Additive composition for both rinse water recycling in water recycling systems and simultaneous surface treatment of lithographic printing plates

Abstract

Additive compositions suitable for rinse water used for processing lithographic printing plates, particularly to additive compositions for rinse water in water recycling systems, are disclosed. The additive compositions contain at least one water-soluble film-forming polymer; optionally, at least one pH regulating agent capable of maintaining the pH value of an aqueous solution at about 7 or below; and at least one compound selected from the group consisting of phosphonic acid derivatives of formula I. in which X is C 2 -C 6 alkylene or in which: k is 0 or 1; m is 1, 2, or 3; p is 1, 2, or 3; r is an integer from 10 to 20; R 1 and R 3 are each independently H or C 1 -C 4 alkyl; R 2 and R 4 are each independently H, OH or C 1 -C 4 alkoxy; and Y is —R 6 N—(CH 2 ) n —(NR 5 ) q —, in which q is 0 or 1, n is an integer from 0 to 8, and R 5 and R 6 are each independently H, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, or —CH 2 —P(O)(OH) 2 .

What I claim:  
     
         1 . An additive composition comprising: 
 (a) at least one water-soluble film-forming polymer; and,    (b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of phosphonic acid derivatives of formula I                          in which X is C 2 -C 6  alkylene, or                          in which: k is 0 or 1; m is 1, 2, or 3; p is 1, 2, or 3; r is an integer from 10-20; R 1  and R 3  are each independently H or C 1 -C 4  alkyl; R 2  and R 4  are each independently H, OH, or C 1 -C 4  alkoxy; and Y is —R 6 N—(CH2) n —(NR 5  ) q —, in which q is 0 or 1, n is an integer from 0 to 8 and R 5  and R 6  are each independently H, C 1 -C 4  alkyl, or —CH 2 —P(O)(OH) 2 .    
     
     
         2 . The additive composition of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 (c) at least one pH regulating agent capable of maintaining the pH value of an aqueous solution at about 7 or below.  
 
     
     
         3 . The additive composition of  claim 2  in which: 
 (a) the water-soluble film-forming polymer comprises about 0.1 to about 80 wt % of the additive composition, based on the total additive composition;  
 (b) the compound selected from phosphonic acid derivatives of formula I comprises about 0.1 to 30 wt % of the additive composition, based on the total additive composition; and  
 (c) the pH regulating agent comprises about 0.01 to about 1 mol of the pH regulating agent per 100 g of total additive composition.  
 
     
     
         4 . The additive composition of  claim 1  or  claim 2  further comprising at least one additive selected from the group consisting of antifoaming agents, biocides, corrosion inhibitors, chelating agents and surfactants.  
     
     
         5 . The additive composition of  claim 4  in which: 
 (d) the antifoaming agent comprises about 0 to 5 wt % of the additive composition, of based on the total additive composition;  
 (e) the biocide comprises about 0 to 80 wt % of the additive composition, based on the total additive composition;  
 (f) the corrosion inhibitor comprises about 0 to 10 wt % of the additive composition, based on the total additive composition;  
 (g) the chelating agent comprises about 0 to 30 wt % of the additive composition, based on the total additive composition; and  
 (h) the surfactant comprises about 0 to 50 wt % of the of the additive composition, based on the total additive composition.  
 
     
     
         6 . The additive composition of  claim 5  in which the water-soluble film-forming polymer is selected from the group consisting of gum arabic, dextrin, wasted dextrine, enzyme-modified dextrin, etherified enzyme-modified dextrin, carboxymethylated starch, starch phosphate, octenyl succinated starch, alginates, carboxymethyl cellulose, carboxyethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol and derivatives thereof, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyacrylamide and copolymers thereof, polyacrylic acid and copolymers thereof, styrene/maleic anhydride copolymers, vinyl methyl ether/maleic anhydride copolymers, and vinyl acetate/maleic anhydride copolymers.  
     
     
         7 . The additive composition of  claim 5  in which the pH regulating agent comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of citric acid, citric acid salts, boric acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, succinic acid, phosphates, phosphoric acid, and aminotris-(methylene-phosphonic acid).  
     
