Acid Mist Mitigation Agents for Electrolyte Solutions

Abstract

Sulfonate-, sulfate-, or carboxylate-capped, alkoxylated anti-misting agents having the stricture: R(AO) n X) m ((AO) n H) p , and methods of suppressing mist from electrolyte solutions by adding a mist-suppressing amount of one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of compounds of the Formulas R((AO) n X) m ((AO) n H) p and R 3 N + (CH 3 ) 2 R 4 , and mixtures thereof, to electrolyte solutions.

1 . An anti-misting compound comprising formula:
   R((AO) n B) m ((AO) n (H) p    (I),
   
       wherein
 each AO group is, independently, an alkyleneoxy group selected from ethyleneoxy, 1,2-propyleneoxy, 1,2-butyleneoxy, and styryleneoxy groups; 
 n is an integer from 0-to-40; 
 m is an integer from 1 to the total number of —OH hydrogens in the R group prior to alkoxylation; 
 p is an integer such that the sum of m plus p equals the number of —OH hydrogens in the R group prior to alkoxylation; 
 B is SO 3 Y, (CH 2 ) q SO 3 Y, CH 2 CHOHCH 2 SO 3 Y, or CH 2 CH(CH 3 )OSO 3 Y, 
 where q is an integer from 2-to-4, and Y is a cation; and 
 R is a compound selected from the group consisting of:
   R 1 C(CH 2 O) 3    (II),
 
 where R 1  is H, methyl, ethyl, or propyl;
   C(CH 2 O) 4    (III);
 
   O(CH 2 ) r O   (VII),
 
 
 where r is a number from 2-to-6; and
   O(CH(CH 3 )CH 2 )O   (VIII).
 
 
 
 
     
     
         2 . The anti-misting compound according to  claim 1 , wherein n is 2-to-15. 
     
     
         3 . The anti-misting compound according to  claim 1 , wherein R is the compound of formula (II), and m is 1.5-to-3. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The anti-misting compound according to  claim 1 , wherein AO is selected from ethyleneoxy,1,2-propyleneoxy, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The anti-misting compound according to  claim 5 , wherein AO is ethyleneoxy. 
     
     
         7 . An anti-misting compound according to  claim 5 , wherein n is 2-to-15. 
     
     
         8 . The anti-misting compound according to  claim 1 , wherein Y is a hydrogen, potassium, sodium or ammonium cation. 
     
     
         9 . An aqueous electrolyte solution comprising:
 A) a metal, selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel and zinc, in ionic or dispersed metallic form; and   B) an amount effective to inhibit mist formation from the electrolyte solution of an anti-misting compound Formula (IX):
   R 3 N + (CH 3 ) 2 R 4    (IX),
 
   
       wherein
   
 R 3  is a group selected from:
 C 6 -C 12 -alkyl (X); and 
 R 5 C(O)NH(CH 2 ) z  (XI), 
 where R 5  is a C 1 -C 6 -alkyl, and z is 2 or 3; and 
 
 R 4  is a group selected from:
 CH 2 CO 2  (XII); and 
 CH 2 CH(R 6 )CH 2 SO 3   − (XIII), 
 where R 6  is either H or OH. 
 
 
     
     
         10 . The aqueous electrolyte solution according to  claim 9 , wherein, in the compounds of Formula (IX), R 3  represents C 6 -C 12 -alkyl; and R 4  represents CH 2 CO 2   − . 
     
     
         11 . The aqueous electrolyte solution according to  claim 10 , wherein R 3  is octyl, an octyl/decyl mixture, or decyl; and R 4  represents CH 2 CO2 
     
     
         12 . The aqueous electrolyte solution according to  claim 11 , wherein R 3  is decyl. 
     
     
         13 .- 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . An anti-misting compound having the formula:
   R 3 C (O)NH(CH 2 ) z N + (CH 3 ) 2 CH 2 CHR 4 CH 2 SO 3   − ,   
       wherein
 R 3  represents C 1 -C 8 -alkyl, 
 R 4  represents either H or OH, and 
 z is 2 or 3. 
 
     
     
         19 . An aqueous electrolyte solution comprising:
 A) a metal or metalloid in ionic or dispersed metallic form, wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of copper, nickel and zinc; and   B) an amount effective to inhibit mist formation from the electrolyte solution of a compound selected from sulfobetaine anti-misting agents of formula:
   R 3 C(O)NH(CH 2 ) z N + (CH 3 ) 2 CH 2 CHR 4 CH 2 SO 3   − , 
   
       wherein
 R 3  represents C 1 -C 8 -alkyl, 
 R 4  represents either H or OH, and 
 z is 2 or 3.