TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention generally belongs to the field of disinfectants, and more precisely it refers to a process for obtaining water-based paint intended for application to the indoor surfaces, which reduces the harmful influence of toxic elements, radiation, odors, bacteria and viruses.

According to International Patent Classification (IPC) Intel. ⁷ subject of patent is classified and marked with basic classification symbol A 61L 9/00 which relates to disinfection, sterilization and deodorizing of air and with secondary classification symbols, by which the disinfection by means characteristic by special forms is covered, for example emulsion, or A 61L 9/014 which relates to disinfecting with agents which include absorbent materials.

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

Technical problem that is solved with this invention is as follows: how to perform preparation of raw materials and carry out the process of obtaining paint for indoor walls and ceilings that will, in addition to the basic purpose of protecting and decoration of the subject surfaces, enable significant reduction of toxic elements, harmful radiation, harmful gases and unpleasant odors in rooms, due to addition of natural zeolites, titanium dioxide anatase type, barium sulfate, bentonite, diatomite, and synthetic zeolites on the basis of their individual properties and synergistic effect.

BACKGROUND ART

Paints for protection and decoration of walls and ceilings of indoor spaces, are generally composed of a single polymer or a copolymer, one or more pigment-fillers, water and auxiliary agents. This technology is worldwide applied for a long period of time to a large extent. With constant technology improvements, significant changes of technology in this area were introduced. In addition to quality improvements, these changes were in large number made in order to raise the level of ecological acceptability, with an emphasis on the use of raw materials with a minimum content of volatile organic compounds (VOC). In some cases, various components were added to these paints in order to achieve active effects, such as: protection against mold, algae, moisture and similar.

Wishing to create a product which could solve growing air pollution problem, author compiled a paint composition after performing a long duration tests, which contains the components capable of such function, and still being ecologicaly acceptable to the maximum possible extent. To materials that are standard ingredients of these paints, the author added active ingredients: natural zeolites, titanium dioxide anatase type, barium sulfate, bentonite, diatomite and synthetic zeolites. This has allowed to the air within indoor spaces to be significantly purified of heavy metals, radionuclides, mycotoxins, toxic gasses and unpleasant odors like of large number of harmful bacteria and viruses. Natural zeolites have very strong affinity to heavy metals such as: lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, chromium, zinc, copper and others, radioactive elements and specially to cesium, stronicium and uranium, harmful gases such as: ammonia, formaldehyde, benzene as well as bacteria and viruses, all because of their specific tetrahedral structure with big share of internal micro porosity. The most important is that these elements remain permanently binded to the structure of natural zeolites, because the process of ion exchange in them is irreversible.

Bentonite and Diatomite (Aluminum phyllosilicates) as co-agents in this invention have similar effect, but their function here is primarily absorption of heavy metals, although it is not limited to it.

Titan dioxide anatase type (in nano particles) is well known photocatalytic agent and in this invention it also has a function of synergistic effect amplifier, with the remark that for it's activity, initiator in the form of daylight is required.

Barium sulfate is a known radiation inhibitor which is possible because of the specific size of it's core.

Synthetic zeolites, types A, X and Y, also known for their affinity to the gases, in this invention have synergic function with natural zeolites.

By the review of the available patent documentation, the author did not find any product of such complex application. However, products that match the invention in some segments were found, in published Chinese patent applications: CN 102690572(A) 2012-09-26 (inventor FENG XIE) for the invention EMULSION PAINT CAPABLE OF ABSORBING AUTOMOBILE EXHAUST; CN 102604491(A) 2012-07-25 (inventor HESHENG CHEN) for the invention INNER- WALL HUMIDIFYING EMULSION PAI T; CN 101381543 (A) 2009-03-11 (inventor HONGTING HUANG) NANO NEGATIVE ION WALL PAINT and in CN 1962776(A) 2007-05-16 (inventor SONG JINQIANG) COMPOSITE AIR PURIFYING PAINT.

