Concentrated controlled foam detergent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Concentrating liquid detergent compositions to provide efficacious cleaning while maintaining controlled foam and compliance with 1,4-dioxane limits is challenging, as high surfactant concentrations can compromise viscosity and foaming.
Innovation Solution
Concentrated liquid compositions comprising at least 40% active surfactants, including amine oxide, anionic sulfonate, and alkoxylated nonionic surfactants, with a specific actives ratio and low 1,4-dioxane levels, to achieve desired foaming and viscosity without excessive foam.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If surfactant concentration is increased to provide efficacious cleaning, then cleaning performance is improved, but foam control and viscosity are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully adjusting the concentration ratios of different surfactant types (anionic sulfonate, amine oxide, and nonionic surfactants) to achieve optimal cleaning performance while maintaining stable foam characteristics and viscosity. The specific parameter range of 15-30% anionic sulfonate, 5-15% amine oxide, and 5-20% nonionic surfactant creates a balanced composition that resolves the contradiction between high cleaning efficacy and composition stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining three different types of surfactants (anionic sulfonate, amine oxide, and nonionic surfactants) in specific proportions. This composite approach allows the formulation to achieve synergistic effects where the combination provides superior cleaning performance while each component contributes to maintaining foam control and viscosity stability, thus resolving the technical contradiction.
2Productivity
If surfactant concentration is increased to provide efficacious cleaning, then cleaning performance is improved, but 1,4-dioxane compliance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional surfactant systems that rely on ethoxylated compounds (prone to 1,4-dioxane formation) with alternative surfactant chemistry including anionic sulfonates, amine oxides, and nonionic surfactants. This substitution eliminates the need for potentially dioxane-generating ingredients while maintaining effective cleaning performance at high concentrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the surfactant system by selecting specific surfactant types and concentration ranges that inherently avoid 1,4-dioxane formation. The formulation specifies 15-30% anionic sulfonate, 5-15% amine oxide, and 5-20% nonionic surfactant, creating a parameter set that ensures both high cleaning efficacy and regulatory compliance without dioxane contamination.
3Productivity
If surfactant concentration is increased to provide efficacious cleaning, then cleaning performance is improved, but foaming becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the foaming parameters by incorporating nonionic surfactants (5-20%) alongside anionic and amine oxide surfactants. This parameter adjustment creates a balanced foam profile where the nonionic component moderates excessive foaming while the anionic and amine oxide surfactants provide the necessary cleaning power, thus achieving high productivity without harmful excessive foam generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite surfactant materials where the interaction between anionic sulfonate, amine oxide, and nonionic surfactant components creates a balanced foam characteristic. The composite system allows high cleaning performance through synergistic action while the nonionic component specifically addresses foam control, preventing excessive foaming that would otherwise occur with high surfactant concentrations.
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 compositions maintain effective cleaning performance with controlled foam and low 1,4-dioxane levels, requiring no specialized dispensing systems.
Implementation Method 1
concentrated liquid compositions include at least 40% active surfactants in the liquid composition made up of an amine oxide surfactant, an anionic sulfonate surfactant, and an alkoxylated nonionic surfactant
Data Source
AI summary
Concentrated controlled foaming detergent compositions for cleaning are provided. Concentrated liquid compositions including at least 40% active surfactants in the liquid composition made up of an amine oxide surfactant, an anionic sulfonate surfactant, and an alkoxylated nonionic surfactant in a concentrate that has less than about 1 ppm 1,4-dioxane are provided. Methods of using the concentrated foam-controlled compositions for dishwashing are also provided.