Structuring Premix Viscosity Reduction via Alkyl Sulphate Emulsification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing structuring premixes with non-polymeric, crystalline, hydroxyl-containing agents have high viscosities, making them difficult to blend into liquid compositions, especially in low water applications, and require high energy for processing, which can damage the structuring agent and reduce its efficacy.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a linear alkyl sulphate surfactant, such as sodium dodecyl sulphate, as an emulsifier to form a structuring premix with lower viscosity, allowing for easier blending and processing, while reducing the amount of water required and maintaining structuring capability, especially suitable for low water liquid compositions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a non-polymeric, crystalline, hydroxyl-containing structuring agent is used to structure liquid compositions, then structuring efficacy is improved, but viscosity increases making blending difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A water-soluble polymer is introduced as an intermediary substance that facilitates the interaction between the structuring agent and the liquid composition. The polymer acts as a bridge, allowing the high-viscosity structuring agent to be effectively incorporated while maintaining structuring efficacy. The polymer's amphiphilic nature enables it to interact with both the hydrophobic structuring agent and the aqueous liquid composition, resolving the blending difficulty without compromising structuring performance.
2Reliability
If high levels of structuring agent are used to achieve desired structuring, then structuring capability is enhanced, but viscosity increases requiring more water which compromises low water applications
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical-chemical parameters of the system by introducing a water-soluble polymer that modifies the rheological properties of the liquid composition. This polymer addition allows for effective structuring at lower water contents by altering the interaction mechanisms between molecules, enabling enhanced structuring capability without the need to increase water content to reduce viscosity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite system comprising the structuring agent, water-soluble polymer, and liquid composition components. This composite approach allows the polymer to work synergistically with the structuring agent, providing enhanced structuring capability while maintaining low water content. The polymer matrix facilitates efficient structuring through its unique solubility and interaction properties.
3Productivity
If high energy processing is used to blend high viscosity premixes, then blending is achieved, but the structuring agent is damaged reducing efficacy
Solution Approach 1:
The water-soluble polymer serves as a protective intermediary during the blending process. It forms a protective environment around the structuring agent molecules, reducing their exposure to high-shear forces and mechanical stress during mixing. This intermediary protection allows for effective blending at lower energy inputs, preventing damage to the structuring agent while still achieving homogeneous distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The introduction of the polymer changes the rheological parameters of the premix, reducing its viscosity and improving its flow characteristics. This parameter change enables effective blending at lower energy inputs, avoiding the need for high-energy processing that would damage the structuring agent. The polymer-modified premix can be blended more gently while still achieving uniform distribution.
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 use of linear alkyl sulphate surfactants in structuring premixes results in a lower viscosity blend that is easier to process, reduces energy requirements, and maintains structuring efficacy, even at high levels of non-polymeric, crystalline, hydroxyl-containing structuring agents, making them suitable for fragile particulates and low water liquid compositions.
Implementation Method 1
a linear alkyl sulphate surfactant, in combination with water, as an emulsifier to form a structuring premix having a lower viscosity
Data Source
AI summary
The need for a structuring premix, having lower viscosities, which are more suitable for use in low water liquid compositions, is met by emulsifying a non-polymeric, crystalline, hydroxyl-containing structuring agent using an alkyl sulphate.