Hygroscopic Detergent Formulation Stabilization via pH Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Detergent formulations containing aminocarboxylate chelants are prone to water uptake, which leads to instability and degradation of moisture-sensitive ingredients such as bleaching agents and enzymes.
Innovation Solution
A hygroscopic detergent formulation is developed where the aminocarboxylate chelant is at least partially protonated, reducing the formulation's hygroscopicity and stabilizing moisture-sensitive ingredients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If aminocarboxylate chelant is used in detergent formulation, then cleaning performance is improved, but water uptake increases leading to instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical state of the aminocarboxylate chelant from fully deprotonated salt form to partially protonated form by adjusting pH to 7-9. This parameter change reduces the hygroscopicity of the chelant, thereby decreasing water uptake and improving formulation stability while maintaining cleaning performance.
2Reliability
If aminocarboxylate chelant is used to complex magnesium and calcium ions, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but moisture-sensitive ingredients degrade
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the pH parameter to 7-9, which partially protonates the aminocarboxylate chelant. This reduces its hygroscopicity and minimizes water uptake, thereby protecting moisture-sensitive ingredients like bleaching agents and enzymes from degradation while still allowing effective complexation of calcium and magnesium ions.
3Reliability
If fully deprotonated aminocarboxylate salt is used, then chelating ability is maximized, but hygroscopicity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the protonation state of the aminocarboxylate chelant by controlling pH to 7-9. This partial protonation reduces the negative charge density and hygroscopicity of the chelant, thereby decreasing its affinity for water while maintaining sufficient chelating ability for effective detergent performance.
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 partially protonated aminocarboxylate chelant reduces the formulation's sensitivity to water uptake, maintaining the stability and activity of moisture-sensitive ingredients during storage.
Implementation Method 1
Builders are incorporated in detergent formulations to complex magnesium and calcium ions as well as to maintain alkaline pH conditions
Implementation Method 2
The aminocarboxylate chelant in the detergent composition is at least partially protonated. Partial protonation of the aminocarboxylate chelant can be achieved, for instance, by employing a completely deprotonated salt of the aminocarboxylate chelant in combination with a substantial amount of an acid, such as citric acid
Implementation Method 3
Aqueous solutions of aminocarboxylate salts are alkaline, with a 1% (w/w) solution in distilled water typically having a pH in the range of 11-12
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a detergent formulation comprising water, one or more moisture-sensitive detergent ingredients and an aminocarboxylate chelant comprising at least three carboxylate residues; wherein the combination of aminocarboxylate chelant and water represents at least 20% by weight of the detergent formulation;wherein the weight ratio of aminocarboxylate chelant to water lies within the range of 5:6 to 5:1; and wherein the detergent formulation has a pH in the range of 7.2 to 12. The detergent composition offers the advantage that adverse effects of water uptake during storage are minimized. The invention further relates to detergent product comprising a container that holds the aforementioned detergent formulation.