Alcohol Ethoxysulfate Detergent Composition With Low 1,4-Dioxane
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Aqueous laundry detergent compositions containing alkyl ethoxy sulfate anionic surfactants face challenges in controlling 1,4 dioxane formation during the sulfation process and at elevated temperatures, making it difficult to meet stringent regulatory requirements without costly and time-consuming stripping processes.
Innovation Solution
An aqueous laundry detergent composition comprising a blend of nonionic and anionic surfactants, specifically an alcohol ethoxysulfate surfactant of formula I with controlled carbon chain lengths and cation balancing, which minimizes 1,4 dioxane formation during sulfation and at elevated temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional alcohol ethoxysulfate surfactants are used in laundry detergent, then cleaning performance is achieved, but 1,4 dioxane formation occurs during sulfation and at elevated temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular structure parameters of the surfactant by specifying precise constraints: n=1 in 95-100 mol% of the alcohol ethoxysulfate, sum of carbon atoms in R1 and R2 is 7-17, and specific alkyl group compositions. These parameter changes result in a surfactant that maintains cleaning effectiveness while preventing 1,4 dioxane formation during sulfation and at elevated temperatures up to 280°C.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent eliminates the need for expensive and time-consuming stripping processes by incorporating surfactant structure modifications that inherently prevent 1,4 dioxane formation. Instead of using stripping techniques to remove harmful contaminants after they form, the invention uses structurally optimized surfactants that never generate the harmful substance in the first place.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If stripping processes are used to remove 1,4 dioxane, then regulatory compliance is approached, but the process is expensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by modifying the surfactant molecular structure before the sulfation process and throughout product handling. The specific structural constraints (n=1 in 95-100 mol%, specific carbon chain lengths) are built into the surfactant synthesis to prevent 1,4 dioxane formation from the outset, eliminating the need for subsequent stripping processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of 1,4 dioxane formation into a benefit by using the sulfation process conditions to selectively form the desired alcohol ethoxysulfate surfactant while preventing dioxane generation. The controlled sulfation of specifically structured alcohol ethoxylates produces the harmful-free surfactant product directly.
3Ease of operation
If conventional AES surfactants are handled and processed at elevated temperatures, then processing flexibility is maintained, but 1,4 dioxane decomposes the surfactant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal stability parameter of the surfactant by controlling the molecular structure parameters: n=1 in 95-100 mol% of alcohol ethoxysulfate and specific carbon chain lengths (sum of R1 and R2 is 7-17). This structural optimization enables the surfactant to withstand elevated temperatures up to 280°C during processing and storage without decomposing or forming 1,4 dioxane.
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 maintains low 1,4 dioxane levels (<9 ppm) and provides comparable cleaning and antiredeposition performance, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and effective laundry detergency.
Implementation Method 1
A first point of 1,4 dioxane generation in conventional AES surfactants is believed to occur during the sulfation process of alcohol ethoxylates to make alcohol ethoxy sulfates
Implementation Method 2
The alcohol ethoxylate intermediates for the production of conventional alcohol ethoxy sulfate surfactants are made via ethoxylation (i.e., the reaction of an alcohol with ethylene oxide)
Implementation Method 3
a cleaning surfactant; wherein the cleaning surfactant comprises a blend of a nonionic surfactant and an anionic surfactant
Data Source
AI summary
An aqueous laundry detergent composition is provided including: water; a cleaning surfactant; wherein the cleaning surfactant comprises a blend of a nonionic surfactant and an anionic surfactant; wherein the anionic surfactant comprises an alcohol ethoxysulfate surfactant of formula I wherein each R1 and R2 is independently a C1-16 alkyl group; wherein the sum of the carbon atoms in R1 and R2 is 7 to 17; wherein M+ is a cation balancing the negative charge of the —SO3-anion of formula I; and wherein n is 1 in 95 to 100 mol % of the alcohol ethoxysulfate surfactant of formula I.