Alkyl ethanolamines for the control of mycobacteria in functional fluid

Abstract

An antimicrobial composition for inhibiting the growth of Mycobacteria in industrial fluids is provided. The antimicrobial composition is an alky ethanolamine of the formula R x —NH z —(CH 2 CH 2 OH) y wherein R is a C 3 to C 16 alkyl group either linear or branched, x and y are 1 or 2, z is 0 or 1, x+y is not greater than 3, when x or y is 2 than z is 0 and when x is 2 the R groups are the same or different C 3 to C 16 alkyl groups

1 . A method of inhibiting the growth of Mycobacteria in an aqueous fluid medium susceptible to such growth comprising adding to said medium an antimicrobially effective amount of an alkyl ethanolamine of the formula  
         R x —NH z —(CH 2 CH 2 OH) y    
       wherein R is a C 3  to C 16  alkyl group either linear or branched, x and y are 1 or 2, z is 0 or 1, x+y is not greater than 3, when x or y is 2 than z is 0 and when x is 2 the R groups are the same or different C 3  to C 16  alkyl groups.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the concentration of alkyl ethanolamine in said aqueous fluid ranges from about 400 to 2000 parts per million parts by weight of the aqueous medium.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said alkyl ethanolamine is an octyl ethanolamine  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said aqueous fluid medium comprises an oil in water or a water in oil emulsion.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the aqueous fluid medium is a metalworking coolant fluid.