De-carbonizing process for combustion component cleaning

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-8986461-B2
Application number	US-201414216450-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 17, 2014
Priority date	Mar 15, 2013
Publication date	Mar 24, 2015
Grant date	Mar 24, 2015

Abstract

A cleaning composition and process to remove carbon deposits from combustion equipment components is provided. The de-carbonizing composition is packaged in certain embodiments in an aerosol propellant. The inventive composition is also readily used as a liquid or an atomized mist that is readily introduced into the intake manifold through a tube tolerant of engine inlet operational temperatures and conditions. The invention introduces the composition by a process that precludes the need for engine disassembly.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A process for cleaning an intake manifold of an engine to remove carbon deposits, comprising the steps of:
applying a de-carbonizing composition comprising a hydrophobic phase solvent mixture of aromatic hydrocarbons, lipophilic solvent, and a mutual solvent, wherein said aromatic hydrocarbons are selected from the group consisting of: trimethyl benzene, toluene, xylene, benzene, and combinations thereof; said lipophilic solvent is selected from the group consisting of a C 10 -C 28 fatty acid methyl ester, kerosene, C 8 -C 22 alkane petroleum distillates, and a combination of said kerosene and said C 8 -C 22 alkane petroleum distillates; and said mutual solvent is selected from the group consisting of: diethylene glycol dialkyl ether, dipropylene glycol, (C 1 -C 6 alkyl) 2 -O ethers, methyl ethyl ketone, acetone, cyclohexanone; N-methylpyrrolidone, N-ethylpyrrolidone, and combinations thereof; ammonium soap; and water present in amount of more than 5 total weight percent of the composition to the intake manifold of the engine during operation of said engine for a first time period to remove the carbon deposits from said intake manifold of the engine;
turning off the engine for a second time period; and
restarting the engine to draw the removed carbon deposits and said de-carbonizing composition into a combustion chamber of the engine to clean the intake manifold.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein said composition is applied through a tube of the intake manifold.

3. The process of claim 1 wherein said composition is applied as a foam.

4. The process of claim 1 wherein said composition is applied as a spray.

5. The process of claim 1 wherein said composition is applied as an atomized mist.

6. The process of claim 1 further comprising repeating the applying and turning off steps at least one additional time.

7. The process of claim 1 wherein the second time period is 1 to 30 minutes and greater than the first time period.

8. The process of claim 1 wherein said de-carbonizing composition is packed in an aerosol propellant.

9. The process of claim 1 wherein said de-carbonizing composition and the removed carbon deposits chemically react in said combustion chamber under combustion conditions.

10. The process of claim 1 wherein said de-carbonizing composition is applied to a centrally positioned manifold vacuum port of the intake manifold.

11. The process of claim 1 wherein said first time period is 30 seconds.

12. The process of claim 1 further comprising maintaining the engine at 1200 revolutions per minute (RPM) during said applying step.

13. The process of claim 1 further comprising introducing a liquid air intake cleaner following completion of use of said de-carbonizing composition to the manifold.

14. The process of claim 6 wherein the repeating is done 2 to 4 times.

Assignees

• Illinois Tool Works

Inventors

• Hischier Mark E
• Hewgill Gregory

Classifications

• F02B77/04 Primary

  Cleaning of, preventing corrosion or erosion in, or preventing unwanted deposits in, combustion engines · CPC title

• C11D7/5027

  Hydrocarbons · CPC title

• C11D7/5022

  containing oxygen · CPC title

• C11D7/5013

  containing nitrogen · CPC title

• C11D3/43

  Solvents · CPC title