Phosphate-Free Dishwashing Detergent with Cyclic Carboxylates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dishwashing detergents containing phosphorus-based ingredients, such as phosphates and phosphonates, are harmful to the environment and require alternatives that maintain cleaning performance and plaque inhibition, especially in low-temperature and short-duration washing processes.
Innovation Solution
Development of phosphate- and phosphonate-free dishwashing detergents incorporating cyclic compounds with at least two carboxylate groups and phosphorus-free builders like citrate, MGDA, GLDA, and EDDS, which enhance cleaning performance and plaque inhibition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If phosphorus-containing ingredients (phosphates and phosphonates) are used as builders in dishwashing detergents, then cleaning performance and plaque inhibition are improved, but environmental harm increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts phosphates and phosphonates from the detergent composition, removing the harmful substance while retaining the essential cleaning function through alternative phosphorus-free builders like citrate, MGDA, GLDA, and EDDS
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by substituting phosphorus-containing compounds with phosphorus-free organic acid derivatives, specifically using cyclic compounds with at least two carboxylate groups in combination with phosphorus-free builders to maintain cleaning efficacy without environmental harm
2Object-affected harmful factors
If phosphorus-free builders are used in dishwashing detergents, then environmental harm is reduced, but cleaning performance and plaque inhibition deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite detergent system combining multiple phosphorus-free builders (cyclic compounds with carboxylate groups plus phosphorus-free builders like citrate, MGDA, GLDA, or EDDS) that work synergistically to achieve cleaning performance equivalent to phosphorus-containing formulations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops a universal phosphorus-free builder system that performs multiple functions: water softening, soil suspension, and plaque inhibition, previously dominated by phosphates and phosphonates, thereby maintaining overall cleaning performance without phosphorus
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional phosphorus-free builders are used in dishwashing detergents, then environmental harm is reduced, but plaque inhibition performance deteriorates in low-temperature and short-duration processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes process parameters by using cyclic compounds with at least two carboxylate groups that remain effective at low temperatures (50°C or below) and short durations (less than 60 minutes), changing the chemical reactivity parameters to maintain plaque inhibition under accelerated washing conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enhances local effectiveness at the dish surface by using cyclic compounds with multiple carboxylate groups that provide concentrated plaque inhibition activity precisely where needed, compensating for the reduced overall process intensity of low-temperature and short-duration washing
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 combination of cyclic compounds and phosphorus-free builders in dishwashing detergents provides equivalent cleaning performance and plaque inhibition to phosphorus-containing detergents, even in low-temperature and short-duration processes, while being environmentally friendly.
Implementation Method 1
contain at least one cyclic compound with at least two carboxylate groups as well as at least one phosphorus-free builder... for removing soiling and for inhibiting deposits
Implementation Method 2
from 0.5 to 20% by weight of phosphonate(s)... for inhibiting deposits
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a dishwashing detergent containing at least one cyclic compound with at least two carboxylate groups, and at least one phosphorous-free builder, characterized by having a very good residue inhibition when machine dishwashing.