Acidic Cleaning Composition for Metal Stain Decolorization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing acidic compositions for removing metal stains and limescale are limited by their corrosive nature, environmental concerns, and the need for phosphoric acid, which is costly and environmentally unfavourable, and they often require liquid form, increasing transportation and storage costs.

Innovation Solution

A phosphate-free acidic composition combining an organic or inorganic acid with a reducing agent, such as catechol, formulated in both liquid and solid forms to effectively remove metal stains and limescale without damaging sensitive surfaces, while being biodegradable and cost-effective.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If phosphoric acid is used in acidic compositions, then scale removal performance is improved, but environmental impact worsens and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescale removal performanceVSAvoidenvironmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes phosphoric acid with alternative acid systems (such as sulfamic acid, hydrochloric acid, or organic acids) that achieve comparable scale removal performance without the environmental drawbacks of phosphoric acid, thereby changing the chemical parameters of the cleaning composition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs biodegradable organic acids or environmentally acceptable inorganic acids that break down naturally, replacing persistent phosphoric acid with shorter-lived, eco-friendly alternatives that maintain effectiveness while reducing environmental accumulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If acidic compositions are used for cleaning hard surfaces, then limescale removal is improved, but surface damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelimescale removalVSAvoidsurface damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent formulates the acidic composition with controlled pH levels and buffering agents to create localized acid action that dissolves limescale deposits while the formulation itself protects sensitive surface areas from excessive acid exposure, achieving selective cleaning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces chelating agents and surfactants as intermediary substances that facilitate the removal of limescale by binding to calcium and magnesium ions, allowing acid to work more gently and reducing direct corrosive attack on metal surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If liquid compositions are used, then ease of application is improved, but transportation cost and storage space increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of applicationVSAvoidtransportation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent develops solid-phase acidic cleaning compositions (such as tablets, pellets, or powders) that can be easily stored and transported, which then dissolve in water during use to form the effective liquid cleaning solution, thus transitioning from solid storage to liquid application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

4Quantity of substance

If solid products are used, then transportation cost and storage efficiency are improved, but ease of use worsens due to dissolution requirement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransportation costVSAvoidease of use

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs solid cleaning compositions that automatically dissolve in water during the normal cleaning process, requiring no manual preparation or complex dissolution steps by the user, thus making the solid form as convenient as liquid

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 effectively decolorizes and removes metal stains and limescale from various surfaces with a pH between 3 and 4, providing excellent scale removal performance and a safe surface profile, reducing the need for phosphoric acid and minimizing environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

acidic compositions with specific reducing agents for treatment and removal of metal staining

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReduction: Reduction

Implementation Method 2

acidic compositions that dissolve scale composed of calcium and magnesium carbonate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcid dissolution: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP2855372B1Acidic compositions including reducing agents for elimination of hard water scale and decolorization of metal stains

Publication Date: 2024.01.03 ECOLAB USA INC

Figure 1

AI summary

An acidic destaining composition for removing hard water and metal stains is disclosed. The composition comprises an acid in combination with a reducing agent and may preferably be formulated as a solid.