Alkaline Cleaning Composition Buffering System for Burnt-on Soil Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hard surface cleaning compositions are ineffective in removing burnt-on and baked-on soils or grease, often leaving residues and requiring laborious scrubbing, and they often use environmentally unacceptable inorganic phosphate builder salts.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning composition with a buffering system comprising a strong base and organic acid, alkanolamine, zwitterionic or non-ionic surfactants, and organic solvents, maintaining a pH of 9 to 13, which enhances cleaning performance and reduces residue while being environmentally friendly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cleaning compositions are used, then general soil removal is achieved, but burnt-on and baked-on soils or grease cannot be effectively removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the cleaning composition by incorporating a buffering system with specific pH range (9-13), strong base (0.1-5% NaOH), and organic acid (0.5-5% citric acid) to create an alkaline environment that effectively breaks down burnt-on and baked-on soils and grease, which conventional neutral or mildly alkaline compositions cannot remove
2Reliability
If inorganic phosphate builder salts are used, then cleaning performance is improved, but environmental acceptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes inorganic phosphate builder salts from the composition entirely, replacing them with an organic acid-based buffering system using citric acid and strong base, which provides equivalent or superior cleaning performance without the environmental harm associated with phosphate pollution and eutrophication
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by substituting inorganic phosphates with organic acid-base buffering systems, maintaining the necessary pH control and cleaning effectiveness while eliminating the harmful environmental effects of phosphate discharge
3Reliability
If detergent surfactants and solvents are used, then soil and grease removal is achieved, but films, spots or streaks are left on surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite formulation combining multiple surfactant types (anionic, nonionic, and zwitterionic), organic solvents, buffering agents, and optional abrasives in specific proportions to achieve synergistic cleaning action that removes soils effectively while minimizing residue formation through the balanced composition
4Object-generated harmful factors
If thorough scrubbing, wiping and rinsing are performed, then residue is removed, but time and physical labor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning composition is formulated to be self-rinsing and self-drying, where the alkaline buffering system and surfactant combination automatically breaks down and removes residues without requiring additional manual scrubbing or extensive rinsing, allowing the cleaned surface to dry cleanly on its own
Data Source
AI summary
Alkaline cleaning compositions that are useful to remove burnt-on and/or baked-on soil deposits and grease are described. The alkaline cleaning compositions comprise a buffering system of a strong base and an organic acid such that the pH is maintained in the range of about 10 to about 11.2. Also described are methods of removing burnt-on or baked on soil deposits or grease.