Neutralization and removal of acids in HVAC systems through the use of drying agents
A composition for neutralizing or removing an acid in a refrigeration or air-conditioning system, the composition comprising a) an acid neutralizer or scavenger such as a metal alkoxide, carbodiimide, glycidyl ether, epoxide, alkanolamine, arylamine, overbased metal sulphonates, or an inorganic base (e.g. KOH); and b) a hydrolytic drying agent such as an orthoester (e.g. triethylorthoformate), acetal, epoxide, or a carbodiimide, whereby the water formed by neutralization is removed from the system. Also disclosed is the use of the composition for neutralizing or removing an acid from a refrigeration or air-conditioning system; and a method for neutralizing or removing an acid from the refrigeration or air-conditioning system.
1. A composition for neutralizing or removal of an acid in refrigeration or air-conditioning system, the composition comprising an acid neutralizer or scavenger and a hydrolytic drying agent in a mole ratio from about 1:1 to about 1:10; wherein the acid neutralizer or scavenger is a metal alkoxide, glycidyl ether, epoxide, alkanolamine, arylamine, overbased metal sulphonates or an inorganic base; and further wherein the hydrolytic drying agent is an orthoester, acetal, epoxide, or carbodiimide; and still further wherein the acid neutralizer or scavenger and the hydrolytic drying agent are not both epoxide at the same time.
2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the inorganic base is NaOH, KOH, or LiOH.
3. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the hydrolytic drying agent is an orthoester.
4. The composition of claim 3 , wherein the hydrolytic drying agent is triethylorthoformate.
5. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising a miscible antioxidant.
6. The composition of claim 5 , wherein the antioxidant is a phenol or phenyl-alpha-naphthylamine.
7. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising a miscible anti-corrosion additive.
8. The composition of claim 7 , wherein the anti-corrosion additive is an alkenyl succinic acid derivative.
9. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising an anti-wear additive.
10. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising a metal deactivator additive.
11. The composition according to claim 1 , further comprising a refrigerant compressor oil.
12. The composition according to claim 1 , further comprising a dye.
13. A method of neutralizing or removal of an acid in a refrigeration or air-conditioning system, the method comprising adding in the refrigeration or air-conditioning system the composition as defined in claim 1 .
14. A can comprising the composition as defined in claim 1 for neutralizing or removal of an acid in refrigeration or air-conditioning system.
15. A kit, comprising:
the can as defined in claim 14 ; and
instructions for use.
16. A method of neutralizing or removal of an acid in a refrigeration or air-conditioning system, the method comprising:
removing a compressor from the system;
flushing the system for removal of particulates;
connecting a new compressor to the system; and
adding in the refrigeration or air-conditioning system the composition as defined in claim 1 .
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the flushing the system comprises blowing nitrogen through auxiliaries connected to the system.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the auxiliaries comprise the line-set, evaporator or condenser.
19. A composition for neutralizing or removal of an acid in refrigeration or air-conditioning system, the composition comprising an acid neutralizer or scavenger and a hydrolytic drying agent in a mole ratio from about 1:1 to about 1:10; wherein the acid neutralizer or scavenger is a metal alkoxide, carbodiimide, glycidyl ether, epoxide, alkanolamine, arylamine, overbased metal sulphonates or an inorganic base; and further wherein the hydrolytic drying agent is an orthoester, acetal, or epoxide; and still further wherein the acid neutralizer or scavenger and the hydrolytic drying agent are not both epoxide at the same time.