Solvent compositions for removing petroleum residue from a substrate and methods of use thereof

A composition for removing petroleum residue from a substrate, said composition consisting of:

• (a) from about 10% to about 60% by weight of isopropyl benzoic acid ester;
• (b) from about 30% to about 60% by weight of a fatty acid methyl ester;
• (c) from 0% to about 15% by weight of a co-solvent, wherein the co-solvent is a diethylene glycol ether or an aqueous solution thereof;
• (d) from 0% to about 10% by weight of one of a cyclic terpene and a terpenoid;
• (e) from 0% to about 1% by weight of an odor-masking agent;
• and
• (f) from 0% to about 20% by weight of a nonionic surfactant,
• wherein the composition is readily biodegradable, is at least as efficient as diesel fuel for removing the petroleum residue from the substrate, has a flash point of at least 60° C., comprises no trace amounts of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) above the limits disclosed in Method 8260B of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and is non-corrosive with respect to the substrate.

A composition for removing petroleum residue from a substrate, said composition consisting of:

• (a) from about 10% to about 60% by weight of an alkylated benzoic acid ester selected from the group consisting of methyl benzoic acid ester, ethyl benzoic acid ester, n-propyl benzoic acid ester, isobutyl benzoic acid ester, n-butyl benzoic acid ester, tert-butyl benzoic acid ester, isomers of pentyl benzoic acid ester, isopropyl benzoic acid ester, and combinations thereof;
• (b) from about 30% to about 60% by weight of a fatty acid methyl ester;
• (c) from 0% to about 15% by weight of diethylene glycol monobutyl ether or an aqueous solution thereof;
• (d) from 0% to about 10% by weight of d-limonene;
• (e) from 0% to about 1% by weight of an odor-masking agent;
• and
• (f) from 0% to about 20% by weight of a nonionic surfactant, wherein the nonionic surfactant is an ethyoxylated Castor oil.