Liquid Anionic Surfactant Solidification With Binders and Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods struggle to convert liquid anionic surfactants like sulfates and sulfonates into solid form without compromising efficacy, leading to issues such as tackiness, caking, and reduced active concentration, making them difficult to incorporate into solid formulations.
Innovation Solution
The use of water-soluble binders and carriers in combination with drying processes like fluidized beds and spray drying to solidify liquid anionic surfactants, resulting in free-flowing, high-concentration solid surfactant compositions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If liquid anionic surfactants are solidified using conventional methods, then solid form is achieved, but the surfactant becomes tacky and suffers from caking, compaction and agglomeration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the solidification process by using water-soluble binders and carriers with specific solubility characteristics (greater than 0.2 g/L at 20°C), controlling moisture content (5-20%), and adjusting pH levels to maintain surfactant efficacy while preventing tackiness and caking
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces water-soluble binders and carriers as intermediary substances that facilitate the solidification process. These intermediaries form a matrix that holds the surfactant particles while maintaining free-flowing properties and preventing direct aggregation between surfactant molecules
2Shape
If liquid anionic surfactants are solidified using conventional methods, then solid form is achieved, but the active concentration of the surfactant is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters by selecting binders and carriers with appropriate solubility thresholds and controlling the ratio of surfactant to binder/carrier to maintain high active concentration while achieving solid form
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a solid formulation that replicates the functional properties of liquid surfactants while maintaining high active concentration through careful selection of water-soluble binders that do not dilute the surfactant content
3Shape
If liquid anionic surfactants are solidified, then solid form is achieved, but the surfactant performance in foam and soil removal is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains surfactant efficacy by controlling pH levels, moisture content, and binder/carrier selection to preserve the chemical properties necessary for foam and soil removal performance
Solution Approach 2:
The water-soluble binders and carriers act as intermediaries that do not interfere with surfactant functionality, allowing the surfactant to maintain its cleaning properties while being incorporated into a solid matrix
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 solidified surfactant compositions maintain similar performance to their liquid counterparts in terms of foam and soil removal, enabling their use in higher concentrations in solid cleaning compositions.
Implementation Method 1
drying device(s), wherein the feed composition contains at least one surfactant and a water soluble binder, carrier, or both binder and carrier
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to solidification of liquid anionic surfactants with a binder, carrier, or both binder and carrier to form a solidified surfactant composition. In particular, the invention relates to solidification of liquid surfactants utilizing drying device(s), wherein the feed composition contains at least one liquid surfactant and the binder, carrier, or binder and carrier to form a solidified surfactant composition. The solidified surfactant compositions can be useful in various cleaning compositions.