Foam control composition
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foam control agents for hand washing are either ineffective in reducing foam during the washing stage or overly aggressive, leading to excessive water usage and rinsing time due to their inability to differentiate between surfactant concentrations in the washing and rinse stages.
Innovation Solution
A laundry detergent composition with a granulated foam control agent comprising a hydrophobic fluid organopolysiloxane and a finely divided solid hydrophobic filler, which is inactive at high surfactant concentrations during washing but effective at low concentrations during rinsing, allowing for controlled foaming and efficient water use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional foam control agents are used to reduce foaming during washing, then foam overflow is prevented, but lather is greatly reduced during the washing stage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting a foam control agent with specific surface tension properties (27-40 mN/m) that respond differently to surfactant concentration changes. The agent remains inactive at high surfactant concentrations during washing (preserving lather) but becomes active at low concentrations during rinsing (preventing foam overflow), thus resolving the contradiction through dynamic parameter response.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam control agent exhibits dynamic behavior by changing its effectiveness based on surfactant concentration. It transitions from an inactive state during washing (high surfactant concentration) to an active state during rinsing (low surfactant concentration), allowing it to adapt to different process stages and resolve the contradiction between maintaining lather and preventing foam overflow.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If foam control agents are used to eliminate lather, then foam overflow is prevented, but numerous rinses are required
Solution Approach 1:
The foam control agent's effectiveness changes with surfactant concentration, remaining inactive during washing and becoming active during rinsing. This selective activation reduces foam during rinsing stages, thereby reducing the number of rinses required and minimizing time loss while still preventing foam overflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic response of the foam control agent to surfactant concentration changes enables it to switch from inactive to active state during the transition from washing to rinsing. This dynamic behavior reduces excessive foaming during rinsing, thereby reducing the number of rinses needed and minimizing time loss.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If foam control agents are used to reduce foam, then foam overflow is prevented, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The foam control agent's concentration-dependent activity allows it to remain inactive during washing (preserving consumer-perceived effectiveness) and become active during rinsing (reducing foam). This reduces the number of rinses required, thereby reducing water consumption while still preventing foam overflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic activation of the foam control agent based on surfactant concentration enables it to reduce foam during rinsing stages without affecting washing performance. This reduces the number of rinses needed, thereby reducing water consumption while preventing foam overflow.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional antifoam compositions are used, then foaming is controlled, but they are not effective in differentiated surfactant concentration conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects a foam control agent with specific surface tension (27-40 mN/m) that responds to changes in surfactant concentration. This allows the agent to differentiate between high concentration (washing) and low concentration (rinsing) conditions, becoming active only when needed, thus improving adaptability while maintaining foam control.
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 solution effectively inhibits foaming during the rinse stage without reducing foam during the wash stage, significantly reducing water usage and rinsing time, while maintaining perceived detergent efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
said hydrophobic fluid organopolysiloxane having a surface tension of at least 27 mN/m and less than 40 mN/m when measured by drop the shape method at 25°C
Implementation Method 2
a finely divided solid at 100°C hydrophobic filler dispersed in the hydrophobic fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A process for washing a substrate. The process involves providing a detergent composition that includes a surfactant and an antifoam. The antifoam comprises a hydrophobic fluid having a surface tension of at least 27 mN/m and less than 40 mN/m and a finely divided solid hydrophobic filler dispersed in the hydrophobic fluid. The process further involves washing the substrate in an aqueous medium with the detergent composition. The antifoam does not affect foaming during the washing step. During the washing step, the detergent composition is applied to the substrate. The process further involves rinsing the substrate with the applied detergent composition with water, whereby foaming during the rinsing step is inhibited.