Comparison determined that, although they belong to the same classification symbol as the subject invention and have associative names compared to it, they are not comparable to the subject invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Substances which are an integral part of this invention are divided into active (essential) and standard. Their role and application in the invention will be described below, and the share in the composition will be given in percentages by weight.

Active substances that are the essence of the present invention are: - Natural zeolites, such as: clinoptilolite, heulandite, mordenite, natrolite and analcium and others from the group,

- titanium dioxide anatase type,

- bentonite,

- diatomite,

- barium sulfate (BaS0 ₄ )

- synthetic zeolites, types A, X and Y.

In this invention listed substances have both individual and synergistic function.

Main ingredients in this invention are natural zeolites and their mixtures. For the purpose of this invention, they have to be specially treated, and prepared to maximize their effect.

Thus, for example, amount of natural zeolites and/or their mixtures may be from 5 to 35 percent by weight, for example 8 to 15 percent by weight.

The success of the positive effects of the subject mixture according to this inventon is significantly conditioned by the proper selection of raw materials, their storage before production, precisely conducted process of paint obtaining, as well as proper storage and usage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Selection of raw materials was carried out on the basis of long term examinations and tests on different types of surfaces and in different climatic and weather conditions, so they must meet the following requirements:

Natural zeolites must be selected according to strict criteria such as: the percentage of content of basic mineral in it shall not be less than 85% and it is desirable to be up to 92%. Thus, zeolite clinoptilolite must have at least 85% of pure clinoptilolite mineral. This principle stands for all natural zeolites which are listed as the main active ingredients (raw materials).

Furthermore, natural zeolites must be selected by the cation exchange capacity (CEC), which shall not be less than 165, and it is desirable to be 190. Further, natural zeolites must be selected by the content of heavy metals inside, that must be minimal: from 0.01 ppm to 3 ppm when it comes to most toxic heavy metals, while others can be present in larger quantities. The purpose of this is maximum absorption of those heavy metals from the air. Furthermore, natural zeolites must be selected by color. The most acceptable are light gray, light brown and light green. By fine shredding, colors become even lighter, which is of great importance when shading the final product.

The process of preparing and obtaining the subject mixture is performed in the following phases:

1. First phase in the process of obtaining the subject mixtures is granulating and polyphase treatment of natural zeolites. Granulation is carried out so that the granules are from 0.2 to 20 microns, i.e. that their average value is D 50 (or X50) in the range from 0.5 to 1.0 microns. This Is Important In order to achieve as high specific surface area m ² /g as possible, resulting in extraordinary increase of absorbing capabilities.

Polyphase way of processing consists of a chemical treatment in a reactor under the influence of selected tetraacetic acids and drying by spray drying system, achieving reduction of the content of the above mentioned heavy metals.

2. Next phase of preparation in obtaining the subject mixture comprises tribomechanical micronization and activation and it takes place in a specially designed device and the goal of this phase is that these raw materials have increased negative charge and specific surface area related to structures obtained by conventional grinding.

Specifically, in this way, by tribomechanical micronization, particles of natural zeolites and their mixtures, under the influence of dynamic fluid flows collide with each other at speeds of about 1100 m/s which brings to surface defects, but in structure, not like in the case of conventional grinding. In this way, by adjustment of processing time, desired final granulation is achieved and the capacity of cation exchange is increased, which is very important in this invention.

3. Identical tribomechanical processing must be applied to titanium dioxide of anatase type, bentonite, diatomite and synthetic zeolites of A, X and Y types.

4. Fourth phase in the process of obtaining the subject mixture comprises: first of all- a sterilizing natural zeolites (or their mixtures) in an autoclave by a steam temperature of minimally 116° to 160°C, and then their vacuum drying, after which they are subjected to thermal activation at the temperature of 290° C.

It should be emphasized that with natural zeolites, selected and prepared this way, absorption capability is increased by 30 to 70%. This is primarily reflected in the increased cation exchange as well as in release of bigger overall spaces within the crystal grid.

