Liquid Detergent Foam Control via Fatty Acid Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid detergent compositions fail to maintain foaming characteristics during the main wash while effectively reducing foam during the rinse cycle, leading to excessive water usage in household cleaning processes, particularly in hand dish washes.
Innovation Solution
A liquid detergent composition comprising a surfactant system with a primary surfactant of the formula R1-(OR')n-SO3-M+, a secondary surfactant selected from alkylbenzene sulphonates and alkyl sulphates, a combination of saturated fatty acids (lauric and stearic acid), and a non-ionic surfactant, which provides antifoaming activity during rinse without compromising the initial foam.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional liquid detergent compositions are used, then foaming characteristics are maintained during main wash, but excessive foam persists during rinse cycle requiring large amounts of water
Solution Approach 1:
The detergent composition is segmented into distinct functional components: primary anionic surfactants for foam generation during wash, and a specific fatty acid system (lauric and stearic acid combination) for foam control during rinse. This segmentation allows the same product to deliver opposing functions at different stages of the cleaning process.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam control mechanism is dynamic rather than static. The lauric and stearic acid system responds to changes in water hardness and pH between wash and rinse cycles, actively suppressing foam during rinse when water hardness decreases, while allowing foam during wash when water hardness is higher.
2Quantity of substance
If water reuse is implemented to save water, then water consumption is reduced, but foam control during rinse becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention exploits parameter changes in the rinse water, specifically the decrease in water hardness and pH compared to wash water. The lauric and stearic acid system is specifically selected to respond to these parameter changes by becoming more effective at foam suppression in the lower pH, softer water conditions typical of rinse cycles.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If fatty acids are added to reduce rinse foam, then foam during rinse is suppressed, but foaming characteristics during main wash may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite surfactant system combining primary anionic surfactants (for wash foam) with a specific composite of saturated fatty acids - lauric acid (C12) and stearic acid (C18). This composite material approach allows the fatty acid component to suppress rinse foam while the anionic surfactant maintains wash foam, as the two systems work synergistically rather than competitively.
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 effectively reduces foam during the rinse cycle, thereby conserving water and maintaining the desired foaming characteristics during the wash, making it suitable for water-saving household cleaning processes.
Implementation Method 1
whereby upon rinsing, at least a portion of said fatty acid is converted to a soap which functions to suppress foam during rinsing
Implementation Method 2
a liquid detergent composition comprising a surfactant system comprising a primary surfactant of the formula R1-(OR')n-SO3-M+, a secondary surfactant selected from alkylbenzene sulphonates and alkyl sulphates
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is in the field of liquid detergent compositions having foaming and cleaning characteristics in the main wash, yet significant foam reduction during rinse. It has been a challenge to provide consumers with a cleaning composition that maintains the initial foam while exhibiting an antifoaming effect during rinse. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an antifoaming effect during rinse while maintaining foaming characteristics in the mainwash. It has been found that this object may be achieved in hard surface cleaning processes by a liquid detergent comprising a surfactant system of a primary and a secondary surfactant, a combination of saturated fatty acids selected from lauric and stearic acid and a non-ionic surfactant.