Synthetic caustic composition
An aqueous caustic composition comprising: a caustic component; an alkanolamine additive adapted to provide an extended buffering effect to the caustic composition when such is exposed to acid; and water. Uses and methods of using such compositions are also disclosed.
1. An aqueous caustic composition comprising:
a caustic component present in an amount ranging from 5 wt % to 40 wt %;
an alkanolamine additive present in an amount ranging from 4 wt % to 15 wt %; and
water,
wherein the alkanolamine additive buffers a pH of the aqueous caustic composition between 8.25 and 10,
wherein the alkanolamine additive is selected from the group consisting of monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, aminomethyl propanol, propanolamine, dimethylethanolamine, N-methylethanolamine, and combinations thereof, and
wherein the caustic component and the alkanolamine additive are present in a molar ratio ranging from 15:1 to 5:1.
2. The aqueous caustic composition according to claim 1 , wherein the caustic component is selected from the group consisting of: potassium hydroxide; sodium hydroxide; lithium hydroxide; cesium hydroxide; rubidium hydroxide; and combinations thereof.
3. The aqueous caustic composition according to claim 1 , wherein the caustic component is selected from the group consisting of: potassium hydroxide; sodium hydroxide; and combinations thereof.
4. The aqueous caustic composition according to claim 1 , wherein the alkanolamine additive is monoethanolamine.
5. The aqueous caustic composition according to claim 1 , wherein the alkanolamine additive is diethanolamine.
6. The aqueous caustic composition according to claim 1 , wherein the alkanolamine additive is triethanolamine.
7. The aqueous caustic composition according to claim 1 , wherein the caustic component is present in a concentration ranging from 10 to 30 wt % of the aqueous caustic composition.
8. The aqueous caustic composition according to claim 1 , wherein the caustic component is present in a concentration ranging from 15 to 25 wt % of the aqueous caustic composition.
9. The aqueous caustic composition according to claim 1 , wherein the caustic component is present in a concentration of approximately 25 wt % of the aqueous caustic composition.
10. The caustic composition according to claim 1 , wherein the alkanolamine additive is present in a concentration ranging from 4 wt % to 10 wt % of the aqueous caustic composition.
11. An aqueous caustic composition consisting essentially of:
a caustic component;
an alkanolamine additive; and
water;
wherein the caustic component is present in a concentration of up to 40 wt % of the composition,
wherein the caustic component and the alkanolamine additive are present in a molar ratio ranging from 15:1 to 5:1, and
wherein the alkanolamine additive buffers a pH of the aqueous caustic composition between 8.25 and 10.
12. An aqueous caustic composition according to claim 11 , wherein the molar ratio ranges from 12:1 to 8:1.
13. An aqueous caustic composition according to claim 11 , wherein the caustic component comprises: a hydroxide anion and a monovalent cation.
14. The aqueous caustic composition according to claim 1 , wherein the aqueous caustic composition has a freezing point of less than about −18° C.
15. The aqueous caustic composition according to claim 1 , wherein the aqueous caustic composition has a freezing point of about −45° C.
16. The aqueous caustic composition according to claim 1 , wherein an amount of the water is at least 45 wt %.
17. The aqueous caustic composition according to claim 9 , wherein an amount of the water is 70 wt %.
18. The aqueous caustic composition according to claim 11 , wherein the alkanolamine additive is selected from the group consisting of monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, aminomethyl propanol, propanolamine, dimethylethanolamine, N-methylethanolamine, and combinations thereof.