Low-pH Cleaning Composition for Fryer Grease Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for cleaning fryers and hard surfaces soiled with grease and oils in the food service industry are time-consuming, require exposure to hot surfaces and caustic chemicals, and necessitate personal protective equipment (PPE), making them inefficient and hazardous.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning composition comprising a rheology modifier, an alkalinity source with less than 1 wt-% caustic, an emulsifier, and a solvent, applied at room temperature to cling to surfaces and emulsify grease, reducing cleaning time and eliminating the need for PPE.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional boil-out cleaning methods are used, then baked-on grease can be removed, but cleaning time increases to 45-60 minutes and exposure to hot surfaces is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the cleaning composition by using a low-pH formulation (pH 2-6) with specific surfactant combinations and solvent systems, allowing effective grease removal at room temperature without requiring prolonged heating time. This parameter change enables the cleaning to proceed effectively at lower temperatures, reducing the 45-60 minute boil-out time to a faster process.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning composition employs a composite formulation combining multiple surfactants (anionic, nonionic, and amphoteric types), solvents, and additives in specific ratios. This composite material approach creates synergistic effects that enhance grease-emulsifying capability while maintaining low pH stability, enabling rapid cleaning without compromising effectiveness.
2Reliability
If high pH caustic cleaners are used, then grease removal effectiveness improves, but exposure to caustic chemicals increases requiring PPE
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the pH parameter from traditional high-pH caustic cleaners (pH 12-14) to a low-pH formulation (pH 2-6). This parameter inversion achieves effective grease removal through alternative mechanisms involving surfactant-emulsifier-solvent complexes rather than caustic saponification, thereby eliminating the need for PPE while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces surfactants and solvents as intermediary substances that mediate the cleaning process. These intermediaries form emulsifying complexes with grease, allowing removal without direct contact with harsh caustic agents. The surfactant-solvent-grease complex acts as an intermediary mechanism that achieves grease removal while protecting user safety.
3Area of stationary object
If cleaners are applied to vertical or inverted surfaces, then broader surface coverage is achieved, but contact time is reduced preventing effective soil removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs surfactants that form flexible adhesive films on vertical and inverted surfaces. These film-forming surfactant layers conform to surface geometry and maintain adhesion against gravity, ensuring prolonged contact time even on challenging orientations. The film structure allows the cleaner to remain in place long enough to effectively emulsify and remove baked-on grease.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite cleaning formulation includes specific surfactant combinations with adhesive and film-forming properties that enable the composition to maintain stability and contact on vertical/inverted surfaces. The synergistic interaction between surfactants, solvents, and additives creates a formulation that adheres well to various orientations while maintaining effective grease-emulsifying action throughout the required contact period.
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 composition effectively removes baked-on soils from vertical and inverted surfaces in less than 25 minutes, reducing exposure to hot surfaces and caustic chemicals, while eliminating the need for PPE, thus improving efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
an emulsifier, wherein the emulsifier is a surfactant, emulsifier and/or wetting agent
Implementation Method 2
at least one rheology modifier; at least one alkalinity source
Data Source
AI summary
Cleaning compositions and methods of use thereof for cleaning fryers and other hard surfaces soiled by grease, shortening, oils and other soils commonly encountered in the food service industry are disclosed. Cleaning compositions and methods of use which beneficially remove soils from vertical and/or inverted surfaces, reduce the cleaning time required for removing such difficult to remove and baked on soils, reduce exposure to hot surfaces by allowing cleaning at or near room temperature, reduce exposure to caustic chemicals, and/or eliminate the need for personal protective equipment (PPE) for use of the cleaning compositions are disclosed.