Alkaline Cleaner Mist Reduction via Elongational Viscosity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aqueous alkaline cleaners used for removing stubborn soils from surfaces often generate airborne mist during application, causing respiratory distress and reducing cleaning efficiency due to the presence of finely divided aerosols containing strong alkaline components.

Innovation Solution

A non-Newtonian composition with an anti-mist component, such as polyethylene oxide or anionic copolymer comprised of acrylamide and AMPS, is used to reduce aerosol misting, incorporating a source of alkalinity and surfactants, which maintains high viscosity upon contact with surfaces to prevent mist formation and enhance cleaning efficacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If aqueous alkaline cleaners are sprayed onto surfaces, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but airborne mist generation increases causing respiratory distress

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidrespiratory distress from aerosol mist

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the cleaning composition by incorporating viscosity modifiers (hydrocolloids, polymers, or waxes) to achieve a specific viscosity range (50-5000 cP). This parameter modification allows the composition to spray effectively while reducing aerosol mist generation, thereby maintaining cleaning effectiveness while improving respiratory safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite cleaning composition by combining traditional alkaline cleaning agents with viscosity-modifying agents (such as xanthan gum, carboxymethyl cellulose, polyacrylamide, or microcrystalline wax). This composite formulation maintains the cleaning power of alkaline components while the viscosity modifiers suppress mist formation, resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and respiratory safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If strong alkaline components are used in cleaners, then cleaning activity is improved, but choking response and respiratory damage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning activityVSAvoidchoking response and respiratory damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The viscosity-modifying components act as intermediary substances that modify the behavior of strong alkaline cleaning agents. These intermediaries (hydrocolloids, polymers, waxes) allow the alkaline components to remain effective for cleaning while preventing them from forming fine aerosol particles that cause choking and respiratory damage, thus mediating between cleaning power and safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If reduced quantities of alkaline cleaning components are used, then respiratory safety is improved, but cleaning effectiveness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverespiratory safetyVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the cleaning composition by adjusting viscosity through added modifiers, enabling the use of reduced alkaline component concentrations while maintaining effective cleaning. The modified viscosity ensures proper spray characteristics and surface adhesion, compensating for the reduced alkaline content and preserving cleaning effectiveness while improving respiratory safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively reduces inhalation of the cleaning solution, increases median droplet size, and maintains cleaning effectiveness by minimizing misting while ensuring the cleaning components remain on the surface, thereby improving respiratory safety and cleaning efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the sprayable composition includes an anti-mist component... which increases the median particle size of the sprayable composition when the sprayable composition is sprayed... Non-Newtonian composition has a viscosity of less than about 40 centipoise

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElongational viscosity: Viscometer

Implementation Method 2

a non-Newtonian composition with an anti-mist component... incorporating a source of alkalinity and surfactants, which maintains high viscosity upon contact with surfaces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentUS9206381B2Reduced misting alkaline cleaners using elongational viscosity modifiers

Publication Date: 2015.12.08 ECOLAB USA INC

AI summary

Alkaline spray-on cleaners that can be delivered by pump or pressurized gas aerosol spray have been made with reduced choking mists are disclosed. The cleaning composition comprises the use of anti-mist components consisting of large anionic copolymer comprised of acrylamide and AMPS (acrylamide-sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonate), and polyethylene oxide polymers that create non-Newtonian solutions. The composition also includes a surfactant, and a source of alkalinity.