Acidic Surfactant Blend for Low-Foam CIP Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Alkaline cleaning compositions used in 'cleaning in place' (CIP) processes absorb carbon dioxide rapidly, leading to underpressure and potential implosion in systems, and existing solutions are high in foaming, which affects cleaning efficacy and requires time-consuming CO2 removal.
Innovation Solution
A CIP method using a concentrate comprising alkyl glycosides, nonionic alkylene oxide adducts, and an acid with a pH value of less than 2.0, which when diluted, has a pH of less than 6.5, providing a low-foaming solution effective for cleaning in carbon dioxide environments without requiring CO2 replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If alkaline cleaning compositions are used for cleaning in place processes, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but carbon dioxide absorption causes underpressure and potential implosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter from alkaline to acidic (pH < 2.0) to eliminate the harmful effect of carbon dioxide absorption while maintaining cleaning effectiveness through the synergistic combination of acidic protease and surfactants
2Object-generated harmful factors
If foam depressors are added to control foaming, then foam reduction is achieved, but cleaning result is detrimentally affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter to acidic conditions and selects specific surfactant types (nonionic and anionic surfactants with particular HLB values) to achieve low foaming inherently without adding foam depressors, thereby maintaining cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite surfactant system combining nonionic surfactants (HLB 8-16) and anionic surfactants (HLB 10-20) with acidic protease to achieve both low foaming and effective cleaning without foam depressors
3Object-affected harmful factors
If CO2 removal is performed before cleaning, then implosion risk is eliminated, but cleaning time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter to acidic conditions, which prevents carbon dioxide absorption in the first place, thereby eliminating the need for CO2 removal steps and reducing total cleaning time while maintaining safety
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 solution ensures effective and fast cleaning with minimal foam, allowing for secure cleaning of objects and equipment without pre-replacing CO2, and maintains beer foam stability, facilitating efficient rinsing and maintaining cleaning performance.
Implementation Method 1
If industrial systems have to be cleaned containing carbon dioxide the alkaline cleaning compositions tend to absorb the carbon dioxide very rapidly causing an underpressure in the closed system
Implementation Method 2
a) an alkyl glycoside having the general formula I... b) a nonionic alkylene oxide adduct
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention refers to a concentrate for use in a cleaning and/or washing process comprising c) an alkyl glycoside having the general formula (I) R1OGn; whereby G is a saccharide residue and n is 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 and R1 is an alkyl group or alkylene group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and d) a nonionic alkylene oxide adduct, wherein the concentrate has a pH value of less than 6,5, as well as to a solution obtained by diluting the concentrate and to a process of cleaning objects using the concentrate and/or solution.