Phosphorus-Free Acid Warewashing Formulations for Soil and Scale Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current detergent compositions for warewashing rely heavily on phosphorus-containing compounds, which are subject to environmental and health regulations, and struggle to effectively remove difficult soils like protein, starchy, or sugary soils, especially in institutional settings.
Innovation Solution
Development of phosphorus-free acid compositions using selected acids such as urea sulfate, citric acid, and sulfamic acid, combined with chelating agents and surfactants, for use in an alternating alkali/acid system to enhance cleaning performance and scale control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If phosphorus-containing compounds are used in detergent compositions, then cleaning performance and scale control are improved, but environmental impact increases and regulatory concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes phosphorus-containing compounds with phosphorus-free acid compounds, changing the chemical composition parameters while maintaining the desired cleaning performance and scale control functions through alternative chemical mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The invention removes phosphorus-containing compounds from the detergent composition entirely, extracting the harmful element while replacing it with environmentally friendly acid compounds that provide equivalent or superior performance
2Object-affected harmful factors
If phosphorus-free acid compositions are used, then environmental impact is reduced, but cleaning performance and scale control may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration and selection of phosphorus-free acid compounds to achieve the desired cleaning performance and scale control without phosphorus, adjusting chemical parameters to match or exceed the effectiveness of traditional phosphorus-based formulations
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines multiple phosphorus-free acid compounds with chelating agents and surfactants to create a composite detergent composition that achieves synergistic effects, improving overall cleaning performance while maintaining environmental benefits
3Reliability
If traditional phosphorus-containing detergents are used, then difficult soils like protein and starchy soils are removed effectively, but the compositions are subject to government regulations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition from phosphorus-containing to phosphorus-free acid compounds, altering the formulation parameters to achieve both effective soil removal and compliance with current and future government regulations
Solution Approach 2:
The invention removes phosphorus-containing compounds that are subject to regulation, extracting the regulated element while maintaining cleaning effectiveness through alternative phosphorus-free chemical mechanisms
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 phosphorus-free acid compositions improve cleaning performance and scale control, achieving results similar to phosphoric acid while reducing environmental impact and regulatory concerns, effectively removing a wide range of soils in warewashing applications.
Implementation Method 1
the acidic composition has a pH of from 0 to 6, from 0 to 3, or from 0 to 2
Implementation Method 2
NTA, EDTA or polyphosphates such as sodium tripolyphosphate and their salts are used in detergents because of their ability to solubilize preexisting inorganic salts and/or soils
Implementation Method 3
fatty soils, and the like, where the soil may be burnt or baked on or otherwise thermally degraded
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of acidic warewashing are disclosed. The compositions can include other materials including surfactants and chelating agents, and are preferably phosphorous free. Methods of using the acidic compositions in combination with alkaline compositions are also disclosed. Exemplary methods include using the acidic compositions together with other compositions, including alkaline compositions and rinse aids employed in an alternating alkaline/acid/alkaline manner. The methods also include acidic compositions that serve multiple roles.