With such preparation of raw materials, the following is achieved:

Titan dioxide of anatas type (in nano particles) used in this invention as a pigment, but with the primary function of photocatalysis, has air purifying capability, noting that it needs initiator in the form of a day light or UV lamps. To some extent this is limiting factor, but nevertheless its effect in this invention is very important, especially in the areas with plenty of daylight. Here, it is applied in the form of white powder. Its representation in the composition of this invention is from 3 to 12 weight percent, e.g., 5 to 8 wt%.

Bentonite (aluminum phyllosylicate with dominant content of montmorillonite) and Diatomite have multiple and synergistic function in this product. Bentonite is powerful inhibitor of organic and inorganic impurities, and, above all, of heavy metals. It has this ability on the basis of extremely porous structure and very low content of heavy metals, so it can inhibit them in very large percentage compared to its mass. It also has the ability to perform absorption of stated microelements in the air with a minimum relative humidity, which significantly helps total synergy of active ingredients in this invention. In addition, it is an excellent adsorbent of harmful gases. In this invention, it is used as a light gray powder, of particle size from 0.2 to 20 microns, where the average value (D50) must be from 0.5 to 1 micron. Representation of bentonite in the composition can be from 0.8 to 2.5 weight percent, e.g. 1 to 1.5 wt%.

Diatomite also has a multiple role in this invention. Due to the high content of silicon dioxide (Si0 ₂ ) and high micro porosity it has excellent absorption capabilities of organic and inorganic impurities. It helps forming quality and waterproof dry film, and at the same time, it is highly vapor permeable. It absorbs sound, insulates heat, increases coating resistance to wear and scratching, speeds up drying. In this invention, it is used as white, finely micronized powder, of particles size from 0.2 to 20 microns, while D50 is from 0.1 to 5 microns. Representation in the composition may be from 0.5 to 3 weight percent, e.g., 1 to 1.5 wt%.

Barium-sulfate (BaS0 ₄ ) in addition to the function of a pigment, has an active function of harmful radiation inhibitor, which is enabled by the core size. In this invention, it is used in the form of extremely white powder, particle size from 1 to 15 microns, where D90 (size of particles in 90 wt%) is of 2 to 4 microns. Representation in the composition may be from 2 to 10 weight percent e.g., 7 wt%.

Synthetic zeolites (types A, X and Y of different aluminum silicate composition) of the present invention have the basic function of the synergistic effect with natural zeolites. This is for distributing the absorption of gases in order for the crystal grids of natural zeolites to preserve bigger capacity to bind heavy metals and other toxic micro elements listed above, having in mind that synthetic zeolites are primarily able to bond gases but not the listed toxic micro elements. However, in this case, they are of considerable benefit in the present invention. For the foregoing reasons, their content in the composition of the invention is lesser. This means that they are contained in the composition in the amount of 1.5 to 5 weight percent, e.g. 2.5 wt . They are used in the form of extremely white fine powder, particle size of 0.2 to 20 microns, while D50 must be from 0.5 to 1 micron.

In addition to the specified components in the composition of the respective mixture, following standard materials are also used:

Water, which is unlike of conventional colors, for this purpose must be deionized or distilled. Its content in the composition of the present invention may be from 15 to 45 percent by weight e.g. from 18 to 25 wt%.

Polymer and copolymer, for example pure acrylate, vinyl acrylate, styrene acrylate, or other known for the purpose. Content in the composition can be from 10 to 40 weight percent e.g., 20 to 23 wt%.

Titanium dioxide of rutile type, has to have the content within the amount in the composition from 8 to 25 weight percent e.g. from 10 to 18 wt%.

Calcium carbonate of whitness over 92, particle size from 0.2 to 20 microns, with the desirable D50 from 0.5 to 5 microns, may be contained in the composition in the amount of 5 to 25 weight percent e.g., 7 of 10 wt%. Talc with whiteness over 92, with particles sized from 2 to 20 microns, with D50 of 3 to 10 microns. Amount within the composition may be from 2 to 5 percent by weight, e.g., 2.5 to 4 wt%.

Additives and special agents which are commercially available and are standards for this type of paints, such as: dispersants, anti-foaming agents, pH stabilizers (balancers), biocides, fungicides, algaecides, thickeners (cellulose, acrylic, urethane, and the like.).

