Aqueous Cleaning Composition with Phosphate and Ester
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solvent-based and caustic acid/alkali-based cleaning compositions are hazardous, requiring special handling and storage, and existing non-toxic aqueous compositions for removing organic coatings lack improved cleaning and coating-removal effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
An aqueous composition comprising a compound of formula (I), an ester, a surfactant, water, and optionally a rheology control agent and anti-foaming agent, with water content greater than 80% but less than 99% by weight, forming a stable and optically transparent emulsion for effective surface cleaning and coating removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If solvent-based compositions (methylene chloride or other volatile organic compounds) are used for cleaning surfaces and removing coatings, then effective cleaning and coating removal is achieved, but the compositions become toxic, irritant, and require special storage and handling procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces harmful solvent-based compositions with water-based compositions, converting the harmful organic solvents into benign water as the primary solvent. This substitution maintains cleaning effectiveness while eliminating toxicity and irritancy, allowing safe handling without special protective equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the solvent from organic volatile compounds to water, fundamentally altering the safety profile while maintaining functional performance. This parameter change enables the composition to be non-toxic and non-irritant while still effectively removing coatings and cleaning surfaces
2Reliability
If caustic acids or alkalis are used in aqueous cleaning compositions, then cleaning and coating removal effects are achieved, but substantial health and safety concerns arise requiring special storage and handling procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates caustic acids and alkalis from the composition, replacing them with non-caustic aqueous components. This conversion removes the health and safety hazards associated with caustic substances while preserving the cleaning and coating removal effectiveness through alternative non-caustic mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses mild, non-caustic ingredients that are safer and more environmentally friendly, replacing the need for harsh chemicals. These gentler components achieve the desired cleaning effect without creating long-term health and safety concerns or requiring special handling procedures
3Object-affected harmful factors
If water content in aqueous cleaning compositions is increased beyond 80% by weight, then safety and environmental friendliness improve, but the composition may become unstable or lose optical clarity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces surfactants as intermediary substances that enable high water content formulations to remain stable and optically clear. These surfactants act as mediators between water and other composition components, preventing phase separation and maintaining transparency even when water constitutes the majority of the formulation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the water content parameter to exceed 80% by weight while simultaneously adjusting other parameters (surfactant concentration, pH, temperature) to maintain composition stability and optical clarity. This multi-parameter optimization allows achieving both high safety through water dominance and functional stability
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 effective cleaning and coating removal without toxicity or irritancy, maintaining optical clarity and stability, and can be thickened without impairing cleaning properties, offering a safer and more environmentally friendly alternative with improved performance.
Implementation Method 1
for plasticising or softening coatings or other surface-adhered materials prior to stripping or mechanical removal thereof from the surface
Implementation Method 2
The said composition exists as a stable, preferably optically transparent, emulsion which does not separate into oil and water phases
Implementation Method 3
an aqueous composition comprising: (a) the following components (i) and (ii): (i) at least one compound of formula (I)... (ii) an ester... (b) a surfactant
Implementation Method 4
The use of a rheology control agent to thicken the composition to the form of a gel can increase its viscosity without impairing its cleaning properties
Data Source
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AI summary
An aqueous composition for cleaning surfaces, for removing coatings from surfaces, or for plasticising or softening coatings or other surface-adhered materials prior to stripping or mechanical removal thereof from the surface, comprises a trialkyi or triaryl phosphate, a dibasic or tribasic carboxylic acid ester, and greater than 80% by weight of water. The composition is useful in removing grease, waxes, oil, resins, tar, ink, magic marker ink, paint (including spray-paint), varnish, lacquer, stains (including wood staining compositions applied to a wooden surface), dirt, mould or foodstuffs from surfaces.