Liquid Detergent Surfactant Ratio Viscosity Dissolution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Detergents with high viscosity often face dissolution problems, which negatively impact their performance, and there is a need for a product that balances cleaning efficacy, suds generation, environmental impact, cost-effectiveness, ease of manufacture, and stability during storage and use.
Innovation Solution
A liquid detergent with a surfactant system comprising anionic and amphoteric surfactants in a specific weight ratio, primarily using alkyl ethoxy sulphates and amine oxide, which provides good cleaning, fast dissolution, and stable viscosity under varying shear conditions, without external structurants to maintain cost-effectiveness and ease of manufacture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the detergent has high viscosity to appear thick and strong, then the quality perception is improved, but the dissolution performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the anionic to amphoteric surfactant weight ratio within a specific range (1:1 to 8.5:1) to achieve the desired viscosity. By adjusting the concentrations and types of surfactants, the formulation achieves thick, appealing viscosity without compromising dissolution performance, resolving the contradiction between appearance quality and functional performance.
2Reliability
If the detergent uses high level of surfactant to improve cleaning and suds performance, then the cleaning efficacy is improved, but the environmental impact worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of surfactant concentration to a low level (5-20% by weight) while optimizing the ratio between anionic and amphoteric surfactants. This approach maintains effective cleaning and suds generation through synergistic interactions between surfactant types, while reducing overall surfactant load to minimize environmental impact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite surfactant system combining anionic and amphoteric surfactants in specific ratios. This composite approach allows the formulation to achieve high cleaning performance and suds generation with lower total surfactant levels, as the synergistic interaction between different surfactant types enhances efficacy while reducing quantity needed.
3Productivity
If the detergent has fast dissolution to enable quick suds generation, then the cleaning speed is improved, but the viscosity stability under shear conditions worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes multiple parameters including surfactant ratio (anionic to amphoteric), surfactant concentration (5-20%), and specific surfactant selection to achieve a balanced formulation. This multi-parameter optimization enables the detergent to exhibit both fast dissolution for quick suds generation and stable viscosity under shear conditions for consistent pouring 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 detergent achieves effective cleaning, fast suds generation, and stability, with a favorable rheology and environmental profile, while maintaining constant viscosity and performance under different conditions, thus addressing the challenges of high viscosity detergents.
Implementation Method 1
The detergent comprises from about 5% to about 20%, preferably from about 8% to about 18% by weight thereof of a surfactant system. The surfactant system comprises an anionic surfactant and an amphoteric surfactant.
Implementation Method 2
The viscosity of the detergent of the invention at rest and under normal pouring conditions is fairly constant. The ratio of medium shear to high shear viscosity is preferably, from about 2 to about 1, more preferably from about 1.5 to about 1, even more preferably from about 1.25 to about 1, most preferably about 1
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid detergent comprising from about 5% to about 20% by weight thereof of a surfactant system wherein the surfactant system comprises an anionic and an amphoteric surfactant comprising an amine oxide surfactant wherein the anionic and amphoteric surfactants are in a weight ratio of from about 1:1 to about 8.5:1 and wherein the detergent at 20°C has a pouring viscosity of from about 2500 mPa s to about 6000 mPa s and a ratio of medium to high shear viscosity of from about 2 to about 1.