Alkaline Peroxycarboxylic Acid Generation for Textile Bleaching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional peroxycarboxylic acid compositions face issues such as strong odor, instability in solution, and the need for special shipping conditions due to limited stability, along with inefficiencies in bleach activator systems that reduce reaction rates and pH balance, necessitating a method for generating percarboxylic acids on-site at alkaline pH for effective bleaching and antimicrobial applications.
Innovation Solution
A method for generating mixed percarboxylic acids on-site through a non-equilibrium reaction using a mixture of esters from polyhydric alcohols and C1 to C18 carboxylic acids, a source of alkalinity, and an oxidizing agent at a pH greater than 12, allowing for higher concentrations of peroxycarboxylic acid and lower unreacted reagents, which can be combined with surfactants for enhanced efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If peroxycarboxylic acids are generated through acid catalyzed equilibrium reaction and shipped to customers, then the composition can be used for bleaching and antimicrobial applications, but the composition has limited storage stability and requires special shipping conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the peroxycarboxylic acid composition into separate functional components: a peracid source (hydrogen peroxide), a bleach activator, and an acidifying agent. These components are provided in separate compartments or sections of the cleaning composition, preventing premature reaction while allowing each component to be stable during storage and transport. The peracid is generated in situ when the components come into contact during application.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If peroxycarboxylic acids are stabilized with excess hydrogen peroxide and stabilizers, then the shelf life is improved, but excess amounts of reagents are present in the compositions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates an acidifying agent that releases acid in a controlled manner to trigger peracid formation at the appropriate time. This preliminary preparation of components allows the composition to remain stable during storage while ensuring that the peracid is generated in situ when needed, avoiding the need for excess stabilizers and extending shelf life without accumulating unwanted reagents.
3Ease of operation
If bleach activators are used in dilute wash bath, then the washing solution can be applied, but the rate and extent of reaction are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the local concentration parameters by providing the peracid source, bleach activator, and acidifying agent in close proximity within the cleaning composition. This creates a localized high-concentration zone where the peracid is generated in situ, maintaining high reaction rates even when the overall washing solution is dilute. The controlled release mechanism ensures adequate concentration at the reaction site.
4Productivity
If bleach activators operate at highly alkaline pH, then rapid perhydrolysis is promoted, but peracid formation is less effective at optimal pH
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic pH control mechanism using an acidifying agent that releases acid in response to specific conditions (such as contact with water or activation by a trigger). This allows the composition to maintain highly alkaline pH during storage for rapid perhydrolysis, then dynamically shift to optimal pH for peracid effectiveness at the point of application, achieving both high reaction rate and effective peracid formation.
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 method produces peroxycarboxylic acids with higher concentrations and reduced residues, eliminating the need for hazardous shipping and enabling synergistic bleaching and antimicrobial effects, while avoiding the limitations of equilibrium systems.
Implementation Method 1
providing a reaction mixture comprising: (i) a mixture of esters formed from a polyhydric alcohol and different C1 to C18 carboxylic acids; (ii) a source of alkalinity; and (iii) an oxidizing agent
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present disclosure provides methods for generating percarboxylic acid compositions and/or peroxycarboxylic acid compositions formed external to a point of use in non-equilibrium reactions for use in certain bleaching and antimicrobial applications, in particular laundry applications. The compositions are generated external to a point of use, at alkaline pH levels, viz. greater than about pH 12, and optionally suitable for use with detergents and/or surfactants for synergistic bleaching efficacy. Methods of bleaching and/or disinfecting are further provided.