The document discusses green solvents and ionic liquids as alternatives to traditional water-based cleaning formulations. It introduces Waterless Cleaning LLC, which aims to license green solvent formulations and sell ionic liquids. Their primary project is developing a waterless laundry cleaning system using green solvents and ionic liquids. Theoretical cost comparisons for a local hotel suggest the solvent system could cost less than their current water-based system after the first month. Benefits of the solvent system include energy and water efficiency, recycling of solvents, and equal or better cleaning performance compared to water.

1. Green Solvents and Ionic Liquids:
Formulating for the Sustainable Future
Stanley S. Seelig, President/Owner
Anthony O’Lenick, Managing Dir/Owner
Waterless Cleaning LLC
The 101st American Oil Chemist’s Society Annual & Expo May 18, 2010

2. Green Solvents and Ionic Liquids
Waterless Cleaning LLC is
100 % owned by Stan Seelig and Tony O’Lenick, with combined 60 years of
industrial/consumer experience in cleaning/personal care
Mission Statement
To provide green/sustainable cleaning formulations using “green” solvents and
ionic liquid co-solvents for the replacement of wasteful, water-based
formulations and practices
Company Vision
1. To license green and sustainable solvent-based cleaning formulations to
industry.
2. To sell specialty ionic liquids that provide multiple benefits for a lower overall
cost into cleaning/other markets.
May 18, 2010

3. Green Solvents and Ionic Liquids
What are “Green” Solvents ?
(for our applications)
• Not halogenated, non-flammable (< 100 0C), non-hazardous, non-toxic
• Low /no VOC
• BP < 200 0C
• Biodegradable, stable, recyclable
• Low water solubility (< 5 wt% in solvent)
Best choices are solvents derived from bio-diesel, plant, natural products
May 18, 2010

4. Green Solvents and Ionic Liquids
Choosing the Right Green Solvent(s)
Considerations
• Low pricing (< $ 1.50/lb)
• World-wide availability, high volume potential
• Safe for people /environment
• Low /no VOC
• Compatibilities (w/equipment /materials to be cleaned)
• Equipment design
• Examples – dibasic esters, lactates, soy-based, Si-based, others
May 18, 2010

5. Green Solvents and Ionic Liquids
What are Ionic Liquids (ILS) ?
Our ILs are:
• Combinations of cations(+) and anions(-)
• Liquids (viscous) at room temperature (RTILs)
• Cross between “Green” solvents and surfactants
• Hydrophobic, non-halogenated, no unusual cyclic structures,
conductive, simple
• Less expensive (ours < $1/gm, others > $100/gm)
May 18, 2010

6. Green Solvents and Ionic Liquids
Applications for Ionic Liquids
• Solvents for pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Lubricants
• Extending the life of a lithium battery
• Dispersants in paints
• Solar energy (heat transfer and storage medium)
• Electrochemical applications
• Cleaning and drying
May 18, 2010

7. Green Solvents and Ionic Liquids
Primary Project
To develop a revolutionary change in the cleaning of fabrics by
combining dry cleaning concepts and water-based laundry systems into
a green and sustainable laundry system for institutional, industrial,
commercial, and consumer laundry operations (without using water)
This is a Disruptive Technology !
May 18, 2010

8. Green Solvents and Ionic Liquids
Laundry Cleaning Today
Follows the Energy Star program by minimizing:
• Water usages
• Energy consumption
• Chemical usage
• Overall costs
But, we still dump billions of gallons of water down the drain every
day (containing more detergent than contamination ) !
Is this a Sustainable Process ?
May 18, 2010

9. Green Solvents and Ionic Liquids
Is water, the Next Oil ?
• 3% of the Earth has drinkable water
• 1% of the 3% is accessible (rest is tied up in glaciers)
• 20% of the 1% is found in the Great Lakes Region (USA)
Ethical Challenge: We need to minimize our use of drinking water for
non-essential applications (i.e., laundry, dishwasher, toilets, watering
lawns, washing cars, etc). Our waste water streams are running on
maximum.
May 18, 2010

10. Green Solvents and Ionic Liquids
Laundry Cleaning Tomorrow
Moving towards Waterless (Dry) Cleaning
• Cold water cleaning w/minimal water and energy
• Cleaning w/ozone (O3 injected water reduces heat), 2003
• Self cleaning laundry (coating repels water and dirt), 2004
• Cleaning w/polymer beads (90% water reduction), 2009
• Cleaning w/green solvents and ionic liquids (no free water), 2011
Equipment patents exist already for consumer solvent cleaning!
May 18, 2010

11. Green Solvents and Ionic Liquids
Current Vision for Laundry Cleaning
• Target: Institutional markets now (hotels, hospitals, nursing homes,
schools, military, prisons, etc.)
• Support from Customer Relationships (detergent manu)
• Form Strategic Alliances with “green” solvent manu
• Form Partnerships with equipment manufacturers
• (Anticipated) Cleaning Solvent Composition
– Green Solvent > 90%
– Water < 5%
– Ionic liquid co-solvent(s) < 1%
– Other additives (brighteners, fragrances, surfactants) < 4%
May 18, 2010

