Alkaline Cleaning Composition Foam and Corrosion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning compositions for hard and soft surfaces face issues such as foam formation, corrosion of alkaline-sensitive surfaces, high component concentrations, and scale precipitation, which hinder effective cleaning and handling in automated processes.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning composition comprising water-soluble biodegradable aminopolycarboxylate chelants, gluconate, sequestering agents, and liquid conditioner polymers, with a specific weight ratio, that minimizes foam formation, reduces corrosion, and prevents scale precipitation, while maintaining effective cleaning performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If aqueous alkali cleaners are used for cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but foam formation occurs which reduces cleaning properties and causes dosing problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes foam-forming components (surfactants and alkaline agents) from the cleaning composition entirely, replacing them with a foam-free alternative system based on organic acids and chelating agents that achieve cleaning without foam generation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the cleaning system by using organic acids (formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid) and their salts instead of traditional alkaline cleaners, operating at lower pH values (2-7) to prevent foam formation while maintaining cleaning effectiveness through chelating agents
2Reliability
If aqueous alkali cleaners are used to clean alkaline sensitive surfaces, then cleaning power is improved, but corrosion and discoloration of surfaces occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by using acidic cleaners instead of alkaline cleaners for metal surfaces, thereby preventing corrosion and discoloration while maintaining effective cleaning through the combination of organic acids and chelating agents that dissolve mineral deposits and organic soils
3Reliability
If high concentrations of cleaning components are used to provide enhanced cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the composition becomes bulky causing transport and handling problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite cleaning system combining organic acids, their salts, and chelating agents in specific ratios, achieving enhanced cleaning effectiveness through synergistic interactions while maintaining lower overall concentrations and reduced bulkiness compared to traditional high-concentration formulations
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 enhanced cleaning efficacy with reduced component concentrations, prevents corrosion of sensitive surfaces, and minimizes foam formation, ensuring efficient automated cleaning processes without scale buildup.
Implementation Method 1
two water-soluble biodegradable aminopolycarboxylate chelants of glutamic acid N,N-diacetic acid and methylglycinediacetic acid
Implementation Method 2
a gluconate; c) at least one sequestering agent of a phosphonate
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a cleaning composition with enhanced cleaning activity and to the use for cleaning of hard and soft surfaces. In particular, the invention relates to a liquid alkaline cleaning composition useful in the cleaning of all kinds of articles or surfaces. The composition for cleaning comprises: a) at least one chelant of a water-soluble aminopolycarboxylate and/or aminopolycarboxylic acid; b) at least one C3 to C9 organic carboxylate and/or C3 to C9 organic carboxylic acid; c) at least one sequestering agent; d) at least one liquid conditioner polymer of monomers of water-soluble monoethylenically unsaturated C3 to C8-carboxylates and/or of water-soluble monoethylenically unsaturated C3 to C8-carboxylic acids; e) at least one solvent; wherein the weight ratio of the C3 to C9 organic carboxylate and/or C3 to C9 organic carboxylic acid to the water-soluble aminopolycarboxylate and/or aminopolycarboxylic acid is in the range from 1:1 to 1:5.