Alkaline Laundry Detergent Emulsion Stability via ASE-HASE Polymer Blends
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid detergent compositions require expensive and time-consuming premixes, homogenization, and milling processes to achieve stable emulsions, which are energy-intensive and costly, and struggle with phase separation under temperature stress.
Innovation Solution
A liquid detergent composition using a blend of alkali-swellable polymers (ASE) and hydrophobically-modified alkali-swellable polymers (HASE) that can be batch-mixed without premixes or homogenizers, providing stable emulsions that maintain viscosity and prevent phase separation across temperature ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If cross-linked or partly cross-linked polyacrylic acid/polymethacrylic acid thickeners and stabilizers are used to maintain stable emulsions, then emulsion stability is improved, but production cost and process complexity increase due to required premixes and homogenization steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex premix and homogenization steps from the production process by using pre-dissolved polymer stabilizers that can be directly incorporated into the emulsion without requiring separate processing stages, thereby simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining emulsion stability
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer stabilizers are pre-dissolved in water before being added to the emulsion formulation, allowing them to be readily incorporated without requiring complex premixing equipment or multi-step processing, thus reducing device complexity while ensuring stable emulsion formation
2Stability of the object's composition
If cross-linked or partly cross-linked polyacrylic acid/polymethacrylic acid thickeners and stabilizers are used to maintain stable emulsions, then emulsion stability is improved, but energy consumption increases due to required milling or homogenization steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the energy-intensive milling or homogenization steps from the production process by using pre-dissolved polymer stabilizers that can be directly mixed into the emulsion, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining stable emulsion formation
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-dissolved polymer stabilizers automatically dissolve and distribute themselves in the emulsion without requiring external mechanical energy input from mills or homogenizers, allowing the system to self-stabilize without additional energy consumption
3Stability of the object's composition
If conventional stabilizing systems with cross-linked polymers are used, then emulsion stability is improved, but production cost increases due to expensive machinery and processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for expensive milling or homogenization machinery by using pre-dissolved polymer stabilizers that can be incorporated through simple mixing processes, thereby reducing production costs while maintaining stable emulsion formation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, complex machinery with simple, low-cost mixing equipment by using pre-dissolved polymer stabilizers that can be incorporated through basic mixing processes, significantly reducing production costs while achieving the same emulsion stability
4Productivity
If detergents are formulated to be highly alkaline for effective cleaning, then cleaning performance is improved, but phase separation occurs under temperature stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces pre-dissolved polymer stabilizers as intermediary substances that mediate between the highly alkaline detergent components and the emulsion structure, preventing phase separation under temperature stress while maintaining effective cleaning performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the polymer stabilizers from solid to pre-dissolved liquid form, which alters their interaction with the emulsion components and prevents phase separation under temperature stress while allowing high alkalinity for effective cleaning
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 solution enables stable, cost-effective, and energy-efficient production of detergent compositions that remain stable for months without phase separation, eliminating the need for expensive machinery and processes, while maintaining effective cleaning performance.
Implementation Method 1
blends of alkali-swellable polymers (ASE) and hydrophobically-modified alkali-swellable polymers (HASE)
Implementation Method 2
provide stable emulsions that maintain viscosity and prevent phase separation across temperature ranges
Data Source
AI summary
Liquid detergent compositions with polymer blends to provide a stable aqueous use solution of a highly alkaline detergent composition are provided. The liquid detergent composition include concentrates and use solutions with blends of alkali-swellable polymers (ASE) and hydrophobically-modified alkali-swellable polymers (HASE). Methods for washing textiles using the liquid detergent compositions are also provided.