12. Green Solvents and Ionic Liquids
Current Vision for Laundry Cleaning
• “Green” solvent + detergent package (ILs) will clean ~20-40 loads of
laundry (based on density limits) with rinsing
• Cleaning solvent would be filtered/recovered; waste residue sent for
disposal (after accumulation)
• Rinse solvent becomes cleaning solvent
• Add fresh (or recycled) solvent to rinse tank
May 18, 2010

13. Green Solvents and Ionic Liquids
Current Vision for Laundry Cleaning
(Institutional model) 2 -add detergent, Fresh/
3 recycled
then clothes
solvent
1
5 +
spin
4 dryer
B
Cleaning Rinse
A Solvent Solvent C
Distillate
After x washings
Distillation Waste Recycled May 18, 2010
solvent

14. Green Solvents and Ionic Liquids
Actual Cost Comparisons at Local Marriott
Water-based system (special thanks to Diversey, Inc)
Current System Cost Usage Cost/Month
Water Cost: $ 0.00075 147,000 $110.25
$/Liter L/Month
Energy Cost: $ 0.15 3200 $480.00
(natural gas) $/M3 M3/Month
Chemical Cost: - - $ 500.00
Total Cost $1,090.25
(multiple machines) Water usage Load Processed/month
10:1 ratio 147,000 14,700 $ 0.07417
L/Month Kg Cost/Kg
Laundry
525 52.5 280.00
L/load Kg/load Loads/month
May 18, 2010

15. Green Solvents and Ionic Liquids
Theoretical Cost Comparisons at Local Marriott
Solvent density assumed 1.0
Solvent System Usage Solvent Solvent
$ 1.00/lb Kg/1st load Assumptions Kg/month Cost/1st Month
Solvent usage 525 147,000 $ 323,564.20
per load No solvent recovery
(100% solvent loss)
Solvent usage 525 99% solvent recovery 147.00 $ 323.56 plus Energy (E) to run still
per load or 0.525Kg loss Solvent recovery is based on drag out by the
for every load of laundry laundry load wt which is 99% per load
Solvent usage 525 81.8% solvent recovery 133.84 $ 294.60 plus E/20 to run still
X
per 20 loads or 9.56Kg loss Solvent recovery after 20 loads is 99 %
for every 20 loads of laundry where x= 20 or 81.8% of the laundry load
Solvent usage 525 66.9% solvent recovery 121.66 $ 267.79 plus E/40 to run still
X
per 40 loads or 17.38Kg loss Solvent recovery after 40 loads is 99 %
for every 40 loads of laundry where x= 40 or 66.9% of the laundry load
Solvent loss based on 1% of laundry weight
With solvent recovery, you begin next month with a full solvent charge
Initial charge cost: $ 1,155.59
May 18, 2010

16. Green Solvents and Ionic Liquids
Theoretical Cost Comparisons at Local Marriott
Proposed Solvent System Cost Usage Cost/Month
Solvent Cost: 2.20 133.84 $ 294.60
(used) $/Liter L/Month per 20 loads
Energy Cost: $ 0.15 800 $120.00
(no drying) $/M3 M3/Month assumed 25%
Chemical Cost: assumed same $ 500.00
Initial Solvent Cost 1st month $1,155.59
vs
Total Monthly Cost 2nd month $ 914.60 $1,090.25
(for water)
May 18, 2010

17. Green Solvents and Ionic Liquids
Solvent Cleaning Benefits (1)
• Energy Efficient – Energy to heat solvent < water; spin drying of
solvent>water; IL repels the solvent; no dryer expected!
• Water Efficient – no water is used; solvent will clean 20-40 loads
depending on contamination and density
• Cleaning Efficiency – recycling solvent means less added chemicals;
fabrics will look/smell as if cleaned using water
• Environmentally safer – solvents are low/non-VOCs, non-hazardous,
biodegradable, non-toxic
May 18, 2010

18. Green Solvents and Ionic Liquids
Solvent Cleaning Benefits (2)
• Softening and Cleaning – ILs add softening, anti-static, cleaning,
anti-bacterial(?), fragrance retention properties
• Recyclability – solvent used 20-40 times with clean rinses
• Reclaimability – used solvents are recovered for future use
• Equal/Better Overall Cleaning Performance – contaminants are
(1) filtered off and (2) part of distillation residues
• Closed-Loop Process
May 18, 2010

19. Green Solvents and Ionic Liquids
Waterless Cleaning must
• Work with Potential Customers in institutional laundry
• Form a Strategic Alliance with key solvent manufacturers
• Form Partnerships with laundry equipment manufacturers
• Find Investors (angels, venture capitalists, banks, SBIR grants)
• Hire key personnel
May 18, 2010

20. Green Solvents and Ionic Liquids
Acknowledgements
Whirlpool Ecolab
Rhodia Dow Chemical
(Johnson) Diversey Invista
May 18, 2010