Biodegradable Surfactant Blend for Grease Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Nonylphenol ethoxylates, commonly used for removing grease from surfaces, are hazardous and non-biodegradable, posing environmental and health risks, necessitating a safer alternative.

Innovation Solution

A solvent-free composition comprising an alkyl polyglucoside and a nonionic surfactant with a C6 or less carbon chain, such as a linear C6 alcohol ethoxylate, which provides enhanced emulsification properties and superior grease-cutting capabilities without the use of solvents or phosphates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If nonylphenol ethoxylate is used as a surfactant, then grease removal effectiveness is improved, but environmental safety deteriorates due to hazardous properties and non-biodegradability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrease removal effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the surfactant system by replacing nonylphenol ethoxylate with an ethoxylated alcohol surfactant having a specific carbon chain length (C6 or less) and ethylene oxide content (3-6 moles). This parameter change maintains grease removal effectiveness while eliminating the hazardous properties and improving biodegradability of the original surfactant.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite surfactant system by combining ethoxylated alcohol with specific additives including calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate, and other surfactants. This composite formulation achieves superior grease cutting properties and environmental safety compared to single-component systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If solvents are used as carriers for surfactants, then cleaning performance is improved, but ecotoxicological profile deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidecotoxicological profile

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the solvent component from the cleaning composition. The formulation achieves effective grease removal without requiring traditional solvents as carriers, thereby significantly enhancing the ecotoxicological profile while maintaining cleaning performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of requiring solvents for surfactant delivery into a benefit by formulating a solvent-free system. The ethoxylated alcohol surfactant system naturally provides sufficient solubility and delivery capability without harmful solvent additives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Adaptability or versatility

If nonionic surfactant with C6 or less carbon chain is used, then emulsification properties are improved, but surfactant stability may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemulsification propertiesVSAvoidsurfactant stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the parameter of carbon chain length to C6 or less and ethylene oxide content to 3-6 moles, achieving enhanced emulsification properties for both polar and non-polar oils. The specific parameter range balances emulsification effectiveness with compositional stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent stabilizes the short-chain ethoxylated alcohol surfactant by combining it with complementary surfactants and additives in a composite formulation. This composite approach compensates for potential stability issues while enhancing overall emulsification performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 effectively removes soils and grease from various surfaces, offering improved ecotoxicological profiles and reduced formulation costs, while being free from hazardous nonylphenol ethoxylates and solvents, thus providing a safer and more environmentally friendly cleaning solution.

Implementation Method 1

The present invention provides a composition effective at removing soils and grease from a variety of surfaces... comprising an alkyl polyglucoside and a nonionic surfactant having a carbon chain of C6 or less... possesses enhanced emulsification properties with respect to both polar and non-polar oils

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentUS8287658B2Biodegradable surfactant blend

Publication Date: 2012.10.16 ECOLAB USA INC

AI summary

A degreasing composition is disclosed comprising an alkyl polyglucoside; and a nonionic surfactant having a carbon chain of C6 or less. The nonionic surfactant comprises linear C6 alcohol ethoxylate. In an embodiment the linear C6 alcohol ethoxylate comprises from about 3 to about 6 moles of ethylene oxide. In another embodiment the alkyl polyglucoside and the alcohol ethoxylate comprise an active ratio of from about 3:1 to about 1:1 in the composition. The composition of the invention is useful in formulating a laundry detergent, a hard surface cleaner, an automatic dishwashing detergent, a hand dishwashing detergent, an oven cleaner, hand soap, or an automotive detergent.