     
         8 . The additive composition of  claim 5  in which the phosphonic acid derivative is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyethanediphosphonic acid and salts thereof, hexamethylenediaminotetra(methylenephosphonic acid) and salts thereof, aminotris(methylenephosphonic acid) and salts thereof, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         9 . The additive composition of  claim 5  in which the antifoaming agent is selected from the group consisting of silicone-based antifoaming agents and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         10 . The additive composition of  claim 5  in which the biocide is selected from the group consisting of N-methylol-chloroacetamide, benzoic acid, phenol and its derivatives, formalin, imidazole derivatives, sodium dehydro-acetate, isothiazolinone derivatives, benzotriazole derivatives, amidines, guanidine derivatives, quaternary ammonium salts, pyridine, quinoline derivatives, diazine, triazole derivatives, oxazoles derivatives, and oxazine derivatives, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         11 . The additive composition of  claim 5  in which the corrosion inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of magnesium nitrate, zinc nitrate, calcium nitrate, sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, lithium nitrate, ammonium nitrate, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         12 . The additive composition of  claim 5  in which the chelating agent is selected from the group consisting of ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid, the potassium salt thereof, and the sodium salt thereof; diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid, the potassium salt thereof, and the sodium salt thereof; triethylenetetramine-hexaacetic acid, the potassium salt thereof, and the sodium salt thereof; hydroxyethyl ethylenediamine-triacetic acid, the potassium salt thereof, and the sodium salt thereof; nitrilotriacetic acid, the potassium salt thereof, and the sodium salt thereof; 1,2-diaminocyclohexane-tetraacetic acid, the potassium salt thereof, and the sodium salt thereof; 1,3-diamino-2-propanol tetraacetic acid, the potassium salt thereof, and the sodium salt thereof; 2-phosphonobutanetricarboxylic acid-1,2,4, the potassium salt thereof, and the sodium salt thereof; 2-phosphonobutane-tricarboxylic acid-2,3,4, the potassium salt thereof, or the sodium salt thereof; 1-phosphonoethane-tricarboxylic acid-2,2,2, the potassium salt thereof, and the sodium salt thereof; aminotri-(methylene-phosphonic acid) the potassium salt threreof, and the sodium salt thereof; sodium gluconate; and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         13 . The additive composition of  claim 5  in which the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of fatty acid salts, abietic acid salts, hydroxyalkanesulfonic acid salts, dialkyl sulfosuccinate salts, alkyl naphthalenesulfonate salts, alkyl-phenoxy polyoxyethylenepropylsulfonate salts, polyoxyethylene alkylsulfophenyl ether salts, sodium salt of N-methyl-N-oleyltaurine, disodium salt of N-alkylsulfosuccinic acid amide, petroleum sulfonic acid salts, sulfated castor oil, sulfated tallow, sulfuric acid ester salts of fatty acid alkyl esters, alkylsulfate ester salts, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfuric acid ester salts, fatty acid monoglyceride sulfuric acid ester salts, polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ether sulfuric acid ester salts, polyoxyethylene styrylphenyl ether sulfuric acid ester salts, alkylphosphate ester salts, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphoric acid ester salts, polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ether phosphoric acid ester salts, partially saponified styrene-maleic anhydride copolymers, partially saponified olefin-maleic anhydride copolymers, condensates of naphthalene sulfonic acid salts and formalin, alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkane sulfonates, alkylsulfates, alkylethersulfates, glycerin, ethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, sorbitan fatty acid esters, alkyl phenolethoxylates, fatty alcohol ethoxylates, alkyl polyglucosides, N-methylglucamides, quaternary ammonium compounds with one or two hydrophobic groups, salts of long chain primary amines, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         14 . The additive composition of  claim 1  in which: 
 the water-soluble film-forming polymer comprises about 5 to about 30 wt % of the additive composition, based on the total additive composition;  
 the compound selected from phosphonic acid derivatives of formula I comprises about 3 to 20 wt % of the additive composition, based on the total additive composition; and  
 the additive composition comprises one or more additives selected from the group consisting of antifoaming agents, biocides, corrosion inhibitors, chelating agents and surfactants.  
 
