Laundry Detergent Surfactant Ratio Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry detergent compositions do not maximize the cleaning benefits of alkyl ether carboxylates when used in combination with other surfactants, particularly with a high ratio of linear alkyl benzene sulfonate.
Innovation Solution
An aqueous liquid laundry detergent composition comprising 5-19 wt.% linear alkyl benzene sulfonate, 0.5-8 wt.% alkyl ether carboxylic acid, at least 60 wt.% water, and optional ethoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfactant, with a weight fraction of alkyl ether carboxylic acid to linear alkyl benzene sulfonate ranging from 0.05 to 1, and optionally including phosphorous containing chemicals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If alkyl ether carboxylates are used in combination with other anionic surfactants in conventional ratios, then cleaning performance is improved, but the enhancement is not maximized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameters of the surfactant system, specifically using linear alkyl benzene sulfonate at 5-19 wt% and alkyl ether carboxylate at 0.5-8 wt%, with a weight ratio from 0.05 to 1. This parameter optimization maximizes the cleaning enhancement benefit of alkyl ether carboxylates when combined with linear alkyl benzene sulfonate, resolving the contradiction between reliable cleaning performance and maximized enhancement benefit.
2Reliability
If higher concentration of alkyl ether carboxylate is used, then cleaning performance on greasy stains is improved, but formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters within specific ranges (0.5-8 wt% alkyl ether carboxylate, 5-19 wt% linear alkyl benzene sulfonate) and their ratio (0.05 to 1), achieving improved cleaning performance on greasy stains while maintaining manageable formulation complexity through defined parameter boundaries.
3Reliability
If alkyl ether carboxylate is combined with multiple surfactant types, then cleaning performance is enhanced, but the ratio optimization becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the formulation ratio optimization by defining specific concentration ranges and weight ratios for the surfactant combination. By specifying linear alkyl benzene sulfonate at 5-19 wt% and alkyl ether carboxylate at 0.5-8 wt% with a weight ratio from 0.05 to 1, the patent makes formulation manufacturing easier while maintaining enhanced cleaning 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 composition achieves enhanced cleaning performance, particularly on greasy stains and at low temperatures, with improved removal of human sebum and other stains, as demonstrated by increased reflectance values in fabric cleaning tests.
Implementation Method 1
aqueous liquid laundry detergent composition comprising: (i) from 5 to 19 wt.% of linear alkyl benzene sulfonate anionic surfactant, (ii) from 0.5 to 8 wt.% of an alkyl ether carboxylic acid anionic surfactant
Data Source
AI summary
An aqueous liquid laundry detergent composition comprising: (i) 5-19 wt% of LAS, (ii) 0.5-8 wt% of an alkyl ether carboxylic acid surfactant of the structure: R2-(OCH2CH2)n-OCH2-COOH, wherein R2 is C16-C18 linear alkyl chain; n is 10-25, and the ratio of (ii) to (i) is 0.05-1; (iii) at least 60 wt% water; (iv) 0-2 wt% of an ethoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfactant, wherein the ratio of (iv) to (i) is 0-0.2; and, (v) 0-1 wt.% of phosphorous containing chemicals; and wherein the composition optionally comprises a further anionic surfactant, wherein the ratio of further surfactant to (i) is 0-0.55. A method of treating a textile comprising: a) treating textile with 1 g/L of an aqueous solution of said composition; b) contacting said solution from 10 minutes to 2 days, then rinsing and drying.