Non-toxic Cleaning Solution for Aliphatic Acid Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cleaning solutions are ineffective in solubilizing and removing aliphatic acids, such as fatty acids, which form stable foams that contaminate surfaces and machinery, leading to costly repairs and production losses, and existing defoamers are often caustic or hazardous.
Innovation Solution
A non-toxic cleaning solution comprising a base, an alcohol, and a detergent, specifically n-dodecyl-N,N-dimethylamine-N-oxide, effectively solubilizes and removes aliphatic acids by forming a synergistic composition that can be used to eliminate or prevent foam formation on surfaces and in solutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional cleaning solutions are used to remove aliphatic acid contaminants, then general cleaning may be achieved, but the aliphatic acids remain solubilized and form stable foams that contaminate surfaces and machinery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful foaming property of aliphatic acids into a beneficial cleaning mechanism. The cleaning solution is designed to solubilize aliphatic acids and form stable foams that can be easily removed, transforming the problematic foam formation into an effective cleaning action that lifts and removes contaminants from surfaces and machinery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the cleaning solution by incorporating specific solubilizing agents that alter how aliphatic acids interact with surfaces. The solution modifies the solubility and surface tension properties to enable effective removal of aliphatic acid contaminants without leaving residual foam contamination
2Object-generated harmful factors
If defoamers are used to reduce foam formation, then foam can be eliminated, but the defoamers are often caustic or hazardous
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than using hazardous defoamers to suppress foam, the patent converts the foaming tendency into a beneficial cleaning mechanism. The aliphatic acid-containing foam is harnessed to lift and remove contaminants, eliminating the need for separate defoaming agents and avoiding the toxicity and hazard problems associated with conventional defoamers
3Reliability
If multiple cycles of washing and rinsing are performed to remove contaminants, then cleaning effectiveness may improve, but time and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating a pre-soak step where the cleaning solution is allowed to dwell on contaminated surfaces before agitation. This preliminary contact time enables the solubilizing agents to penetrate and loosen aliphatic acid contaminants, making subsequent rinsing more effective and reducing the total number of cycles needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes cleaning parameters including temperature, concentration, and contact time to achieve effective contaminant removal in fewer cycles. By adjusting these parameters, the solution maximizes cleaning efficiency while minimizing time and resource consumption
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 allows for rapid, simple, and effective removal of aliphatic acid contaminants, preventing foam formation and reducing maintenance costs while being safe for use in various industrial and consumer settings.
Implementation Method 1
The solution components are non-toxic and exhibit remarkable ability to solubilize aliphatic acids, such as fatty acids
Implementation Method 2
A non-toxic cleaning solution comprising a base, an alcohol, and a detergent, specifically n-dodecyl-N,N-dimethylamine-N-oxide, effectively solubilizes and removes aliphatic acids by forming a synergistic composition that can be used to eliminate or prevent foam formation on surfaces and in solutions
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are cleaning solutions. More particularly, non-toxic solutions of base, water, alcohol and detergent, that effectively and surprisingly eliminate contaminating aliphatic acids in aqueous solutions. When present as a foam or even a contaminating film remaining on various parts and surfaces, aliphatic acid contaminants can be present a large and costly problem in manufacturing operations, cleaning tasks, personal hygiene. The need to remove such contaminants arises in a myriad environments and situations, such as during the manufacture of detergents, pharmaceuticals, consumer products, coring and core analysis, manipulation of oils, fuels, fermentation applications, manufacture of emollients, moisturizers, liquors, foods such as seafood, milk, butter and other dairy products, water processing, paper products, tissue culture, reusable clinical equipment, and the like. Presented are cleaning compositions and methods that effectively eliminate and prevent build up of such dangerous and costly contaminants in aqueous solutions.