Citric Malic Tartaric Acid Mixture for Rapid Limescale Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing descaling agents, particularly those based on citric acid, are not effective enough for severe calcification, requiring multiple treatments and lacking in simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and non-irritation properties.
Innovation Solution
A mixture comprising at least 25% citric acid and 0.1-75% additive mixture of malic acid and tartaric acid, with a preferred weight ratio of 1:6 to 6:1, along with a buffering agent, which enhances descaling performance and includes optional additives for improved compatibility and solubility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If pure citric acid is used for descaling, then the composition is simple and inexpensive, but the descaling performance is insufficient for severe calcification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines citric acid with malic acid and tartaric acid in specific proportions to create a synergistic mixture. This merging of multiple organic acids resolves the contradiction by achieving superior descaling performance through their combined action while maintaining relative compositional simplicity with clearly defined ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite descaling agent consisting of multiple organic acids (citric acid 25-90%, malic acid 5-40%, tartaric acid 5-40%) that work together synergistically. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by leveraging the complementary properties of each acid to achieve high descaling performance while keeping the overall composition manageable.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple treatments with citric acid are applied to severe calcification, then the descaling performance improves, but the time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent formulates a pre-mixed combination of organic acids in optimal proportions that delivers enhanced descaling action from the first application. This preliminary preparation of the synergistic mixture resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for repeated treatments, achieving severe calcification removal in a single application and thus reducing treatment time.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by introducing malic acid and tartaric acid alongside citric acid, creating a new compositional profile with enhanced reactivity toward calcium carbonate. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by enabling faster, more effective descaling in one treatment rather than requiring multiple slower treatments.
3Quantity of substance
If stronger acids are used to improve descaling performance, then the decalcifying effect increases, but the irritation and harmful effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH and chemical composition parameters by using a blend of weak organic acids instead of strong inorganic acids. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by maintaining effective descaling performance through synergistic action of multiple mild acids, thereby reducing irritation and harmful effects compared to using stronger single acids.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses naturally occurring, biodegradable organic acids (citric, malic, and tartaric acids) that are milder on surfaces and skin compared to strong industrial acids. This choice of milder, environmentally friendly substances resolves the contradiction by providing sufficient descaling power while minimizing harmful effects and irritation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The mixture achieves rapid and effective lime scale removal in a single treatment, outperforming pure citric acid and known rapid decalcifiers, with a synergistic effect that ensures efficient descaling of surfaces without excessive irritation or cost, suitable for various applications including coffee machines and washing machines.
Implementation Method 1
the mixture according to the invention has a synergistic effect in comparison with the use of pure citric acid on the one hand and malic acid or tartaric acid on the other with regard to the particular descaling performance. Thus, with the mixture according to the invention, decalcifying performance is already achieved after a single cleaning
Data Source
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AI summary
Mixture comprises at least 25 wt.% of citric acid, and 0.1-75 wt.% of an addition mixture comprising malic acid and tartaric acid. An independent claim is included for a liquid composition comprising the mixture and at least a solvent.