Dispersants can be contained in the composition in amounts of 0.2 to 1.2 weight percent e.g. 0.3 to 0.6 wt%.

Anti-foaming agents can be contained in the composition in amount of 0.1 to 2 percent by weight e.g., 0.5 to 1 wt%.

pH stabilizers/balancers can be contained in the composition in amount of 0.1 to 1.5 percent by weight for example. 0.2 to 0.8 wt%.

Biocides (fungicides and algaecides) can be contained in the composition in amount of 0.1 to 1.2 percent by weight e.g. 0.2 to 0.5 wt%.

Thickeners can be contained in the composition: cellulose (e.g. Hydroxyethylcelullose HEC) from 0.4 to 1.5 percent by weight e.g., 0.4 to 1 wt%.

Acrylic or urethane thickeners in the composition can be contained from 0.5 to 0.05 weight percent indivitualy e.g. 0.08 to 0.2 wt%.

Process of obtaining ecologic water based paint with increased absorption of harmful influence for the interior, with the addition of natural and synthetic zeolites is as follows. Raw materials, prepared and obtained in a previously described way are measured accurately in percentages by weight (wt%) shown in Table 1.

Table 1

17 barium sulfate (BaS0 ₄ ) 2.5

18 deionized water 10

19 dispersant 0.2

20 biocide (benzoisothiazolone) 0.1

Insertion of raw materials in the mixer is performed in the order from the table above. The first eleven of these substances are mixed until homogenization for 20 minutes at the speed of 1200 revolutions per minute. To this is well homogenized mixture, raw materials from the number 12 to 20 are added, and mixed like that they undergo further homogenization for 15 minutes at the speed of 650 revolutions per minute. Homogenizer (dissolver) must be such that it's main vessel and shaft are coated with some type of hard resin (epoxy, polyurethane, acrylic, etc.), and the mixer must be of an alloy that does not contain iron in order to avoid disturbance of charge of natural zeolite, bentonite and diatomite.

Note: Active ingredients of this invention are fully compatible with the paints based on other types of resin such as alkyd, epoxy, polyurethane and similar and because of this, the author is not limited to water-based paints.

In order to better protect the invention, obvious variation of the respective mixture is given, in which titanium dioxide atanas in the form of nano particles, deionized water, dispersant and biocide (benzoisothiazolone) are used in weight percentages shown in Table 2. Mixture prepared like this is applied by spraying on the surface immediately after application of the mixture shown in Table 1. Since the mixture of titanium dioxide anatase in the form of nano particles have much better surface coverage (approximately than ten times higher) results are huge savings when applying the invention.

Table 2

The process of preparation of raw materials according to this variation of the solution is as follows: deionized water is added first in the homogenizer, then Ti0 ₂ anastas (nano particles), dispersant and biocide in correctly measured percentages by weight. That is followed by homogenization for a period of 15-20 min at a rotational speed of 1200 rev/min. Mixture obtained like this is then measured and stored in an appropriate plastic package with the spray.

INDUSTRIAL OR OTHER APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

Industrial or other way to obtain and apply water-based paint for interior walls and ceilings which reduces the harmful impact of toxic elements, radiation, odors, bacteria and viruses, is absolutely possible according to the parameters specified in this description.

Experts in the subject area can with no problems implement procedures for the production of the subject paint using this description. It should be noted that paint obtained this way is one of the ecological substances without any adverse effects on man, environment and wildlife.

Although paints in the examples of invention making are given on the water-based paint, the subject paint is not limited to it because the active ingredients of the invention are fully compatible with the paints based on other types of resin such as alkyd, epoxy, polyurethane and the like.

Because of its proven positive effects, application of the present invention, in addition to residential and business buildings, is especially recommended in rooms that require a higher level of protection from the negative effects of harmful substances. Therefore, its use is provided especially in rooms where children reside (schools, kindergartens etc.), hospitals, operating rooms, waiting rooms and areas in which in order to achieve natural ventilation, windows must be opened and the rooms are located in places with high frequency of traffic, near industrial plants and others.