Aminopolycarboxylate Solid Composition via Evaporation and Cooling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing detergent products face environmental concerns due to phosphorous-based builders, necessitating the development of environmentally friendly alternatives like aminopolycarboxylates that offer manufacturing flexibility, improved stability, and attractive appearance while maintaining effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A process to prepare a solid composition comprising aminopolycarboxylate and water-soluble components by reducing the water content of an aqueous solution to 30 wt.% or less at elevated temperatures, followed by cooling, allowing for the production of amorphous or non-amorphous solids with enhanced dissolution and dispersion properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If phosphorous based builders are used in detergent products, then cleaning performance is improved, but environmental harm increases due to eutrophication

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidenvironmental harm
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces long-lasting phosphorous builders with biodegradable aminopolycarboxylates that break down quickly in the environment, eliminating the persistent eutrophication problem while maintaining cleaning effectiveness throughout the product's use life

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameter from phosphorous-based compounds to aminopolycarboxylate-based compounds, fundamentally altering the environmental behavior of the builder while preserving its water softening and stain removal capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If aminopolycarboxylates are used as alternative builders, then environmental friendliness is improved, but product stability deteriorates due to hygroscopicity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental friendlinessVSAvoidproduct stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite solid composition combining aminopolycarboxylate with water-soluble components in specific ratios, where the combination reduces the hygroscopicity of the individual aminopolycarboxylate while maintaining its environmental benefits and cleaning performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state parameter from liquid or highly hygroscopic solid to a controlled solid composition with limited water content (30 wt% or less), fundamentally altering the hygroscopic behavior while preserving the environmental advantages

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If water content is reduced in aminopolycarboxylate solution, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but processing difficulty increases due to viscosity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing flexibilityVSAvoidprocessing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the phase transition of water evaporation to transform the aqueous aminopolycarboxylate solution into a solid composition, where the gradual removal of water allows control over the transition process and final product properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the water content parameter to a specific range (30 wt% or less) that optimizes the balance between manufacturing flexibility and processing ease, creating a solid composition that is neither too liquid nor too rigid

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 process enables the production of translucent or transparent, amorphous solid compositions that can be easily processed and incorporated into detergent products, providing improved stability, dissolution, and aesthetic appeal.

Implementation Method 1

reducing the water content of the solution to 30 wt. % or less at elevated temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

The liquid desiccated mixture that is formed by reducing the water content of the solution to 30 wt. % or less at elevated temperature is a viscous liquid that is pumpable and that can suitably be processed in various ways. This viscous liquid can be converted into an amorphous or non-amorphous solid by simple cooling.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentEP3755780B2Process of preparing a solid composition comprising aminopolycarboxylate
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 HENKEL KGAA
  • EP3755780B2 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3755780B2 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP3755780B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A process of preparing a solid composition comprising aminopolycarboxylate; one or more water-soluble components other than aminopolycarboxylate; and water, said process comprising the steps of: providing an aqueous solution of the aminocarboxylate and the one or more water-soluble components, said aqueous solution comprising: 5-45 wt. % free acid equivalent of aminopolycarboxylate; 2-40 wt. % of one or more water-soluble components; at least 35 wt. % water; removing water from the aqueous solution by evaporation at a temperature of at least 50°C to produce a liquid desiccated mixture having a water content of not more than 30 wt. %; and reducing the temperature of the desiccated mixture to less than 25°C to obtain the solid composition. A solid composition obtained by said process. A detergent product comprising comprising 1-100 wt.% of a solid amorphous phase and 0-99 wt.% of one or more other solid phases, the solid amorphous phase consisting of said solid amorphous composition, said detergent product containing at least 0.5 wt.% surfactant.