Concentrated Liquid Detergent Surfactant Composition for Polymer Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Highly concentrated liquid detergents face stability issues due to the incompatibility of polymeric components, leading to turbidity, sedimentation, or phase separation, which negatively affect washing performance and aesthetic appearance.
Innovation Solution
A specially adapted surfactant system comprising at least 30 wt.% anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants with specific HLB values, and polymeric compounds like soil-release polymers and dye transfer inhibitors, ensuring stable incorporation of polymeric components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If surfactant concentration is increased to achieve higher concentration detergent, then productivity and resource efficiency are improved, but stability of polymeric components deteriorates leading to cloudiness, sedimentation, and phase separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully adjusting the concentrations and ratios of different surfactant types (anionic, nonionic, amphoteric, and zwitterionic) to achieve a stable formulation at 30% or higher total surfactant concentration. Specifically, the patent defines precise concentration ranges for each surfactant class and their interactions to maintain polymer stability while achieving high concentration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by creating a multi-component surfactant system that combines four different types of surfactants (anionic, nonionic, amphoteric, and zwitterionic) with polymeric compounds. This composite surfactant system works synergistically to stabilize polymeric components at high surfactant concentrations, preventing cloudiness, sedimentation, and phase separation.
2Reliability
If polymeric components are added to improve washing performance, then cleaning effectiveness is enhanced, but compatibility with high surfactant concentration decreases causing turbidity and sedimentation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the concentration of polymeric compounds within specific ranges (0.1-10% by weight) and adjusting their interaction parameters with the multi-component surfactant system. The patent defines precise concentration parameters for different types of polymeric compounds (soil-release, anti-reposition, dye transfer inhibitors) to maintain stability at high surfactant levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses nonionic and amphoteric/zwitterionic surfactants as intermediaries that mediate between anionic surfactants and polymeric compounds. These intermediary surfactants reduce incompatibility and prevent direct adverse interactions between anionic surfactants and polymers, thereby preventing turbidity and sedimentation while maintaining washing performance.
3Loss of substance
If high surfactant concentration is used to reduce bottle size and transport weight, then loss of substance and transport cost are reduced, but product stability during storage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the total surfactant concentration within 30-70% by weight and the ratio of different surfactant types to achieve optimal storage stability. The patent defines specific concentration parameters that allow high concentration for reduced transport weight while maintaining stability during extended storage periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by formulating a multi-component surfactant system with four different surfactant types that work together to maintain stability during storage. This composite system prevents phase separation and sedimentation even at high concentrations, enabling reduced bottle size and transport weight without sacrificing storage stability.
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 solution provides stable formulations that maintain washing performance and appearance, allowing larger quantities of polymeric components to be incorporated without turbidity or phase separation.
Implementation Method 1
a specially adapted surfactant system with a combination of at least 30% total surfactant concentration, including anionic, nonionic, and polymeric components
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to highly concentrated isotropic liquid detergents having a surfactant content of 30 wt.% and more, also containing polymer compounds selected from soil -release polymers, dye transfer inhibitors, anti-redeposition agents and dispersion agents, and having an optimised product stability which is possible due to a specifically adapted, defined surfactant system. The invention also relates to methods for washing textiles using the described detergents and to the use thereof.