Alkyl 3-hydroxybutyrate Cleaning Solvent Synthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for obtaining alkyl hydroxybutyrates, used as effective and environmentally benign cleaning solvents, are expensive, time-consuming, and difficult to scale up due to extraction from polyhydroxybutyrate from plant materials or biomass.
Innovation Solution
An aqueous cleaning composition comprising alkyl 3-hydroxybutyrate, butyl alkanoate, alkyl acetate, and other components, with the alkyl 3-hydroxybutyrate present in significant weight percentages, and optionally including additional components like alkyl alcohols and dimers/trimers, generated through hydrogenation of alkyl acetoacetate, forming a solvent effective for cleaning various surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If alkyl hydroxybutyrates are obtained by extraction from polyhydroxybutyrate in plant materials or biomass, then the cleaning solvent is environmentally benign and non-toxic, but the production is expensive, time-consuming, and difficult to scale up
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the production method from extraction-based to synthesis-based, specifically using chemical synthesis routes (such as esterification of 3-hydroxybutyric acid with alcohols) that can be scaled up industrially while maintaining the environmental benefits of the final product
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts only the essential functional component (the alkyl hydroxybutyrate molecule structure) from the complex natural extraction process, achieving the same environmental benefit through synthetic production that allows for scalable manufacturing
2Reliability
If extraction methods are used to obtain alkyl hydroxybutyrates, then the product maintains its cleaning effectiveness, but the process is expensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary chemical synthesis to produce pure alkyl hydroxybutyrate in advance, avoiding the time-consuming extraction and purification steps required by natural methods, thereby reducing both production time and cost while maintaining product effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical/biological extraction process with a chemical synthesis process, which is more efficient, controllable, and scalable, thereby reducing production time and cost while ensuring consistent product quality and cleaning effectiveness
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 provides a cost-effective and scalable solution for creating a highly effective, environmentally benign cleaning solvent capable of removing undesired materials from diverse substrates, including hard surfaces, while maintaining efficiency and environmental sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
an aqueous cleaning composition including a composition used as solvent in said aqueous cleaning composition
Implementation Method 2
when used in combination with water and a surfactant, provide cleaning compositions that are highly effective
Data Source
AI summary
Compositions comprising an alkyl 3-hydroxybutyrate and one or more additional components are provided. The compositions of the present invention may include at least one alkyl 3-hydroxybutyrate having at least 3 and not more than 5 carbon atoms, along with one or more additional components including, for example, alkyl butyrates, alkyl acetates, alkyl alcohols, and dimers and/or trimers of the alkyl 3-hydroxybutyrate. Such compositions may be products of, for example, the hydrogenation of an acetoacetate-containing composition.