FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The field of this invention is a hydraulic fluid composition having a biodegradable polyalkylene glycol.

BACKGROUND

[0002] In the oil and gas industry subsea hydraulic fluids are used to control the flow of oil deep underwater. Occasionally these fluids are leaked or released into the ocean. Therefore, it is desirable to have biodegradable hydraulic fluids.

[0003] Many hydraulic fluids used in equipment contain water, a glycol and a relatively high molecular weight polyalkylene glycol (PAG) as a thickener or rheology modifier. These three components typically represent more than 90% by weight of a hydraulic fluid composition and it is desirable that each of these components offers a high degree of biodegradability so that the final formulation offers a high degree of biodegradability. The glycols used can be, for example, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, and propylene glycol and are readily biodegradable. The PAGs are typically random copolymers of ethylene oxide (EO) and propylene oxide (PO) (typically 1, 2-propylene oxide) having molecular weights of about 12,000 g/mol or higher. These high molecular weight PAGs do not have the desired degree of biodegradability and have very low biodegradability

[0004] Lower molecular weight PAGs are known to be more biodegradable but do not have sufficient thickening efficiency in a water/glycol base fluid for the desired applications.

[0005] Thus, it is desired to have a hydraulic fluid composition which has a high degree of biodegradability while also maintaining the desired rheology properties for the fluid. Moreover it would be preferable to include a biodegradable polyalkylene glycol at a treat level of less than 30% by weight of the total weight of the composition to help keep the formulation costs low.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Disclosed herein is a composition comprising 10 to 65 weight % water, 20 to 60 weight% of a glycol selected from ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, tri ethylene glycol and tetra ethylene glycol, 10 to 40 weight % of a polyalkylene glycol, and 0 to 10% of additives based on total weight of the composition wherein the polyalkylene glycol has a - molecular weight of no more than 4000 g/mol and is characterized in that it is an oxyethylene/oxypropylene block copolymer having a weight percent of oxyethylene of at least 20% based on total weight of the copolymer.

[0007] Also disclosed herein is a composition comprising water, a glycol, and a polyalkylene glycol having a biodegradability of at least 60% as determined using OECD 301F wherein the composition has a kinematic viscosity of at least 25 mm ² /sec at 40 °C.

[0008] The compositions disclosed herein may be used in hydraulic fluids, particularly for subsea applications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The composition disclosed herein comprises a polyalkylene glycol, a glycol and water.

[0010] The polyalkylene glycol is characterized in that it is biodegradable. Specifically, the biodegradability when measured using OECD 301F is at least 60%, or at least 70% or at least 80% or at least 90%.

[0011] According to an embodiment, the polyalkylene glycol has a molecular weight of no more than 4000 g/mol, or no more than 3500 g/mol, or no more than 3000 g/mol but at least 1000 g/mol, or at least 1500 g/mol, or at least 2000 g/mol as measured by ASTM D4274.

[0012] The polyalkylene glycol is characterized in that it is a block copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide (especially 1, 2-propylene oxide). The block formed from ethylene oxide is also referred to herein as oxyethylene or the oxyethylene block. The block formed from the propylene oxide is also referred to herein as oxypropylene or the oxypropylene block. The weight percent of ethylene oxide is greater than 20% or greater than 25% based on total weight of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide used in making the polyalkylene glycol. According to one embodiment, the weight percent of ethylene oxide is no greater than 45%, or no greater than 40% or no greater than 38%. The block copolymer may be linear or branched.

[0013] In certain embodiments, the block copolymer may have an AB structure or an ABA structure or a BAB structure, where A is an oxyethylene based block and B is a oxypropylene based block. A linear AB structure is formed when a monol initiator is used. A monol initiator has only one hydroxyl group in the structure which is the site for alkoxylation to synthesize the block copolymer. The initiator may be for example ROH where R is an alkyl group. Butanol is an example of a monol initiator. For example, 1, 2-propylene oxide is reacted on to the initiator to make an oxypropylene block (B). Thereafter ethylene oxide is added to synthesize a block of oxyethylene (A) and the final polymer has an AB structure. A linear ABA or BAB structure is formed when a diol initiator is used. A diol initiator has two hydroxyl groups in the structure which are the sites for alkoxylation to synthesize the block copolymer. 1, 2-propylene glycol is an example of a diol initiator. For example, 1, 2-propylene oxide is reacted on to the initiator to make an oxypropylene block (B). Thereafter ethylene oxide is added to synthesize two blocks of oxy ethylene (A). This gives a polymer with an ABA structure. A branched structure is formed when a triol initiator is used. Glycerol is an example of a triol initiator.

[0014] According to certain embodiments, the structure is EO block-PO block-EO block (ABA) , or PO block-EO block-PO block, or EO block-PO block. A linear AB or ABAstructure may be represented by formula I

wherein a’ and a” are independently in each occurrence an integer of 0 to 20 provided that a’+a” is at least 5 and no more than 40, and b is an integer of from 15 to 40.

