, a viscosity modifier, an oxidizer, a reducing agent, a corrosion inhibitor, an anti-etch agent, and mixtures thereof.