Bleach-Free Cleaning Composition Using Alkaline Builders and Surfactants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cleaning compositions for hard surfaces, particularly toilet bowls, often rely on harsh chemicals like bleach, which can damage surfaces and fail to provide adequate hygiene due to high bacterial loads, especially in developing countries, where proxy products are commonly used and lack effective surfactants and antibacterial agents.
Innovation Solution
An aqueous bleach-free cleaning composition comprising a surfactant system with linear alkyl benzene sulphonate and alkoxylated sulfate, a non-phosphate alkaline builder, and electrolytes, maintaining a pH of 11 to 14, and having a viscosity of 250 to 2500 cP, which provides a 2-log reduction in viable bacterial count without phase separation, ensuring sustainability and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bleach-based compositions are used for cleaning toilet bowls, then staining is removed effectively, but surface damage occurs and harsh chemicals are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes bleach and acidic components from the cleaning composition, extracting the harmful elements while retaining cleaning functionality through alternative mechanisms (surfactants and alkaline builders)
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the cleaning composition by using high pH (11-14) alkaline builders instead of bleach, and controls viscosity (250-2500 cP) to enhance cleaning performance without harsh chemicals
2Reliability
If acidic cleaners are used for cleaning hard surfaces, then lime scale deposits are removed effectively, but the composition becomes harsh and potentially damaging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by using alkaline (high pH) chemistry instead of acidic chemistry to achieve lime scale removal, combined with surfactants to enhance the cleaning mechanism without harsh acids
3Ease of manufacture
If proxy products like detergent powders are used for toilet cleaning, then cost is reduced, but cleaning effectiveness and hygiene are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite cleaning system combining surfactants (linear alkyl benzene sulphonate and alkoxylated sulfate) with alkaline builders and electrolytes, achieving effective toilet cleaning at lower cost compared to bleach-based products
4Reliability
If conventional surfactant systems are used in cleaning compositions, then cleaning performance is improved, but phase separation occurs and stability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the ratio parameters of surfactants (1:1 to 1:6.5) and controls viscosity (250-2500 cP) to prevent phase separation while maintaining cleaning performance, achieving both stability and effectiveness
5Reliability
If bleach components are included in cleaning compositions, then antibacterial effectiveness is improved, but environmental friendliness and safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts bleach components from the formulation, achieving antibacterial effectiveness (2-log reduction) through alternative mechanisms involving surfactants and high pH alkaline builders, eliminating environmental harm
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses biodegradable surfactants and conventional alkaline builders that are environmentally friendly and safe, replacing persistent harmful chemicals with safer alternatives
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an aqueous bleach-free cleaning composition comprising: (i) 1.5 to 5 % by weight surfactant system containing a. a first surfactant which is a linear alkyl benzene sulphonate; and b. a second surfactant which is an alkoxylated sulphate or a mixture of alkoxylated sulphate and up to 0.4 % by weight of non-ionic surfactant, the non-ionic surfactant having a HLB of 10 to 15; (ii) a non-phosphate alkaline builder in an amount sufficient to provide pH of 11 to 14 to said composition; and, (iii) 2 to 5 % by weight electrolyte which is a salt of a strong acid and a strong base, wherein ratio of amount of said first surfactant to that of said second surfactant is 1:1 to 1:6.5 parts by weight, wherein the second surfactant keeps the first surfactant in micellar phase, and where viscosity of said composition is 250 to 2500 cP at 20 s-1 (0.25 Pa.s to 2.5 Pa.s) at 20°C.