[0015] According to certain embodiments, the amount of the polyalkylene glycol is at least 5%, or at least 10%, or at least 15 % by weight based on total weight of the composition. According to certain embodiments the amount of polyalkylene glycol is no more than 35%, or no more than 30% or no more than 25% by weight based on total weight of the composition.

[0016] The glycol may be any glycol known for use in hydraulic fluids. Examples of such glycols are ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol and 1, 2-propylene glycol. Mixtures of glycols may also be used. According to one embodiment the glycol is ethylene glycol or diethylene glycol. In fact use of the polyalkylene glycol block copolymers (especially an EO block-PO block-EO block PAG, i.e. EO-PO-EO PAG) with ethylene glycol or diethylene glycol shows an unexpected synergistic effect on increasing the viscosity as noted in Example 3 below.

[0017] The amount of the glycol according to certain embodiments is at least 20% or at least 30% by weight based on total weight of the composition. The amount of glycol according to certain embodiments is no more than 60% or no more than 50% by weight based on total weight of the composition.

[0018] A third component of the composition is water. According to certain embodiments the amount of water is at least 10%, or at least 15% or at least 25% or at least 30% by weight based on total weight of the composition. According to certain embodiments, the amount of water is no more than 60% or no more than 55% or no more than 50% by weight based on total weight of the composition. When an EO-PO-EO PAG is used having from 25 to about 35 weight % oxy ethylene based repeat units, the amount of water is beneficially 30- 50% by weight. When an EO-PO-EO PAG having 35 to about 45 or 40weight % oxyethylene based repeat units is used, the amount of water is beneficially 10-30% by weight.

[0019] An optional fourth component of the composition is an additive package. The additive package may have one or more additives selected from corrosion inhibitors (e.g. ferrous or vapor phase), lubricity aids, anti-foaming agents, air release additives anti microbials, and dyes. The cumulative amount of the additives according to an embodiment is no more than 10% by weight based on total weight of the composition.

[0020] The composition according to certain embodiments meets one of ISO-32, 46 and 68 viscosity grades (ISO is International Standards Organization) and therefore has typical kinematic viscosities at 40°C of about 32, 46 and 68 mm ² /sec (cSt) respectively. The composition according to certain embodiments has a a kinematic viscosity at 40°C greater than 25 mm ² /sec as measured by ASTM D7042..

EXAMPLES

Example 1 - Assessment of biodegradability

[0021] Various polyalkylene glycols were evaluated for their biodegradability according to OECD301F. The properties of ethylene oxide (EO) content (weight % based on consitutent monomer components of the PAG), molecular weight by hydroxyl number measurement ASTM D4274, kinematic viscosity as determined by ASTM D7042, the type initiator used to form the PAG, the structure of the PAG, as well as the biodegradability are set out in Table 1. Higher molecular weight polymers, random structures and block structures with a low oxyethylene content showed lower biodegradability. The Dowfax™ products are block copolymers of ethylene oxide and 1,2 propylene oxide (unless EO content is specified at 0% in which case it is a homopolymer) and EICON™ products are random copolymers of ethylene oxide and 1,2 propylene oxide both from The Dow Chemical Company. Synalox™ 40-D700 is a random copolymer of ethylene oxide and 1,2 propylene oxide from The Dow Chemical Company. The P AGs made with the triol initiator are branched. The PAGs prepared from a monol intiator are linear di-blocks, The PAGs made with the diol initiator are linear tri-blocks. Table 1

“n.d. was not actua ly determined but based on similar products Dowfax™ 63N13, 63N30, and 63N40 biodegradability is expected to be higher than 90%.

Example 2 - Assessment of solubility and thickening efficiency.

[0022] A base oil is prepared having diethylene glycol and deionized water at 40/60 weight ratios. The base oil is prepared by mixing at room temperature. The base has a kinematic viscosity as measure by ASTM D7042 of 1.9 mm ² /sec at 40 °C and 3.19 mm ² /sec at 23 °C. To the base oil is added PAG and the mixture stirred at 50 °C for 10 minutes and allowed to cool to room temperature. The thickening efficiency of each PAG was assessed at treat levels of 10, 15, 20 and 25% (by weight) by measuring the kinematic viscosity of each composition using ASTM D7042. It is desired to achieve a kinematic viscosity (40 °C) of 25 mm ² /sec or higher with 25% or less of PAG. Blends which are clear at each temperature are highly preferred. Blends which are not homogeneous (form two phases) are not useful. Blends which are turbid (but not two phases) are considered useful.

[0023] The results are shown in the following Tables. Dowfax™ 63N13, 63N20, 63N30 and 63N40 all belong to the same polymer (ABA triblock) family (structure shown in formula 1) in which the polypropylene glycol block has the same molecular weight (1750 g/mol) but their molecular weights differ due to their different oxyethylene contents. Table 2a - Thickening Efficiency of Dowfax™ 63N13 in Base Oil

n/d = not determined.

