Anti-Mist Polymer Additives for Diluted Spray Concentrates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aqueous sprayable compositions often produce small particle aerosols that can remain suspended in the air, leading to misting and inhalation issues, particularly when used with transient trigger sprayers, which is a concern in various applications where larger droplet sizes are desired to reduce misting and inhalation risks.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating anti-mist components such as polyethylene oxide, polyacrylamide, or polyacrylate into the concentrate sprayable compositions, which, when diluted, increase the median droplet size and reduce misting, thereby minimizing inhalation risks and improving application efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional sprayable compositions are used, then spray application is achieved, but small particle aerosols are generated that remain suspended in air causing misting and inhalation issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the sprayable composition by incorporating polymers (polyethylene oxide, polyacrylamide, or polyacrylate) at specific concentrations (0.001% to 0.1% by weight). These parameter changes modify the fluid dynamics during spraying, increasing median droplet size from typical aerosol ranges to larger droplets that settle faster, thereby reducing misting and inhalation risks while maintaining application efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite sprayable composition by combining conventional cleaning agents with anti-mist polymers. This composite formulation integrates the functional properties of cleaning surfactants with the droplet-modifying properties of polymers, achieving both effective cleaning and reduced aerosol formation in a single sprayable solution
2Loss of substance
If concentrate solutions are diluted with water, then transportation and storage costs are reduced, but stability at elevated and low temperatures becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of the polymer additives in the concentrate formulation. By maintaining polymers at low concentrations (0.001% to 0.1% in the final diluted solution, corresponding to higher concentrations in the undiluted concentrate), the formulation achieves temperature stability during storage and transport while still providing effective anti-mist performance after dilution. This parameter optimization prevents premature polymer degradation or precipitation during concentrate storage
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 anti-mist components effectively increases the median droplet size of the sprayable solutions, reducing misting and inhalation risks, and enhancing the application's effectiveness in institutional, food, and healthcare settings by minimizing aerosol formation.
Implementation Method 1
The non-Newtonian composition has a viscosity of less than about 40 centipoise. The anti-mist component is selected from polyethylene oxide, polyacrylamide, polyacrylate and combinations thereof.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-Newtonian concentrate composition includes a sensitizer or irritant, a surfactant, an anti-mist component and optionally a stability component. Example sensitizers and irritants include, but are not limited to, acids, quaternary compounds, and amines, and example anti-mist components include, but are not limited to, polyethylene oxide and polyacrylamide.