DEA-Free Pot Pan Cleaner Surfactant System for Hard Water
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning compositions that rely on cocamide diethanolamine (DEA) face regulatory challenges due to carcinogenic concerns and fail to provide adequate foaming properties and stability in hard water, necessitating a replacement that is safe, environmentally friendly, and economically feasible.
Innovation Solution
A surfactant system comprising linear alcohol ethoxylate, semi-polar nonionic surfactant, sultaine, divalent ion, and humectant is used to create cleaning compositions that are DEA-free and phosphate-free, offering improved foaming properties and stability in hard water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cocamide diethanolamine (DEA) is used as a rheology modifier and foaming agent, then the cleaning composition achieves desired viscosity and foaming properties, but the composition faces regulatory challenges due to carcinogenic concerns and performs poorly in hard water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes cocamide DEA from the formulation entirely, extracting the harmful substance while maintaining the desired functional properties through alternative surfactant combinations. The cleaning composition achieves its rheology and foaming requirements without the carcinogenic agent, directly resolving the safety and regulatory issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters by substituting cocamide DEA with alternative surfactants including linear alcohol ethoxylate, semi-polar nonionic surfactant, and sultaine. This parameter change maintains or improves foaming properties and hard water stability while eliminating the harmful effects of DEA.
Solution Approach 3:
The patent employs a composite surfactant system combining multiple surfactant types (linear alcohol ethoxylate, semi-polar nonionic surfactant, sultaine) to achieve the functional properties previously provided by cocamide DEA alone. This composite approach provides synergistic effects that improve both foaming properties and hard water stability while eliminating carcinogenic concerns.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the cleaning composition is formulated without DEA, then safety and environmental friendliness are improved, but achieving adequate viscosity and foaming properties becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple surfactant components (linear alcohol ethoxylate, semi-polar nonionic surfactant, sultaine) into a unified system that collectively provides the viscosity and foaming properties needed. Each surfactant contributes specific properties that complement the others, achieving the desired reliability without DEA.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts formulation parameters by optimizing the concentrations and ratios of alternative surfactants to achieve target viscosity and foaming properties. Through parameter optimization, the composition attains adequate rheology and foaming performance while maintaining safety and environmental benefits of being DEA-free.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional rheology modifiers and foaming agents are replaced, then regulatory compliance and safety are improved, but the complexity of formulation development increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alternative surfactants in the patent perform multiple functions simultaneously - providing rheology modification, foaming, and hard water stability - eliminating the need for separate specialized additives. This multi-functionality simplifies the overall formulation while achieving regulatory compliance and safety requirements.
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 surfactant system provides cleaning compositions with enhanced viscosity, foaming properties, and stability in hard water, ensuring effective cleaning without the use of DEA, while being safe and environmentally friendly.
Implementation Method 1
The cleaning compositions include a surfactant system comprising two or more of the following: a linear alcohol ethoxylate, semi-polar nonionic surfactant, and sultaine
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to novel cleaning compositions that are substantially free of cocamide diethanolamine. In an aspect of the invention, the compositions utilize a surfactant system and coupling agents as a replacement for the rheology modifier cocamide diethanolamine. The combination of a surfactant system and coupling agents can be used as a replacement for traditional rheology modifiers and foaming agents which are under regulatory pressure while providing concentrated liquid cleaning compositions with a viscosity of 400 cps or less. In another aspect the invention relates to novel cleaning compositions such as pot and pan soaking compositions, dishwashing compositions, food and beverage foaming cleaners, vehicle cleaning and the like suitable for use in hard water, which can be solid or liquid. The invention further relates to methods of making these compositions, and to methods employing these compositions.