[0024] Since the product was unstable at room temperature no further work at other temperatures was undertaken. The solubility of Dowfax™ 63N13 was poor. This is believed to be due to the low oxyethylene content (16%) in the PAG.

Table 2b - Thickening Efficiency of Dowfax™ 63N20 in Base Oil

[0025] Similarly the solubility of Dowfax™ 63N20 in the base was poor and is believed to be due to the low oxyethylene content (20%) in the PAG.

Table 2c - Thickening Efficiency of Dowfax™ 63N30 in Base Oil

*On cooling to room temperature (23°C) the product had a clear homogeneous appearance.

[0026] The solubility of Dowfax™ 63N30 in the base was good at room temperature and at low temperature. This is believed to be due to the higher oxyethylene content (30%) in the PAG versus Dowfax™ 63N13 and 63N20 which are of the same polymer family but lower molecular weights. At 50°C the product separates into two phases at its cloud point but returns to a homogeneous phase on cooling. It shows excellent thickening efficiency. Only 15% of PAG in the composition created an ISO-32 viscosity grade fluid (32 mm ² /sec at 40°C).

Table 2d - Thickening Efficiency of Dowfax™ 63N37 in Base Oil

[0027] The solubility of Dowfax™ 63N37 in the base was excellent at ambient and low temperatures. Its thickening efficiency was good but required 25% to achieve a viscosity greater than 25 mm ² /sec. Table 2e - Thickening Efficiency of Dowfax 63N40 in Base Oil

[0028] The solubility of Dowfax™ 63N40 in the base was excellent at all temperatures. However its thickening efficiency was low and more of the PAG is required to get near the desired viscosity target of at least 25 mm ² /sec.

Table 2f- Thickening Efficiency of Dowfax™ 81N13 in Base Oil

[0029] The solubility of Dowfax™ 81N13 in the base was poor and is believed to be due to the low oxyethylene content (13%) in the PAG. This PAG is chemically similar to Dowfax™ 63N13 but with a higher molecular weight due to the polypropylene glycol core being a higher molecular weight than in Dowfax™ 63N13. Table 2g - Thickening Efficiency of Dowfax™ DF-l 14 in Base Oil

[0030] The solubility of DowfaxTM DF-l 14 in the base oil was poor. This is because it is a PO homo-polymer (Triol). It also has poor biodegradability.

Table 2h - Thickening Efficiency of random EO/PO copolymers in base oil

[0031] While UCON™ 75-H-90,000, a high molecular weight random structure PAG of ethylene oxide and 1, 2-propylene oxide shows good solubility and adequate thickening at amounts of 15% or more, UCON™ 75-H-90,000 is not biodegradable. At a 15% treat level a viscosity of 25 mm ² /sec is achieved. SYNALOX™ 40-D700 is a lower molecular weight random copolymer (MW = 5000 g/mol) and is also not biodegradable. Even at a concentration of 25% its thickening efficiency does not reach the desired 25 mm ² /sec.

Example 3 - Assessment of base oil composition.

[0032] Different based oil compositions were prepared using ethylene glycol/water, diethylene glycol water, and 1, 2-propylene glycol/water in different water ratios. The base oil and fluid compositions are prepared and tested substantially as in Example 2.

Table 3a - Thickening efficiency of Dowfax™ 63N30 in diethylene glycol/water base oils

[0033] Table 3a shows the effect of different concentrations of water in diethylene glycol when the Dowfax™ 63N30 is at 15%. The optimum concentration of water is 40 and 50% and in practice these are the preferred levels for use in a hydraulic systems. At low water levels (10 and 20%) the fluids were too unstable (phase separation) to obtain accurate viscosity measurements. Table 3b - Thickening efficiency of Dowfax™ 63N30 in Mono-ethylene glycol

[0034] Table 3b shows the effect of different concentrations of water in ethylene glycol when the Dowfax™ 63N30 is at 15%. The optimum concentration of water is 30-50%. At low water levels (10 and 20%) the fluids were too unstable to obtain accurate viscosity measurements.

Table 3c - Thickening efficiency of Dowfax™ 63N30 in mono-propylene glycol

[0035] Table 3c shows the effect of different concentrations of water in 1, 2-propylene glycol when the Dowfax™ 63N30 is at 15%. Although the fluids were clear and homogeneous, the thickening efficiency of Dowfax™ 63N30 in this base oil is low. Thus, it appears there is some synergy between the base oil and the PAG when ethylene glycol or diethylene glycol are used.

Table 3d - Thickening efficiency of Dowfax™ 63N37 in diethylene glycol

[0036] Table 3d expands on the data from Table 3a in that a higher oxyethylene content (37%) triblock (Dowfax™ 63N37) is assessed. Compositions which contain 10-30% water provide good thickening efficiency.