Functionalized cationic polyamines and their use to reduce the ndma formation during the treatment of aqueous systems, and applications in the water treatment industry, including wastewater and drinking water treatment processes

Abstract

New water treatment chemicals and corresponding water treatment or more generally aqueous systems treatment processes are provided, which greatly attenuate the NDMA problem, that is, decrease the formation of NDMA during the water or aqueous system treatment namely in the presence of a disinfectant, and decrease too the level of NDMA in the so treated water of the aqueous system, and in the end products such as drinking water.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A polymer that is a water-soluble cationic polyamine having at least one end group that is a residue of at least one alkylating agent. 
     
     
         14 . A polymer according to  claim 13  wherein said polyamine is an (epichlorohydrin-dimethylamine) polymer. 
     
     
         15 . A polymer according to  claim 13  wherein said polymer comprises units from a secondary amine, wherein said secondary amine is selected from the group consisting of dimethylamine, diethylamine, dipropylamines, and secondary amines containing mixtures of alkyl groups having 1 to 3 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         16 . A polymer according to  claim 15  wherein the secondary amine is dimethylamine. 
     
     
         17 . A polymer according to  claim 13  wherein the end group is a residue of an alkylating agent selected from the group consisting of monofunctional epoxides, alkyl halides, benzyl chloride, dimethyl sulfate, diethyl sulfate, allyl chloride, and alkylating agents represented by the following formulae: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein X is a halogen, 
         Z is an anion, 
         R, R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 , which can be the same or different, are independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkenyl, and aryl groups, 
         n is 0-16, and 
         m is 1-16. 
       
     
     
         18 . A polymer according to  claim 17 , wherein the end group is a residue of an alkylating agent selected from 2,3-epoxypropyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride, 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride, 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl-N,N,N-dimethylethanolammonium chloride, 1,3-bis-(3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl-N,N-dimethylammonium)-N-propane dichloride, 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride, and 2,3-epoxypropyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride. 
     
     
         19 . A polymer according to  claim 17  having at least one end group of formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         20 . A polymer according to  claim 19  having at least one end group that is a residue of 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride or 2,3-epoxypropyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride, having the structure: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         21 . A process of making a polymer that is a water-soluble cationic polyamine having at least one end group that is a residue of at least one alkylating agent, comprising producing a polyamine by reacting:
 a) at least a secondary amine, and   b) at least a difunctional epoxide,   
       and end-capping said polyamine with at least one alkylating agent. 
     
     
         22 . A process according to  claim 21  wherein the reacting step additionally comprising reacting:
 c) a polyfunctional amine. 
 
     
     
         23 . A process according to  claim 21  wherein the secondary amine is selected from dimethylamine, diethylamine, dipropylamines, and secondary amines containing mixtures of alkyl groups having 1 to 3 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         24 . A process according to  claim 23 , wherein the secondary amine is dimethylamine. 
     
     
         25 . A process according to  claim 21  wherein the difunctional epoxide is selected from the group consisting of epibromohydrin, epiiodohydrin, diepoxides, and epichlorohydrin. 
     
     
         26 . A process according to  claim 22  wherein the polyfunctional amine is selected from the group consisting of alkylenediamines having 2-6 carbon atoms, ammonia, primary amines containing up to 3 carbon atoms, and polyalkylene polyamines. 
     
     
         27 . A process according to  claim 26 , wherein the polyfunctional amine is selected from the group consisting of ethylenediamine, propylenediamine, hexamethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine, piperazine, triethylenetetramine, and bishexamethylenediamine. 
     
     
         28 . A process according to  claim 21 , wherein the alkylating agent is selected from monofunctional epoxides, alkyl halides, benzyl chloride, dimethyl sulfate, diethyl sulfate, allyl chloride, and alkylating agents represented by the following formulae: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein X is a halogen, 
         Z is an anion, 
         R, R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 , which can be the same or different, are independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkenyl, and aryl groups, 
         n is 0-16, and 
         m is 1-16. 
       
     
     
         29 . A process according to  claim 28  wherein Z is a halide or hydroxyl group. 
     
     
         30 . A process according to  claim 21  wherein the alkylating agent is selected from 2,3-epoxypropyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride, 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride, 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl-N,N,N-dimethylethanolammonium chloride, 1,3-bis-(3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl-N,N-dimethylammonium)-N-propane dichloride, 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride, and 2,3-epoxypropyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride. 
     
     
         31 . A method of reducing the formation and/or level of NDMA in water or an aqueous-based system, comprising adding to the water or aqueous-based system an appropriate amount of a polymer that is a water-soluble cationic polyamine having at least one end group that is a residue of at least one alkylating agent. 
     
     
         32 . A method according to  claim 31  wherein the water or aqueous-based system is treated with the polymer during a process of coagulation and/or flocculation.