Chemical Formulations and Their Use in Neutralizing or Eliminating Odors

Abstract

The present invention is a chemical formulation and method of using the chemical formulation to neutralize or eliminate odors on a surface. In one aspect, the chemical formulation is an aqueous solution of multi-valent citrate salts and a surfactant that may further comprise a fragrance and/or a color and/or a chelating agent. The method comprises the steps of applying this formulation in sufficient volume to saturate the surface thereby neutralizing or eliminating the odor. In another aspect, the formulation of multi-valent citrate salts may be applied in solid form to an odorous aqueous solution or may be used to coat an absorbent matrix that is expected to receive an odorous aqueous solution.

1 . A composition comprising an aqueous solution of multi-valent citrate salts and a surfactant, wherein said aqueous solution of multi-valent citrate salts comprises di-valent, tri-valent or a combination of both di-valent and tri-valent citrate salts, wherein said multi-valent citrate salts are alkali metal citrate salts and wherein said alkali metal is lithium, sodium or potassium. 
     
     
         2 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein said multi-valent alkali metal citrate salts may be multi-valent lithium citrate salts, multi-valent sodium citrate salts, multi-valent potassium salts, a combination of multi-valent lithium and sodium citrate salts, a combination of multi-valent sodium and potassium citrate salts, a combination of multi-valent lithium and potassium citrate salts or a combination of multi-valent lithium, sodium and potassium citrate salts. 
     
     
         3 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the concentration of said multi-valent citrate salts in said aqueous solution is from about 0.09 molar to about 0.8 molar or from about 0.1 molar to about 0.5 molar. 
     
     
         4 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein said surfactant is an alcohol, wherein said alcohol is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, primary butanol, secondary butanol and tertiary butanol. 
     
     
         5 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein said surfactant comprises about 0.9% to about 9.0% volume/volume of said aqueous solution of multi-valent citrate salts or about 2.0% to about 5.0% volume/volume of said aqueous solution of multi-valent citrate salts. 
     
     
         6 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein said aqueous solution of multi-valent citrate salts further comprises a fragrance, wherein said fragrance is natural or synthetic. 
     
     
         7 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein said aqueous solution of multi-valent citrate salts further comprises a color. 
     
     
         8 . A composition comprising multi-valent citrate salts and an absorbent matrix, wherein said absorbent matrix is clay or bentonite. 
     
     
         9 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein said aqueous solution of multi-valent citrate salts further comprises a chelating agent, wherein said chelating agent is ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) or its enantiomers or salts, sodium tripolyphosphate or disodium pyrophosphate, wherein the concentration of said chelating agent is from about 0.9 to about 9.0% volume/volume or from about 2.0% to about 5.0% volume/volume. 
     
     
         10 .- 24 . (canceled)