Maleic Terpolymer Binding Agent for Dimensional Stability in Solid Detergents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solid alkaline detergents face issues with dimensional instability and unpredictability in solidification due to the use of phosphorous-containing compounds, leading to problems like swelling and failure in packaging and dispensing, necessitating the development of phosphorous-free and NTA-free alternatives with improved stability.
Innovation Solution
A solid detergent composition using a maleic-containing terpolymer as a binding agent, combined with sodium carbonate and water, which forms a dimensionally stable solidification matrix that controls the solidification process and excludes phosphorous and NTA, ensuring predictable and stable solid block formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If phosphorous-containing compounds are used in conventional solid alkaline detergents, then solidification control and soil removal are improved, but dimensional stability deteriorates due to swelling and hydrate form shifts
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes phosphorous-containing compounds from the detergent composition, replacing them with a phosphorous-free binding agent system comprising a carboxylate and an aminocarboxylate. This extraction eliminates the harmful effects of phosphorous compounds on dimensional stability while maintaining solidification control through the alternative binding agent mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a composite binding agent system consisting of multiple components: a carboxylate (such as a carbonate salt or organic acetate) combined with an aminocarboxylate. This composite material approach provides synergistic effects where the combination of components achieves both solidification control and dimensional stability that neither component could achieve alone, replacing the single-phosphorous-compound system.
2Reliability
If NTA-containing aminocarboxylate components are used as binding agents, then hardness sequestration is improved, but environmental compatibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes NTA (nitrilotriacetic acid) from the binding agent system, replacing it with alternative aminocarboxylate components that do not have the same environmental persistence and toxicity issues. This extraction maintains the hardness sequestration function while eliminating the environmental harm associated with NTA.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the binding agent by selecting aminocarboxylate components with different molecular structures and properties than NTA. These parameter changes in the binding agent composition maintain the required hardness sequestration capability while improving environmental compatibility through reduced persistence and toxicity.
3Ease of manufacture
If hydrated sodium carbonate materials are used for solidification, then solid block formation is achieved, but dimensional stability deteriorates due to swelling
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a binding agent system comprising a carboxylate and an aminocarboxylate as an intermediary between the hydrated sodium carbonate and the final solid structure. This intermediary controls the interaction between water and the carbonate hydrates, preventing uncontrolled swelling while maintaining solid block formation. The binding agent mediates the solidification process to achieve dimensional stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite solidification system combining hydrated sodium carbonate with a multi-component binding agent system. This composite material approach allows the hydrated carbonate to provide solid block formation while the binding agent components work together to control dimensional stability, preventing the swelling that occurs with hydrated materials alone.
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 maleic-containing terpolymer-based solidification matrix provides a stable and predictable solidification process, preventing swelling and ensuring the solid product maintains its integrity and functionality, making it suitable for various cleaning applications without the use of phosphorous or NTA.
Implementation Method 1
The use of a maleic-containing terpolymer in a solidification matrix... The hydrated solid composition has a growth exponent of less than about 3%
Data Source
AI summary
A solidification matrix includes a maleic-containing terpolymer, sodium carbonate, and water. The maleic-containing terpolymer, sodium carbonate, and water interact to form a hydrate solid. The solidification matrix may be used, for example, in a solid detergent composition.