Patent ID: 6584988
Filing Date: 2003-07-01
Classification: B09C,C02F

Abstract:
A process for the remediation of soil, rock or water contaminated with volatile organic compounds comprising:(1) forming an emulsifier comprising: (a) a sugar surfactant selected from the group consisting of an alkyl polyglycoside having the general formula I: R1O(R2O)b(Z)aâ€ƒâ€ƒ(I) wherein R1 is a monovalent organic radical having from about 6 to about 30 carbon atoms; R2 is a divalent alkylene radical having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms; Z is a saccharide residue having 5 or 6 carbon atoms; b is a number having a value from 0 to about 12; a is a number having a value from 1 to about 6, a glucamide having the general formula II: wherein R3 is H, C1-C4 hydrocarbyl, 2-hydroxy ethyl, 2-hydroxy propyl, or a mixture thereof, and R4 is a C5-C3, hydrocarbyl moiety, preferably straight chain C7-C19 alkyl or alkenyl, or mixtures thereof; and Y is a polyhydroxyhydrocarbyl moiety having a linear hydrocarbyl chain with at least 3 hydroxyls directly connected to the chain, or an alkoxylated derivative thereof, and mixtures thereof; and(b) a nonionic surfactant, other than the sugar surfactant which, when combined with the sugar surfactant, provides a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance of from about 8.0 to about 13.0; (2) mixing the emulsifier with the volatile organic compounds to form a stable emulsion; and (3) removing the stable emulsion from the soil, rock or water.