Biorenewable Ester Cleaning Composition for Greasy Soil Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for effective, environmentally friendly cleaning compositions that are non-VOC and safe for use on greasy soils without damaging underlying substrates, while also being convenient and safe for users, as existing solutions often fail to balance effectiveness with sustainability and regulatory compliance.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning composition comprising an ester derived from biorenewable sources, such as coconut oil and palm kernel oil, combined with a surfactant and a chelant, and water, which has a vapor pressure less than 0.1 mm Hg at 20°C, ensuring it is non-VOC and effective in removing greasy soils with entrained pigments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional solvents with high VOC content are used to effectively remove greasy soils, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but environmental compliance and user safety deteriorate due to VOC regulations and health concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using esters with vapor pressure less than 0.1 mm Hg at 20°C instead of conventional high-VOC solvents. This parameter change maintains cleaning effectiveness for greasy soils while reducing VOC content to meet regulatory requirements (e.g., CARB's 0.5% by weight limit).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs biorenewable ester solvents that are environmentally degradable, replacing persistent conventional solvents. These biorenewable esters provide the necessary cleaning power for greasy soils but break down naturally, eliminating long-term environmental accumulation and health concerns associated with traditional VOCs.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If biorenewable ester solvents with low VOC content are used to meet environmental regulations, then environmental compliance is improved, but cleaning effectiveness on greasy soils may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite cleaning formulation by combining biorenewable ester solvents with specific surfactants (nonionic, anionic, cationic, or amphoteric) and chelating agents. This composite approach ensures that the low-VOC ester solvent works synergistically with other components to effectively remove greasy soils, pigments, and organic matter, matching or exceeding the performance of conventional high-VOC solvents.
3Productivity
If strong solvents are used to effectively remove greasy soils and pigments, then cleaning power is improved, but safety and environmental friendliness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs biorenewable ester solvents that are environmentally degradable and less hazardous to users compared to conventional strong solvents. These esters provide sufficient cleaning power for greasy soils and pigments but break down naturally, reducing exposure risks and environmental persistence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the solvent parameters by selecting esters with vapor pressure less than 0.1 mm Hg at 20°C, which reduces inhalation exposure and flammability risks compared to conventional solvents. This parameter change maintains cleaning effectiveness while improving user safety and environmental profile.
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 effectively removes greasy soils, including those with pigments, while being environmentally friendly and compliant with VOC regulations, demonstrating comparable or superior cleaning efficacy to conventional solvents, with pH levels influencing cleaning power.
Implementation Method 1
a cleaning composition, comprising: an ester of the formula R1-COO-R2 wherein R1 is a C4-C24 straight or branched chain alkyl or cycloalkyl group and R2 is a C1-C4 straight or branched chain alkyl group
Implementation Method 2
The surfactant may be nonionic, anionic, cationic, or amphoteric, or mixtures thereof
Data Source
AI summary
Described are biorenewable, non-VOC solvents and methods of using the same in cleaning applications.