Safe combustion additives and methods of formulation

Abstract

A safe, metal-containing combustion additive and a method of formulation is directed for use in connection with utility and industrial furnaces. The additive includes a metal-containing catalyst, a ligand for complexing with the catalyst and a solvent for carrying the catalyst/ligand complex. The vapor pressure of the additive is less than about 200×10 −5 Torr at 100° F.

1 . A combustion additive for use in utility and/or industrial furnaces, the additive comprising:
 a metal-containing catalyst,   a ligand for complexing with the catalyst, and   a solvent for carrying the catalyst/ligand complex,   wherein the vapor pressure of the additive is less than about 200×10 −5  Torr at 100° F.   
     
     
         2 . The combustion additive described in  claim 1 , wherein the catalyst is comprised of a plurality of metals. 
     
     
         3 . A combustion additive as described in  claim 1 , wherein the catalyst is comprised of manganese. 
     
     
         4 . A combustion additive as described in  claim 2 , wherein the catalyst is comprised of a plurality of metals selected from the group consisting of manganese, calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, copper and aluminum. 
     
     
         5 . A combustion additive as described in  claim 1 , wherein the catalyst is comprised of a metal selected from the group consisting of manganese, calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, copper and aluminum. 
     
     
         6 . A combustion additive as described in  claim 1 , wherein the ligand is selected from the group consisting of fossil fuel derived carboxylates, natural product derived carboxylates, and synthetic carboxylates and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         7 . A combustion additive as described in  claim 1 , wherein the additive has a HMIS health rating of one or zero. 
     
     
         8 . A combustion additive as described in  claim 6 , wherein the additive has a HMIS health rating of one or zero. 
     
     
         9 . A combustion additive as described in  claim 1 , wherein the vapor pressure of the additive is less than about 70×10 −5  Torr at 100° F. 
     
     
         10 . A method of formulating a combustion additive for use in utility and/or industrial furnaces, the method comprising:
 selecting a metal-containing catalyst for use in utility and/or industrial furnaces,   complexing the metal-containing catalyst with a ligand, and   adding a solvent to carry the catalyst/ligand complex,   wherein the vapor pressure of the additive is less than about 200×10 −5  Torr at 100° F.   
     
     
         11 . The method described in  claim 10 , wherein the catalyst is comprised of a plurality of metals. 
     
     
         12 . A method as described in  claim 10 , wherein the catalyst is comprised of manganese. 
     
     
         13 . A method as described in  claim 11 , wherein the catalyst is comprised of a plurality of metals selected from the group consisting of manganese, calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, copper and aluminum. 
     
     
         14 . A method as described in  claim 10 , wherein the catalyst is comprised of a metal selected from the group consisting of manganese, calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, copper and aluminum. 
     
     
         15 . A method as described in  claim 10 , wherein the ligand is selected from the group consisting of fossil fuel derived carboxylates, natural product derived carboxylates, and synthetic carboxylates and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         16 . A method as described in  claim 10 , wherein the additive has a HMIS health rating of one or zero. 
     
     
         17 . A method as described in  claim 10 , wherein the additive has a HMIS health rating of one or zero. 
     
     
         18 . A method as described in  claim 10 , wherein the pressure of the additive is less than 70×10 −5  Torr at 100° F. 
     
     
         19 . A method of minimizing health exposure to combustion additives to be used in utility and/or industrial furnaces, the method comprising:
 selecting a metal-containing catalyst for use in utility and/or industrial furnaces,   complexing the metal-containing catalyst with a ligand, and   adding a solvent to carry the catalyst/ligand complex,   wherein the vapor pressure of the additive is less than about 200×10 −5  Torr at 100° F.   
     
     
         20 . A method as described in  claim 19 , wherein the pressure of the additive is less than 70×10 −5  Torr at 100° F. 
     
     
         21 . A packaged product comprising:
 (a) the combustion additive of  claim 1 ,   (b) packaging on, around or associated with said additive, and   (c) indicia or labeling on said packaging, said indicia or labeling indicating a HMIS health rating of one or zero.