     
     
         15 . The additive composition of  claim 2  in which: 
 the water-soluble film-forming polymer comprises about 5 to about 30 wt % of the additive composition, based on the total additive composition;  
 the pH regulating agent comprises about 0.01 to about 0.5 mol of the pH regulating agent per 100 g of the total additive composition;  
 the pH regulating agent is capable of keeping the pH of the aqueous composition in the range of about pH 5 to pH 6;  
 the compound selected from phosphonic acid derivatives of formula I comprises about 3 to 20 wt % of the additive composition, based on the total additive composition; and  
 the additive composition comprises one or more additives selected from the group consisting of antifoaming agents, biocides, corrosion inhibitors, chelating agents and surfactants.  
 
     
     
         16 . An aqueous concentrate comprising: 
 (i) an additive composition comprising: 
 (a) at least one water-soluble film-forming polymer; and  
 (b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid derivatives of formula I  
                     
   in which X is C 2 -C 6  alkylene or                          in which: k is 0 or 1; m is 1, 2, or 3; p is 1, 2, or 3; r is an integer from 10-20; R 1  and R 3  are each independently H or C 1 -C 4  alkyl; R 2  and R 4  are each independently H, OH, or C 1 -C 4  alkoxy; and Y is —R 6 N—(CH2) n —(NR5) q —, in which q is 0 or 1, n is an integer from 0 to 8 and R 5  and R 6  are each independently H, C 1 -C 4  alkyl, or —CH 2 —P(O)(OH) 2 ; and    (ii) water;    in which the amount of the additive composition is about 40 wt % to about 90 wt %, based on the amount of water used in the concentrate.    
     
     
         17 . The aqueous concentrate of  claim 16  further comprising: 
 (c) at least one pH regulating agent capable of maintaining the pH value of an aqueous solution below 7.  
 
     
     
         18 . The aqueous concentrate of  claim 17  in which: 
 (a) the additive composition comprises about 0.1 to about 80 wt % of the water-soluble film-forming polymer, based on the total additive composition;  
 (b) the additive composition comprises about 0.1 to about 30 wt % of the one or more phosphonic acid derivatives of formula I, based on the total additive composition; and,  
 (c) the additive composition comprises about 0.01 to about 1 mol of the pH regulating agent per 100 g of the total additive composition.  
 
     
     
         19 . The aqueous concentrate of  claim 16  or  claim 17  further comprising at least one additive selected from the group consisting of antifoaming agents, biocides, corrosion inhibitors, chelating agents and surfactants.  
     
     
         20 . The aqueous concentrate of  claim 19  in which: 
 (d) the antifoaming agent comprises about 0 to 5 wt % of the additive composition, of based on the total additive composition;  
 (e) the biocide comprises about 0 to 80 wt % of the additive composition, based on the total additive composition;  
 (f) the corrosion inhibitor comprises about 0 to 10 wt % of the additive composition, based on the total additive composition;  
 (g) the chelating agent comprises about 0 to 30 wt % of the additive composition, based on the total additive composition; and  
 (h) the surfactant comprises about 0 to 50 wt % of the of the additive composition, based on the total additive composition.  
 
     
     
         21 . The aqueous concentrate of  claim 16  in which: 
 the water-soluble film-forming polymer comprises about 5 to about 30 wt % of the additive composition, based on the total additive composition;  
 the compound selected from phosphonic acid derivatives of formula I comprises about 3 to 20 wt % of the additive composition, based on the total additive composition; and  
 the additive composition comprises one or more additives selected from the group consisting of antifoaming agents, biocides, corrosion inhibitors, chelating agents and surfactants.  
 
