EDDS Polycarboxylic Acid Adduct for Detergent Solubility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current forms of ethylenediamine disuccinic acid (EDDS) used in detergents are either hygroscopic, difficult to incorporate into solid compositions, or have limited water solubility, making them unsuitable for use in laundry and dishwashing applications, particularly in powdered or compressed tablet forms.
Innovation Solution
A free-flowing particulate solid adduct of EDDS with a further polycarboxylic acid, such as citric acid, is created, where EDDS is present in a molar excess, enhancing water solubility and stability, allowing for easier incorporation into solid compositions without being hygroscopic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the solid tetra acid form of EDDS is used, then it can be incorporated into granular compositions, but its water solubility is limited to 0.3 g/Kg
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of EDDS by creating an adduct with a polycarboxylic acid, which modifies the crystal structure and physical properties. This transformation enables the material to achieve both solid form stability for incorporation and enhanced water solubility, resolving the contradiction between manufacturability and solubility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material by forming an adduct between EDDS and a polycarboxylic acid. This composite structure combines the benefits of both components: the solid form stability of EDDS with the solubility-enhancing properties of the polycarboxylic acid, achieving both ease of manufacture and adequate solubility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the trisodium salt of EDDS is used, then it can be supplied as a liquid, but it is difficult to incorporate into solid products
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the physical state and chemical structure of EDDS by forming a solid adduct with a polycarboxylic acid. This parameter change enables the material to be incorporated into solid detergent formulations while maintaining the beneficial properties of the original EDDS compound.
3Ease of manufacture
If the solid tetra acid form of EDDS is used, then it is available as a solid, but the water of crystallisation causes stability problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the problematic water of crystallisation from the EDDS structure by forming an anhydrous adduct with a polycarboxylic acid. This extraction eliminates the source of stability problems while maintaining the solid form and functionality of EDDS in the detergent composition.
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 adduct is readily water-soluble, non-hygroscopic, and easily incorporated into solid compositions, improving the formulation and performance of detergents by maintaining stability and effectiveness in laundry and dishwashing applications.
Implementation Method 1
Builders are included as water softening agents to complex calcium ions
Implementation Method 2
transition metals present in water may cause problems in compositions containing bleaching agents as they can cause decomposition of peroxygen species. Thus it is common to add a chelating agent to compositions which include a bleaching agent
Data Source
AI summary
An adduct of ethylenediamine disuccinic acid or a salt thereof and a further polycarboxylic acid or a salt thereof wherein the further polycarboxylic acid is selected from citric acid, polyaspartic acid, tartaric acid, malonic acid, maleic acid, carboxymethyl inulin, oxalic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, pimelic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, malic acid and fumaric acid; and wherein said adduct is in the form of a free flowing particulate solid; wherein EDDS is present in the adduct in a molar excess compared with the further polycarboxylic acid.