Glass Bottle Cleaning Additive for Low-Temperature Caustic Tanks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current glass bottle cleaning methods require high temperatures (80°C-90°C) to achieve effective cleaning, leading to high energy consumption, increased operational risks, and potential safety hazards, while also being costly and inefficient for removing stubborn dirt like mildew stains and mud.

Innovation Solution

A novel cleaning additive comprising an organic phosphine chelating agent, a peroxide, and an antifoaming agent is used in a caustic tank system, allowing for effective cleaning at lower temperatures (50°C-70°C) by enhancing dirt dispersion, oxidation, and mechanical force, while controlling foam generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high temperature (80°C-90°C) is used for cleaning glass bottles, then cleaning effect is improved, but energy consumption increases and safety hazards increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the cleaning agent by introducing a novel additive containing specific functional groups that enhance cleaning performance at lower temperatures. This allows the cleaning process to operate effectively at 50°C-70°C instead of 80°C-90°C, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining reliable cleaning effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The novel cleaning additive acts as an intermediary substance that facilitates the cleaning process at lower temperatures. It mediates between the cleaning agent and the dirt/label residues, enabling effective removal without requiring high thermal energy input, thus resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If high temperature (80°C-90°C) is used for cleaning glass bottles, then cleaning effect is improved, but operational risks and safety hazards increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectVSAvoidsafety hazards
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the temperature parameter from high (80°C-90°C) to moderate (50°C-70°C) and adjusting the chemical composition of the cleaning agent accordingly, the patent reduces safety hazards and operational risks while preserving the cleaning effect through the enhanced chemical formulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If repeated cleaning or manual rinsing is performed to remove stubborn dirt, then cleaning effect is improved, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectVSAvoidcleaning rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the cleaning agent by incorporating a novel additive with enhanced dirt-removal capabilities. This allows stubborn dirt to be removed in a single cleaning cycle rather than requiring repeated cleaning or manual rinsing, thereby maintaining high cleaning effectiveness while preserving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If elevated cleaning temperature is used to remove dried dirt, then cleaning effect is improved, but energy consumption and production cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the cleaning agent to include a novel additive that enhances the removal of dried dirt. This enables effective cleaning at lower temperatures, reducing energy consumption and associated production costs while maintaining the cleaning effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 achieves the same or better cleaning effect as traditional high-temperature methods but with reduced energy consumption and improved safety, effectively removing mildew stains, mud, and clay without breaking labels or causing excessive corrosion.

Implementation Method 1

the component B contains a peroxide... achieving the same or better cleaning effect... effectively removing mildew stains, mud, and clay

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

the component A contains an organic phosphine chelating agent... enhancing dirt dispersion... effectively removing mildew stains, mud, and clay

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChelation:

Implementation Method 3

the component C contains an antifoaming agent... controlling foam generation... enhancing dirt dispersion... effectively removing mildew stains, mud, and clay

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFoam generation: Foam

Data Source

PatentEP2925846B1Cleaning additive
Publication Date: 2020.09.23 ECOLAB USA INC
  • EP2925846B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2925846B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2925846B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention discloses a glass bottle cleaning additive and cleaning method for glass bottles, for use in treatment by cleaning glass bottles in a primary caustic tank and a secondary caustic tank, said cleaning additive consisting of a component A, a component B and a component C, wherein the component A contains an organic phosphine chelating agent, the component B contains a peroxide, and the component C contains an antifoaming agent, the component A is added in the primary caustic tank, the component B is selectively added in the primary caustic tank, the component A and the component B are added in the secondary caustic tank, and the component C is selectively added in the primary caustic tank or the secondary caustic tank. The addition amount of the component A is 0.05%-0.5%, the addition amount of the component B is 0.1%-0.5%, and the addition amount of the component C is 0-0.5%, based on the weight of an caustic solution added in the primary caustic tank or the secondary caustic tank. The caustic solution in said primary caustic tank and said secondary caustic tank is a 1.5%-3% sodium hydroxide solution. The glass bottle cleaning additive and cleaning method for glass bottles of the invention enable a stable and good cleaning effect at a relatively low temperature, usually 50-70°C.