Use of activator complexes to enhance lower temperature cleaning in alkaline peroxide cleaning systems

Abstract

The present invention provides for the use of activator complexes to enhance lower temperature cleaning in alkaline peroxide cleaning systems. Compositions including at least one of an activator complex, an active oxygen source, and a source of alkalinity are applied to the surface to be cleaned at temperatures between about 5° C. and about 50° C. The methods and compositions of the present invention provide for enhanced soil removal with reduced energy, water, and chemistry consumption.

1 . An aqueous composition for use in removing soil from a surface using a clean in place process comprising:
 (a) an activator complex;   (b) a source of alkalinity; and   (c) an active oxygen source.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the activator complex comprises a transition metal complex. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the transition metal complex comprises a source of manganese ions. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 2 , wherein the source of manganese ions has an oxidation state selected from the group consisting of zero, two, three, four, seven and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein the source of manganese ions is selected from the group consisting of manganese (II) sulfate, manganese (II) chloride, manganese (II) oxide, manganese (III) oxide, manganese (IV) oxide, manganese (II) acetate, manganese gluconate, manganese nitrate and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 3 , wherein the source of manganese ions is complexed with a gluconate salt. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 6 , wherein the composition comprises a molar excess of gluconate salt to the source of manganese ions. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the source of alkalinity is selected from the group consisting of basic salts, amines, alkanol amines, carbonates, silicates and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 8 , wherein the source of alkalinity comprises an alkali metal hydroxide. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein the source of alkalinity comprises sodium hydroxide. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the active oxygen source comprises a peroxygen compound. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein the peroxygen compound comprises hydrogen peroxide. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the pH of the composition is about 11 to about 14. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises:
 (i) about 10 to about 500 parts per million activator complex;   (ii) about 0.25 wt % to about 1.5 wt % of the source of alkalinity; and   (iii) about 0.25 wt % to about 1.0 wt % active oxygen source.   
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises an additional functional ingredient selected from the group consisting of a low foam surfactant, a builder, a buffer, an antimicrobial composition, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 15 , wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of alcohol alkoxylates, linear alkyl benzene sulfonates, alcohol sulfonates amine oxides, alkyl phenol ethoxylates, polyethylene glycol esters, EO/PO block copolymers and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         17 . A two-part aqueous cleaning composition comprising:
 (a) an aqueous pre-treatment solution comprising:
 (i) an activator complex; 
 (ii) a builder; 
 (iii) a chelating agent; and 
 (iv) a source of alkalinity; and 
   (b) an aqueous override solution comprising:
 (i) an active oxygen source; 
 (ii) a surfactant. 
   
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 17 , wherein the activator complex comprises a transition metal complex. 
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 18 , wherein the transition metal complex comprises a source of manganese ions. 
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 19 , wherein the source of manganese ions has an oxidation state selected from the group consisting of zero, two, three, four, seven, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         21 . The composition of  claim 19 , wherein the source of manganese ions is selected from the group consisting of manganese (II) sulfate, manganese (II) chloride, manganese (II) oxide, manganese (III) oxide, manganese (IV) oxide, manganese (II) acetate, manganese gluconate, manganese nitrate and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         22 . The composition of  claim 19 , wherein the source of manganese ions is complexed with a gluconate salt. 
     
     
         23 . The composition of  claim 22 , wherein the compositions comprises a molar excess of gluconate salt to the source of manganese ions. 
     
     
         24 . The composition of  claim 17 , wherein the active oxygen source comprises a peroxygen compound. 
     
     
         25 . The composition of  claim 24 , wherein the peroxygen compound comprises hydrogen peroxide. 
     
     
         26 . The composition of  claim 17 , wherein the source of alkalinity is selected from the group consisting of basic salts, amines, alkanol amines, carbonates, silicates and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         27 . The composition of  claim 26 , wherein the source of alkalinity comprises an alkali metal hydroxide. 
     
     
         28 . The composition of  claim 27 , wherein the source of alkalinity comprises sodium hydroxide. 
     
     
         29 . The composition of  claim 17 , wherein the builder is selected from the group consisting of polyacrylic acid, phosphonobutane carboxylic acid, HEDP, sodium gluconate, and salts, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         30 . The composition of  claim 17 , wherein the surfactant is a low foaming surfactant. 
     
     
         31 . The composition of  claim 30 , wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of alcohol alkoxylates, linear alkyl benzene sulfonates, alcohol sulfonates amine oxides, alkyl phenol ethoxylates, polyethylene glycol esters, EO/PO block copolymers and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         32 . The composition of  claim 17 , wherein the pre-treatment solution and the override solution comprise GRAS ingredients. 
     
     
         33 . The composition of  claim 17 , wherein the pretreatment composition has a pH of about 8 to about 13. 
     
     
         34 . The composition of  claim 17 , wherein the override composition further comprises an additional ingredient selected from the group consisting of a chelating agent, a hydrotrope, a builder, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         35 . The composition of  claim 17 , wherein the pretreatment composition comprises:
 (i) about 0.1 wt % to about 10 wt % of the activator complex;   (ii) about 1 wt % to about 10 wt % of the builder;   (iii) about 1 wt % to about 5 wt % of the chelating agent; and   (iv) about 10 wt % to about 30 wt % of the source of alkalinity   
     
     
         36 . The composition of  claim 17 , wherein the override composition comprises:
 (i) about 10 wt % to about 30 wt % of the active oxygen source;   (ii) about 1 wt % to about 5 wt % of the surfactant.   
     
     
         37 . The composition of  claim 17 , wherein the pretreatment composition can be reused.