Bio-Based Liquid Detergent Surfactant Blend for Viscosity and Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing detergent compositions that replace synthetic surfactants with bio-based alternatives often suffer from poor cleaning performance and unacceptably low viscosity, making them ineffective and challenging to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A liquid detergent composition that combines bio-based alkyl ethoxylate sulfate (AES) with sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) in specific weight ratios, along with a nonionic surfactant, to maintain high bio-based carbon content while enhancing cleaning capability and viscosity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If synthetic surfactants are replaced with bio-based surfactants, then ecological responsibility is improved, but detersive performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by formulating a detergent composition that combines multiple surfactant types (anionic surfactants including bio-based alkyl polyglucoside and/or alkyl polyethoxylate, nonionic surfactants including alcohol ethoxylate and/or alkyl polyglucoside, and optionally cationic surfactants) to achieve both ecological responsibility and effective cleaning performance. This composite approach allows the benefits of different surfactant classes to work synergistically while maintaining biodegradability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If synthetic surfactants are replaced with bio-based surfactants, then ecological responsibility is improved, but viscosity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the viscosity of the liquid detergent composition within the range of 200-5000 cP at 25°C through adjustment of surfactant concentrations and ratios. The formulation specifies anionic surfactant content of 5-50 wt%, nonionic surfactant content of 5-50 wt%, and optional cationic surfactant of 0.1-10 wt%, which collectively maintain both ecological responsibility and acceptable viscosity for consumer perception and processing.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If bio-based carbon content is increased, then ecological responsibility is improved, but processing challenges increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the concentration ranges of different surfactant components to achieve a viscosity range (200-5000 cP at 25°C) that balances ecological responsibility with manufacturing ease. This controlled parameter approach prevents excessive viscosity that would cause filling problems while maintaining high bio-based content.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies composite materials by combining multiple surfactant types with complementary properties to achieve both high biodegradability and suitable rheological characteristics for manufacturing. The synergistic combination of anionic, nonionic, and optionally cationic surfactants creates a formulation that is both ecologically responsible and processable.
4Ease of manufacture
If lower viscosity is achieved with bio-based surfactants, then processing is easier, but consumer perception of cleaning quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by establishing a minimum viscosity threshold of 200 cP at 25°C for the liquid detergent composition. This parameter control ensures the product maintains sufficient thickness to be perceived by consumers as having adequate cleaning strength, while remaining below 5000 cP to avoid manufacturing difficulties during filling operations.
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 achieves consumer-acceptable cleaning performance and higher viscosity, overcoming previous limitations of bio-based carbon detergent compositions, thereby improving both cleaning efficiency and manufacturing ease.
Implementation Method 1
an anionic surfactant blend of bio-based AES in combination with sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)... used in effective amounts to provide consumer-acceptable cleaning performance
Implementation Method 2
a nonionic surfactant... used in effective amounts to provide consumer-acceptable cleaning performance
Implementation Method 3
blends of synthetic anionic, nonionic, and conditioning cationic surfactants... to improve cleaning performance
Data Source
AI summary
A detergent composition includes an anionic detergent surfactant blend including alkyl ethoxylate sulfate (AES) and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). A weight ratio of AES to SLS is from about 5:1 to about 1:5. The detergent composition further includes a nonionic detergent surfactant. A weight ratio of the anionic detergent surfactant blend to nonionic detergent surfactant is from about 3:1 to about 1:3. Still further, the detergent composition includes water. A bio-based carbon content of the detergent composition based on ASTM D6866 is from about 50% to about 100% by weight of the overall detergent composition.