     
     
         22 . The aqueous concentrate of  claim 17  in which: 
 the water-soluble film-forming polymer comprises about 5 to about 30 wt % of the additive composition, based on the total additive composition;  
 the pH regulating agent comprises about 0.01 to about 0.5 mol of the pH regulating agent per 100 g of the total additive composition;  
 the pH regulating agent is capable of keeping the pH of the aqueous composition in the range of about pH 5 to pH 6;  
 the compound selected from phosphonic acid derivatives of formula I comprises about 3 to 20 wt % of the additive composition, based on the total additive composition; and  
 the additive composition comprises one or more additives selected from the group consisting of antifoaming agents, biocides, corrosion inhibitors, chelating agents and surfactants.  
 
     
     
         23 . The aqueous concentrate of  claim 22  in which the phosphonic acid derivative is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyethanediphosphonic acid and salts thereof, hexamethylenediaminotetra(methylenephosphonic acid) and salts thereof, aminotris(methylenephosphonic acid) and salts thereof, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         24 . A method for processing an imagewise exposed lithographic printing plate, the method comprising, in order, the steps of: 
 (i) applying a developer to the exposed plate; and    (ii) rinsing the plate with rinse water;    in which the rinse water comprises: 
 (a) at least one water-soluble film-forming polymer;  
 (b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid derivatives of formula I  
                     
   in which X is C 2 -C 6  alkylene or                          in which: k is 0 or 1; m is 1, 2, or 3; p is 1, 2, or 3; r is an integer from 10-20; R 1  and R 3  are each independently H or C 1 -C 4  alkyl; R 2  and R 4  are each independently H, OH, or C 1 -C 4  alkoxy; and Y is —R 6 N—(CH2) n —(NR 5 ) q —, in which q is 0 or 1, n is an integer from 0 to 8 and R 5  and R 6  are each independently H, C 1 -C 4  alkyl, or —CH 2 —P(O)(OH) 2 .    
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  in which the rinse water further comprises: 
 (c) at least one pH regulating agent capable of maintaining the pH value of an aqueous solution about 7 or below.  
 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24  in which the rinse water comprises about 0.0004 to 8 wt % of the water-soluble film-forming polymer, based on the amount of rinse water.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24  in which the rinse water comprises about 0.0004 to 3 wt % of the phosphonic acid derivative, based on the amount of rinse water.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25  in which the rinse water comprises about 1 to 100 mmole of pH regulating agent per liter of rinse water.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 25  in which the rinse water is recirculated.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 25  in which the additive composition additionally comprises at least one additive selected from the group consisting of antifoaming agents, biocides, corrosion inhibitors, chelating agents, and surfactants.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30  in which the amount of the antifoaming agent in the rinse water is about 0 to 0.5 wt % based on the amount of rinse water.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30  in which the amount of the biocide in the rinse water is about 0 to 8 wt % based on the amount of rinse water.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30  in which the amount of the corrosion inhibitor in the rinse water is about 0 to 1 wt % based on the amount of rinse water.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 30  in which the amount of the chelating agent in the rinse water is about 0 to 3 wt % based on the amount of rinse water.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 30  in which the amount of the surfactant in the rinse water is about 0 to 5 wt % based on the amount of rinse water.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 30  in which the rinse water is recirculated.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 30  in which the rinse water is prepared by adding the additive composition to water selected from the group consisting of tap water, well water, demineralized water, and recirculated rinse water.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 24  in which the rinse water is prepared by adding the additive composition to water selected from the group consisting of tap water, well water, demineralized water, and recirculated rinse water.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 25  in which the rinse water is prepared by adding the additive composition to water selected from the group consisting of tap water, well water, demineralized water, and recirculated rinse water.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 24  in which: 
 the rinse water is prepared by adding an aqueous concentrate to water selected from the group consisting of tap water, well water, demineralized water, and recirculated rinse water; and  
 the aqueous concentrate comprises about 40 to 90 wt % of the additive composition, based on the amount of water in the concentrate.  
 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 25  in which: 
 the rinse water is prepared by adding an aqueous concentrate to water selected from the group consisting of tap water, well water, demineralized water, and recirculated rinse water; and  
 the aqueous concentrate comprises about 40 to 90 wt % of the additive composition, based on the amount of water in the concentrate.  
 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 25  in which the lithographic printing plate comprises a light-sensitive layer comprising a novolac resin and a radiation-sensitive component that is converted to a carboxylic acid on exposure to radiation.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42  in which: 
 the water-soluble film-forming polymer comprises about 5 to about 30 wt % of the additive composition, based on the total additive composition;  
 the pH regulating agent comprises about 0.01 to about 0.5 mol of the pH regulating agent per 100 g of the total additive composition;  
 the pH regulating agent is capable of keeping the pH of the aqueous composition in the range of about pH 5 to pH 6;  
 the compound selected from phosphonic acid derivatives of formula I comprises about 3 to 20 wt % of the additive composition, based on the total additive composition; and  
 the additive composition comprises one or more additives selected from the group consisting of antifoaming agents, biocides, corrosion inhibitors, chelating agents and surfactants.  
 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43  in which the phosphonic acid derivative is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyethanediphosphonic acid and salts thereof, hexamethylenediaminotetra(methylenephosphonic acid) and salts thereof, aminotris(methylenephosphonic acid) and salts thereof, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44  in which the method does not comprise a gumming step.  
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 24  in which the method does not comprise a gumming step.  
     
