Co-granule Core-Shell Design for Controlled Bleach Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bleach activator-bleach catalyst co-granules in detergents do not ensure that the catalyst is released first in the wash liquor, followed by the activator, leading to suboptimal bleaching performance at low temperatures and hygiene issues due to uneven dissolution rates.
Innovation Solution
The development of co-granules with a granule core containing bleach activators and a shell or coating layer composed entirely of bleaching catalysts, where the weight ratio of core to shell is between 95:5 to 50:50, ensuring the catalyst is released first, followed by the activator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If activator and catalyst are mixed in the same granule, then homogeneous distribution and space saving are achieved, but uneven dissolution rates cause suboptimal bleaching performance
Solution Approach 1:
The granule is segmented into two distinct functional zones: a core region containing the activator and a shell region containing the catalyst. This spatial segmentation ensures that the catalyst is released first during dissolution, followed by the activator, maintaining optimal reaction conditions for low-temperature bleaching while ensuring homogeneous distribution throughout the detergent formulation.
2Speed
If catalyst granules dissolve faster than activator granules, then catalyst availability is improved, but persalt is used up before reacting with activator
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the granule structure with catalyst in the shell and activator in the core, the catalyst is released first during dissolution, but the controlled release mechanism ensures that the activator becomes available immediately after, preventing premature consumption of persalt while maintaining optimal reaction timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The catalyst is positioned in the shell to be released first as a preliminary action, preparing the reaction environment before the activator is released from the core, ensuring that persalt is available for both catalyst and activator reactions in the correct sequence.
3Stability of the object's composition
If separate granules are used for activator and catalyst, then component stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The activator and catalyst are merged into a single co-granule structure with distinct functional zones (core and shell), maintaining the stability benefits of separate components while achieving space saving and reduced manufacturing complexity through integrated production of one granule type instead of two.
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
This configuration ensures that the bleaching catalyst is released before the activator, enhancing low-temperature bleaching performance and hygiene by maintaining the desired proportion of reactants, thereby improving the overall bleaching efficacy and hygiene in dishwashing detergents.
Implementation Method 1
bleach catalysts, with the bleach catalysts in particular having proven to be particularly effective
Implementation Method 2
the hydrogen peroxide released from it, with the activator and catalyst take part in the bleaching process
Implementation Method 3
The bleaching effect of the catalyst is effectively supported by the peroxycarboxylic acid formed from the activator
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to co-granules containing a granule core and a sheath or coating layer surrounding the granule core. Said co-granules are characterised in that the granule core contains a) at least one bleach activator, a2) between 0 and 20 wt. % of the total quantity of at least one bleach catalyst contained in the co-granule, and c) at least one binding agent, and the sheath or coating layer contains d) between 80 and 100 wt. % of the total quantity of the at least one bleach catalyst contained in the co-granule, and e) at least one coating agent. The co-granules are advantageously suitable for producing cleaning products and detergents and especially products for washing crockery in a machine.