Liquid Detergent Surfactant Rheology and Dissolution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Detergents with high viscosity often face dissolution problems and environmental impact concerns, while users associate high viscosity with quality but also seek effective cleaning and sudsing performance.
Innovation Solution
A liquid detergent with a low surfactant level, specifically using an alkoxylated anionic surfactant system with a controlled alkoxylation degree, branched structure, and a balanced ratio of surfactants to achieve a desirable rheology and suds profile, along with the absence of external structurants to enhance cost-effectiveness and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If high viscosity is used to improve perceived quality, then user satisfaction increases, but dissolution performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the surfactant system by controlling the alkoxylation degree (EO content) within a specific range (0.2-1.75), which directly affects the viscosity-dissolution relationship. This parameter optimization allows the detergent to achieve both acceptable viscosity for user satisfaction and adequate dissolution performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite surfactant system comprising multiple types of surfactants (alkoxylated anionic, non-ionic, and optionally cationic surfactants) in specific ratios. This composite approach allows balancing rheological properties (viscosity) with functional performance (dissolution and cleaning) by leveraging the complementary properties of different surfactant classes.
2Reliability
If high surfactant level is used to improve cleaning performance, then cleaning efficiency increases, but environmental impact worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the surfactant concentration parameter to a low level (5-20% by weight) while compensating for the reduced quantity through careful selection of surfactant types and their ratios. The controlled alkoxylation degree and specific surfactant combinations enhance the effectiveness per unit mass, maintaining cleaning efficiency at lower overall surfactant levels, thereby reducing environmental burden.
3Ease of operation
If thick liquid consistency is used to convey strength, then perceived quality improves, but dissolution speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the viscosity parameters by controlling the alkoxylation degree of the surfactant within a narrow range (0.2-1.75 EO). This precise parameter control ensures the liquid maintains a thick, appealing consistency for quality perception while preventing excessive viscosity that would hinder dissolution. The balanced surfactant composition further optimizes the viscosity-dissolution trade-off.
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 alkoxylated anionic surfactant having and alkoxylation degree of from 0.20 to 1.75 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.