     
         47 . A lithographic printing plate, the lithographic printing plate prepared by, in order, the steps of: 
 (i) applying a developer to an imagewise exposed lithographic printing plate; and    (ii) rinsing the imagewise exposed lithographic printing plate with rinse water;    in which the rinse water comprises: 
 (a) at least one water-soluble film-forming polymer;  
 (b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid derivatives of formula I  
                     
   in which X is C 2 -C 6  alkylene or                          in which: k is 0or 1; m is 1, 2, or 3; p is 1, 2, or 3; r is an integer from 10-20; R 1  and R 3  are each independently H or C 1 -C 4  alkyl; R 2  and R 4  are each independently H, OH, or C 1 -C 4  alkoxy; and Y is —R 6 N—(CH2) n —(NR 5 ) q —, in which q is 0 or 1, n is an integer from 0 to 8 and R 5  and R 6  are each independently H, C 1 -C 4  alkyl, or —CH 2 —P(O)(OH) 2 .    
     
     
         48 . The lithographic printing plate of  claim 47  in which the rinse water further comprises: 
 (c) at least one pH regulating agent capable of maintaining the pH value of an aqueous solution about 7 or below.  
 
     
     
         49 . The lithographic printing plate of  claim 47  or  claim 48  in which the rinse water additionally comprises at least one additive selected from the group consisting of antifoaming agents, biocides, corrosion inhibitors, chelating agents, and surfactants.  
     
     
         50 . The lithographic printing plate of  claim 47  in which: 
 the water-soluble film-forming polymer comprises about 5 to about 30 wt % of the additive composition, based on the total additive composition;  
 the compound selected from phosphonic acid derivatives of formula I comprises about 3 to 20 wt % of the additive composition, based on the total additive composition; and  
 the additive composition comprises one or more additives selected from the group consisting of antifoaming agents, biocides, corrosion inhibitors, chelating agents and surfactants.  
 
     
     
         51 . The lithographic printing plate of  claim 48  in which: 
 the water-soluble film-forming polymer comprises about 5 to about 30 wt % of the additive composition, based on the total additive composition;  
 the pH regulating agent comprises about 0.01 to about 0.5 mol of the pH regulating agent per 100 g of the total additive composition;  
 the pH regulating agent is capable of keeping the pH of the aqueous composition in the range of about pH 5 to pH 6;  
 the compound selected from phosphonic acid derivatives of formula I comprises about 3 to 20 wt % of the additive composition, based on the total additive composition; and  
 the additive composition comprises one or more additives selected from the group consisting of antifoaming agents, biocides, corrosion inhibitors, chelating agents and surfactants.  
 
     
     
         52 . The lithographic printing plate of claim  50  in which the method does not comprise a gumming step.  
     
     
         53 . The lithographic printing plate of claim  51  in which the method does not comprise a gumming step.