Synthetic caustic composition
An aqueous caustic composition comprising: a caustic component; an additive adapted to provide an extended buffering effect to the caustic composition when such is exposed to an acid; and water. Methods of using such compositions are also disclosed.
1. An aqueous caustic composition comprising:
a caustic component;
an additive; and
water,
wherein the additive buffers a pH of the aqueous caustic composition to between 8.25 and 10, and wherein the additive is selected from the group consisting of:
taurine;
gamma-aminobutyric acid;
aminovaleric acid;
aminocaproic acid;
aminocapric acid;
sulfopyruvic acid;
sulfobutanoic acid;
sulfopentanoic acid;
sulfohexanoic acid;
phosphonium zwitterions with either a sulfonic acid or carboxylic acid group;
phosphoric acids and their esters with an amine group; and
phosphonic and phosphinic acids and their esters with an amine group.
2. The 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 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 caustic composition according to claim 1 , wherein the additive is a
phosphonium zwitterion with either a sulfonic acid or carboxylic acid group selected from the group consisting of: 2-hydroxyethyl triphenylphosphoniurn sulfate zwitterion; (Z-hydroxyethyl)trimethylphosphonium sulfate zwitterion (MW of 200.2); (3-hydroxy-n-propyl)triphenylphosphonium sulfate zwitterion (MW of 400.4); (2-hydroxy-1-methyl-n-propyl) trimethylphosphonium sulfate zwitterion (MW of 228.3); (3-hydroxy-n-propyl)tri-n-butylphosphonium sulfate zwitterion (MW of 340.5); (Z-hydroxy, 1,2-diphenylethyl)-triethylphosphonium sulfate zwitterion (MW of 394.5); (3-hydroxy-n-propyl)dimethylphenylphosphonium sulfate zwitterion (MW of 276.3); (Z-hydroxy-n-butyl)triisopropylphosphonium sulfate zwitterion (MW 312.4); (3-hydroxy-1-methyl)-n-butyl)-di-n-propylphosphonium sulfate zwitterion (MW of 340.5); and (3-hydroxy-2-methyl-4 methyl-mpentyl)-n-butyldiphenylphosphonium sulfate zwitterion (MW of 450.6).
5. The caustic composition according to claim 1 , wherein a molecular weight of the additive is less than 250 atomic mass units.
6. The caustic composition according to claim 1 , wherein a molecular weight of the additive is less than 220 atomic mass units.
7. The caustic composition according to claim 1 , wherein a molecular weight of the additive is less than 200 atomic mass units.
8. The caustic composition according to claim 1 , wherein the additive is taurine.
9. The caustic composition according to claim 1 , wherein the caustic component is present in a concentration ranging from 5 to 40 wt % of the composition.
10. The caustic composition according to claim 1 , wherein the caustic component is present in a concentration ranging from 10 to 30 wt % of the composition.
11. The caustic composition according to claim 1 , wherein the caustic component is present in a concentration ranging from 15 to 25 wt % of the composition.
12. The caustic composition according to claim 1 , wherein the caustic component is present in a concentration of approximately 25 wt % of the composition.
13. The caustic composition according to claim 1 , wherein the additive is present in a concentration ranging from 2 wt % to 25 wt % of the composition.
14. The caustic composition according to claim 1 , wherein the additive is present in a concentration ranging from 4 wt % to 15 wt % of the composition.
15. The caustic composition according to claim 1 , wherein the additive is present in a concentration ranging from 4 wt % to 10 wt % of the composition.
16. The caustic composition according to claim 1 , further comprising a crosslinked polymer.
17. An aqueous caustic composition comprising:
a caustic component;
an additive adapted to provide an extended buffering effect to the caustic composition when such is exposed to an acid; and
water;
wherein the caustic component is present in a concentration of up to 40 wt % of the composition and the caustic component and the additive are present in a molar ratio ranging from 15:1 to 5:1,
wherein the additive buffers a pH of the aqueous caustic composition to between 8.25 and 10, and wherein the additive is selected from the group consisting of:
taurine;
gamma-aminobutyric acid;
aminovaleric acid;
aminocaproic acid;
aminocapric acid;
sulfopyruvic acid;
sulfobutanoic acid;
sulfopentanoic acid;
sulfohexanoic acid;
phosphonium zwitterions with either a sulfonic acid or carboxylic acid group;
phosphoric acid ester group with an amine group; and
phosphonic and phosphinic acids and their esters with an amine group.
18. The aqueous caustic composition according to claim 17 , where the caustic component and the additive are present in a molar ratio ranging from 12:1 to 8:1.
19. The aqueous caustic composition according to claim 17 , wherein the caustic component comprises an hydroxide anion and a monovalent cation.
20. The caustic composition according to claim 16 , wherein the crosslinked polymer is a borate or zirconate crosslinked guar gum polymer.