Personal Care Gel Network Stability via Segmented Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for preparing personal care compositions, particularly those with a gel network system, are not entirely satisfactory as they fail to consistently produce stable compositions that can incorporate thermosensitive compounds effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a recirculated aqueous stream with controlled temperature, shear, and flow rate, using a specific apparatus that includes a reactor and recircularization loop with a heat exchanger, to create a stable gel network system by adding fatty alcohols and non-ionic surfactants, allowing for the incorporation of thermosensitive compounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional mixing methods are used to prepare personal care compositions with gel network systems, then the formulation process is simple, but the gel network stability is insufficient and thermosensitive compounds cannot be effectively incorporated
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing process is divided into distinct stages: initial mixing of fatty alcohols and non-ionic surfactants to form the gel network, followed by a separate cooling stage, and finally the addition of thermosensitive compounds. This segmentation allows each component to be processed under optimal conditions, ensuring gel network stability while protecting thermosensitive compounds from degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The gel network is formed in advance before adding thermosensitive compounds. The fatty alcohols and non-ionic surfactants are mixed and allowed to form a stable gel structure first, creating a protective matrix that can subsequently accommodate thermosensitive compounds without exposing them to harsh mixing conditions.
2Productivity
If high temperature processing is used to prepare the composition, then mixing efficiency is improved, but thermosensitive compounds degrade
Solution Approach 1:
The gel network is formed at elevated temperatures to ensure proper mixing and structure development, then the mixture is cooled before adding thermosensitive compounds. This preliminary formation of the gel matrix at higher temperatures allows efficient mixing while the subsequent cooling protects the thermosensitive compounds from thermal degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The process employs periodic temperature changes: initial heating for efficient mixing and gel formation, followed by cooling to protect thermosensitive compounds. This periodic temperature control allows the system to benefit from high-temperature mixing efficiency while avoiding continuous thermal exposure that would degrade sensitive compounds.
3Quantity of substance
If thermosensitive compounds are added during active mixing, then incorporation is efficient, but the compounds are exposed to harmful shear and temperature conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The gel network structure is formed in advance before adding thermosensitive compounds. This pre-formed structure provides a stable, low-shear environment for incorporating the compounds, ensuring both efficient incorporation and maintained stability without exposing the compounds to harmful mixing conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The recirculation system continuously circulates the aqueous stream through the mixing zone, ensuring continuous and uniform incorporation of thermosensitive compounds into the gel network. This continuous action maintains homogeneous distribution while the controlled, gentle mixing conditions preserve compound stability.
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
This method enables the preparation of personal care compositions with a stable gel network that can include thermosensitive compounds, ensuring the right conditions for compound addition and maintaining stability, thereby improving the formulation process.
Implementation Method 1
exchanging heat between the recirculated aqueous stream and a cooling media, for obtaining a cooled, recirculated aqueous stream
Implementation Method 2
the stream is cooled to a temperature of ≤ 45°C
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A method for preparing a personal care composition, a personal care composition obtained thereof, and an apparatus suitable for implementing the method are provided.