Extended Chain Anionic Surfactants for Low-Temperature Fat Emulsions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current detergents face challenges in effectively removing non-trans fats and fatty acids due to their high molecular weight, polyunsaturation, and tendency to polymerize, leading to difficulties in forming dispersions or bicontinuous structures, and pose safety concerns such as laundry fires due to heat of polymerization.
Innovation Solution
A surfactant system comprising a synergistic combination of extended chain anionic surfactants with a linker and a multiply charged cation, such as Mg2+, which forms emulsions with non-trans fats at relatively low temperatures, reducing the need for additional surfactants or alcohol components and minimizing volatile organic solvents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional surfactants are used to remove non-trans fats, then cleaning effectiveness is reduced, but using extended chain anionic surfactants improves cleaning effectiveness while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular structure parameter of the surfactant by using extended chain anionic surfactants with specific hydrocarbon chains (C12-C22) instead of conventional surfactants. This structural parameter change enables effective emulsification of non-trans fats while preventing the polymerization and fire risks associated with conventional surfactant systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite surfactant system combining extended chain anionic surfactants with specific cations (Mg2+, Ca2+, or Zn2+) at controlled ratios. This composite approach enhances cleaning effectiveness against non-trans fats while the cation-surfactant interaction stabilizes the emulsion to prevent polymerization and fire hazards.
2Stability of the object's composition
If short chain alcohols are added to solubilize oil phase, then homogeneity is improved, but flammability and VOC content increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes short chain alcohols from the formulation entirely, replacing their solubilization function with extended chain anionic surfactants that can emulsify oil phases without adding flammability or VOC concerns. This extraction of the harmful component while maintaining the functional benefit resolves the contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the surfactant chain length parameter to extended chains (C12-C22) that provide sufficient solubilization capacity without requiring additional short chain alcohols. This parameter change achieves homogeneity through the surfactant's inherent emulsifying power rather than through alcohol addition.
3Productivity
If NPEs are used as surfactants, then cleaning performance is effective, but environmental toxicity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs surfactants with biodegradable extended chain structures that break down more readily in the environment compared to NPEs. These surfactants provide equivalent cleaning performance but are designed to be environmentally transient rather than persistent, resolving the toxicity issue while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the surfactant molecular structure from NPE-based to extended chain anionic structures with specific hydrocarbon chains and head groups. This structural parameter change eliminates the estrogenic activity and environmental persistence of NPEs while preserving cleaning performance through enhanced emulsification capabilities.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If alcohol ethoxylates are used to replace NPEs, then environmental friendliness is improved, but smoking occurs during high heat exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the surfactant structure to extended chain anionic surfactants with higher thermal stability compared to alcohol ethoxylates. The extended hydrocarbon chains and anionic head groups create a more thermally robust structure that does not decompose or smoke during high heat exposure like ironing, while maintaining environmental compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite system where extended chain anionic surfactants work synergistically with cations to form stable complexes that resist thermal decomposition. This composite structure provides both environmental friendliness and thermal stability, preventing the smoking issue that occurs with alcohol ethoxylates during high heat exposure.
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 surfactant system is highly effective in removing non-trans fats and other oily soils, reducing the risk of laundry fires, and operates efficiently across a wide temperature range, enhancing cleaning performance without the drawbacks of traditional surfactants like nonylphenol ethoxylates.
Implementation Method 1
Surfactants reduce the surface tension of water by adsorbing at the liquid-gas interface. They also reduce the interfacial tension between oil and water by adsorbing at the liquid-liquid interface.
Implementation Method 2
The detergent compositions are useful for removing a number of challenging stains including non-trans fats and fatty acids by forming emulsions with such oily and greasy soils for their removal.
Implementation Method 3
A surfactant system comprising a synergistic combination of extended chain anionic surfactants with linkers like amine oxides or dioctyl sulfosuccinate, and a multiply charged cation such as Mg2+, which forms microemulsions at low temperatures
Data Source
AI summary
The invention discloses synergistic combinations of surfactants blends and cleaning composition. In certain embodiments a surfactant system is disclosed which includes extended anionic surfactants, linker surfactants, and a multiply charged cation component. This system forms emulsions with, and can remove greasy and oily stains, even those comprised of non-trans fats. The compositions may be used alone, as a pre-spotter or other pre-treatment or as a part of a soft surface or hard surface cleaning composition.