Low-Water Bleach Dispersion for Temperature-Stable Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bleaching agents in dosing systems for dishwashers and washing machines face instability due to temperature fluctuations, leading to loss of activity and phase separation, especially when exposed to temperatures between 10°C to 75°C, affecting their cleaning performance.
Innovation Solution
A chemically and physically stable bleach dispersion is achieved by formulating a cleaning agent with a water content below 5% using a matrix of organic solvents, nonionic surfactants, and suspended agents, specifically with 10-45% oxygen bleach, 15-60% 1,3-propanediol, and 15-60% nonionic surfactant, and controlling particle sizes below 1.0 mm to maintain stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bleaching agents are used in dosing systems for multiple dosing, then cleaning performance is improved, but stability against temperature fluctuations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the bleach dispersion by reducing water content to below 5% and optimizing the particle size distribution (Dv0.5 between 2-10 μm, Dv0.9 between 5-20 μm). These parameter changes make the bleach dispersion resistant to temperature fluctuations between 5°C and 60°C while maintaining cleaning effectiveness through controlled particle characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite bleach dispersion system combining finely ground bleach particles with specific surfactants and stabilizers in a low-water matrix. This composite structure prevents phase separation and maintains stability across temperature ranges, resolving the contradiction between cleaning performance and temperature stability.
2Productivity
If bleaching agents are exposed to high temperatures repeatedly, then cleaning effectiveness is maintained, but loss of activity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating stabilizers and optimizing the particle size distribution before the bleach dispersion is exposed to high temperatures during washing cycles. The fine particle size (Dv0.5 between 2-10 μm) and low water content create a stable structure that cushions against thermal degradation, preventing loss of activity while maintaining cleaning effectiveness through multiple dosing cycles.
3Stability of the object's composition
If water content is reduced to below 5%, then stability against phase separation is improved, but formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves stability against phase separation by dramatically changing the water content parameter to below 5% and optimizing particle size parameters (Dv0.5 between 2-10 μm). While this creates formulation challenges, the systematic approach to parameter optimization results in a stable low-water bleach dispersion that maintains homogeneity through multiple temperature cycles.
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 formulation ensures the bleach dispersion remains effective and stable over multiple wash cycles, maintaining its cleaning performance without significant loss of activity, even at high temperatures, and can be stored and used in dishwasher or washing machine storage devices.
Implementation Method 1
15 to 60% by weight of nonionic surfactant of the general formula R1
Implementation Method 2
suspended agents, specifically with 10-45% oxygen bleach
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to cleaning agents with a water content of less than 5 wt. %, comprising a) 10 to 45 wt. % oxygenated bleaching agent, b) 15 to 60 wt..-% organic solvent, c) 15 to 60 wt..-% non-ionic surfactant of general formula R1-CH(OH)CH2O-(AO)w-(A'O)x-(A"O)y-(A"'O)z-R2, in which R1 and R2 independently = straight chain, or branched, saturated or mono- or multi-unsaturated C2-40 alkyl or alkenyl, A, A', A" and A'" independently = -CH2CH2, -CH2CH2-CH2, - CH2-CH(CH3), -CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2, -CH2-CH(CH3)-CH2-, or -CH2-CH(CH2-CH3) and w, x, y and z = 0.5 to 90 where x, y and/or z can also be 0, d) 0.1 to 5 wt..-% suspension agent and dishwasher powder method using said cleaning agent.