Acidic Hard-Surface Cleaner Composition for Vegetal Decontamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning agent compositions struggle to effectively remove vegetal contamination and decontaminate surfaces without posing health or environmental hazards, particularly due to the use of strong acids and fluorosurfactants, which are toxic and environmentally incompatible.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning agent composition comprising 20-60 wt.% aliphatic carboxylic acid, preferably formic acid, combined with anionic and nonionic surfactants, is used to remove vegetal contamination and decontaminate surfaces, avoiding highly water-polluting ingredients and ensuring biodegradability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If strong acids (e.g., hydrochloric acid) are used in cleaning agent compositions, then hard water stains are effectively removed, but skin irritation and toxicological hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters by replacing strong inorganic acids with organic carboxylic acids (acetic, propionic, butyric acid) having specific pH ranges (1-4). This parameter substitution maintains the acidic cleaning capability needed for stain removal while reducing the harmful effects associated with strong acids like hydrochloric acid.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs biodegradable organic carboxylic acids that decompose naturally in the environment, replacing persistent strong acids. These organic acids serve their cleaning function and then break down into harmless substances, eliminating long-term environmental and health hazards.
2Productivity
If fluorosurfactants are used in cleaning agent compositions, then cleaning performance is improved, but environmental compatibility deteriorates due to toxicity and persistence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces persistent fluorosurfactants with biodegradable non-ionic surfactants based on alkyl polyglucosides or alkyl ethoxylates. These surfactants perform the cleaning function effectively but decompose naturally in the environment, eliminating the toxicity and persistence issues of fluorosurfactants.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by substituting fluorinated compounds with carbon-based surfactant molecules having specific HLB values. This parameter change maintains surfactant functionality while improving biodegradability and environmental compatibility.
3Productivity
If halogen-containing formulations are used to remove starch-based shading paints, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but environmental compatibility deteriorates due to toxicity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of strong acids into a beneficial one by using organic carboxylic acids that provide sufficient acidity for starch removal while being environmentally safe. The acidic property needed for cleaning is achieved through natural organic acids rather than toxic halogenated compounds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs biodegradable organic acids that can safely decompose starch-based paints without requiring toxic halogen-containing substances. These organic acids complete their cleaning function and then break down harmlessly, eliminating the toxicity associated with conventional approaches.
4Ease of operation
If manual removal with brush and heated water is used, then simplicity is maintained, but cleaning efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple cleaning mechanisms into a single formulation: the organic carboxylic acids provide acidic cleaning action, the non-ionic surfactants provide wetting and emulsification, and the combination creates a foam that enhances contact with contaminants. This unified approach maintains ease of application while dramatically improving cleaning efficiency compared to manual brushing alone.
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 composition achieves high removal rates of vegetal contamination and pesticide residues on hard surfaces within minutes at room temperature, with improved safety and environmental compatibility compared to conventional cleaners.
Implementation Method 1
The cleaning agent composition comprises 20-60 wt.% aliphatic carboxylic acid, preferably formic acid... for removal of plant contaminants and/or for the decontamination of surfaces
Implementation Method 2
combined with anionic and nonionic surfactants... The surfactant or surfactants are preferably anionic surfactants or a mixture of two or more anionic surfactants and/or nonionic surfactants
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to the use of a carboxylic-acid-containing cleaning agent for removing stains of vegetable origin and/or for decontaminating surfaces contaminated by plant-protection agents. The agent comprises 20-60 wt. % of an aliphatic C1-C10 carboxylic acid, preferably formic acid, or a mixture of two or more of such aliphatic carboxylic acids which preferably comprises formic acid, at least one surfactant, preferably an anionic surfactant and/or at least one non-ionic surfactant, and water and/or solvent as the remainder. In another aspect, the present invention relates to specific carboxylic-acid-containing cleaning agents for hard surfaces, which agents are particularly suitable for the intended use.