MGDA GLDA Aqueous Complexing Agent Formulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aqueous solutions of complexing agents like methylglycine diacetic acid (MGDA) and glutamic acid diacetic acid (GLDA) face issues with stability, viscosity, and precipitation, especially at lower temperatures, which affect their use in concentrated forms for industrial applications such as laundry detergents and automatic dishwashing formulations, leading to increased transportation costs and potential clogging.
Innovation Solution
Development of aqueous formulations containing a combination of partially neutralized MGDA and GLDA, along with optional polyamines and alkali metal salts of organic acids, within specific weight ratios and pH ranges, to create stable, highly concentrated solutions with improved viscosity and clarity, avoiding the need for additives that might negatively impact the complexing agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If highly concentrated aqueous solutions of MGDA and GLDA are used, then transportation costs are reduced and formulation efficiency is improved, but precipitation occurs at lower temperatures leading to incrustations and impurities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines MGDA and GLDA in a specific weight ratio range (10:1 to 1:10) within a single aqueous formulation. This merging of two complexing agents creates a synergistic effect where the combination stabilizes the solution at lower temperatures while maintaining high concentration, preventing precipitation that would occur with either agent alone at such high concentrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the compositional parameters by establishing specific weight ratio ranges between MGDA and GLDA (from 10:1 to 1:10) and controlling the total content within 40-60% of the formulation. These parameter changes optimize the solution's stability across temperature ranges while maintaining high concentration for efficient transportation and formulation.
2Quantity of substance
If aqueous solutions of MGDA are made extremely concentrated, then transportation efficiency is improved, but viscosity becomes extremely low causing splashing during processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges MGDA with GLDA in a controlled weight ratio (10:1 to 1:10), where GLDA contributes to increasing the viscosity while MGDA maintains the high concentration. This combination allows the solution to achieve both high concentration for transportation efficiency and adequate viscosity to prevent splashing during processing operations.
3Quantity of substance
If aqueous solutions of GLDA are made highly concentrated at ambient temperature, then concentration efficiency is improved, but viscosity becomes high making processing difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the compositional parameters by introducing MGDA into the GLDA-based concentrated solution, adjusting the weight ratio within 10:1 to 1:10. This parameter adjustment dilutes the viscosity effect of concentrated GLDA while maintaining the high overall concentration, making the solution easier to process while preserving concentration efficiency.
4Device complexity
If simple combinations of GLDA and MGDA are used, then formulation simplicity is maintained, but the viscosity problem is not solved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent refines the simple combination of GLDA and MGDA by establishing specific weight ratio ranges (10:1 to 1:10) and total content parameters (40-60%). These parameter changes optimize the viscosity characteristics while maintaining formulation simplicity, achieving the right balance between concentration and processability without requiring complex additional additives.
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 resulting solutions are stable at temperatures from 0 to 50°C, exhibit improved viscosity, and are clear and transparent, allowing for efficient transportation and use without precipitation, reducing costs and operational issues.
Implementation Method 1
Complexing agents such as methyl glycine diacetic acid (MGDA) and glutamic acid diacetic acid (GLDA) and their respective alkali metal salts are useful sequestrants for alkaline earth metal ions such as Ca2+ and Mg2+
Implementation Method 2
About 40% by weight solutions of MGDA and even 45% by weight solutions of GLDA can be made and stored at room temperature, local or temporarily colder solutions may lead to precipitation of the respective complexing agent
Implementation Method 3
Aqueous solutions according to the invention are stable at temperatures from zero to 50° C. and exhibit improved viscosity
Data Source
AI summary
Aqueous formulation with a content of (A) and (B) in the range of 40% to 60%, containing(A) a complexing agent selected from methylglycine diacetic acid (MGDA) that is at least partially neutralized with alkali metal, and at least one complexing agent other than MGDA selected from(B) glutamic acid diacetic acid (GLDA) that is at least partially neutralized with alkali metal, and, optionally,(C) a polymer being selected from polyamines, the N atoms being partially or fully substituted with CH2COOH groups, partially or fully neutralized with alkali metal cations, and, optionally,(D) at least one alkali metal salt of an organic acid, said acid being selected from mono- and dicarboxylic acids,wherein the weight ratio of complexing agent (A) to complexing agent (B) is in the range of from 10:1 to 1:10.