Caustic-Free Detergent for Fish Soil Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automatic warewashing detergents struggle to effectively remove tenacious soils caused by raw fish protein and oil, particularly in caustic-free and chlorine-free formulations, which are sought after by customers in markets like Japan due to safety and environmental concerns.
Innovation Solution
Development of a substantially caustic and chlorine-free detergent composition using an alkali metal carbonate as an alkaline source, combined with active agents such as branched fatty acid salts, alcohol alkoxylates, and inorganic salts, which maintain a pH of at least 10 and include solidification agents to form effective solid or liquid detergents for removing tenacious soils.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If caustic-free and chlorine-free detergent formulations are used, then safety and environmental performance are improved, but cleaning effectiveness on tenacious soils is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the detergent by using alternative alkaline sources (soda ash, potassium carbonate) instead of caustic, and by incorporating specific active agents (branched fatty acid salts, alcohol alkoxylates, inorganic salts) to achieve both safety and cleaning effectiveness. The formulation adjusts pH levels and component concentrations to maintain cleaning power while eliminating harmful substances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite detergent formulation combining multiple active agents (branched fatty acid salts, alcohol alkoxylates, inorganic salts) with alkaline sources and builders. This composite approach allows the detergent to achieve enhanced cleaning effectiveness on tenacious soils like raw fish protein and oil while maintaining the caustic-free and chlorine-free formulation for safety and environmental benefits.
2Ease of manufacture
If sodium carbonate is used instead of sodium hydroxide, then manufacturing and processing advantages are improved, but alkalinity strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent compensates for the reduced alkalinity strength of sodium carbonate by adjusting the formulation parameters, including increasing the concentration of alkaline sources and incorporating multiple active agents with different mechanisms of action. The pH of the wash solution is optimized to achieve effective cleaning while maintaining the manufacturing advantages of using sodium carbonate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the detergent formulation multi-functional by incorporating various active agents that perform different cleaning functions. The branched fatty acid salts, alcohol alkoxylates, and inorganic salts work together to provide comprehensive cleaning capability, allowing the milder sodium carbonate to effectively replace the stronger sodium hydroxide across a range of cleaning applications.
3Reliability
If traditional detergents are used, then cleaning effectiveness on tenacious soils is improved, but safety concerns and environmental impact are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful caustic and chlorine components from traditional detergent formulations while retaining the essential cleaning functionality. By eliminating these harmful substances and replacing them with safer alternatives, the patent achieves both effective cleaning and improved safety/environmental performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the limitation of milder alkaline sources into a benefit by designing a formulation that leverages the gentler action of sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate to achieve effective cleaning without the harshness and environmental damage associated with caustic and chlorine-based detergents.
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 detergent composition effectively removes tenacious soils from raw fish, outperforming traditional detergents in protein and oil removal, as demonstrated by visual grade improvements in cleaning performance across various testing scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
an alkali metal carbonate as an alkaline source in an amount effective to provide a use solution having a pH of at least 10; the alkaline components impart detergency to the compositions by breaking down acidic and proteinaceous soils
Implementation Method 2
a chelating agent in an amount of about 1 to 30 wt. %; The hardness sequestering agent acts to condition the wash water by chelating or otherwise complexing the metal cations responsible for the precipitation of alkali metal builder salts and detergents
Data Source
AI summary
A detergent composition as described which can be utilized in a variety of applications for cleaning surfaces and objects, removing suspended soils, and rinsing easily. The detergent composition is particularly effective at removing soils caused by raw fish soil.