Internal combustion engine cleaning compositions

Abstract

Internal combustion engine cleaning compositions are disclosed. As is known they are water-based and contain at least one primary surfactant selected from non-ionic alcohol ethylene oxides, at least one specific glycol, and optionally tar acid and one or more of the acids selected from acrylic, phosphonic or uric acids. The improved products, which are used to clean, reduce corrosive contaminants and prevent erosion in internal combustion engines, by spraying the atomised compound into the air intake of a running engine, are characterised by including a portion of catechol or a catechol derivative.

1 . An engine cleaning composition comprising deionised water, at least one primary surfactant selected from a range of non-ionic alcohol ethylene oxide condensates, at least one glycol, one or more acids selected from acrylic, phosphonic and uric acid, and which is characterised by the inclusion of catechol or a catechol derivative.  
     
     
         2 . A composition according to  claim 1  wherein the deionised water has a conductivity of less than 10 microsiemen.  
     
     
         3 . A composition according to  claim 1  or  2  wherein the primary surfactant comprises an alcohol ethylene oxide condensate including between 8 and 15 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.  
     
     
         4 . A composition according to any preceding claim wherein the glycol comprises one or more of mono propylene, polyethylene or triethylene glycol.  
     
     
         5 . A composition according to any preceding claim containing 0.5 to 15% by volume of primary surfactant, from 15 to 35% by volume of glycol, from 0.5 to 2% by volume catechol or catechol derivative and the balance water.  
     
     
         6 . A composition according to any preceding claim and additionally containing acrylic acid and/or ammonia.  
     
     
         7 . A composition according to any one of the preceding claims and including 4-t-butyl catechol.  
     
     
         8 . A method of cleaning an internal combustion engine which comprises atomising a composition according to one of the preceding claims and introducing the atomised composition into the air intake of the engine while the engine is running.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8  wherein the amount of composition introduced is 1 to 5 litres over a period of one to 24 hours.