Modified Polyaspartic Acids for Biodegradable Scale Inhibition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current polymers made from monomers containing carboxyl groups, obtained by radical polymerization, are not biodegradable and lack flexibility in molecular weight and structure adjustment, making them unsuitable for specific applications and environmentally challenging.

Innovation Solution

A process for producing modified polyaspartic acids through polycondensation of aspartic acid with carboxyl-containing compounds and diamines or amino alcohols, followed by hydrolysis and optional acidification, allowing for adjustable molecular weight and biodegradability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If polymers made from monomers containing carboxyl groups are used through radical polymerization, then deposit inhibition and dispersing effects are achieved, but biodegradability is lost and environmental compatibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeposit inhibition effectVSAvoidbiodegradability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using aspartic acid (a natural amino acid) as the primary monomer instead of synthetic acrylic acid, and controls the molecular weight between 2000-5000 g/mol. This parameter change maintains the polymer's deposit inhibition and dispersing effects while improving biodegradability and environmental compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite polymer structure by copolymerizing aspartic acid with other monomers (such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, or itaconic acid) in specific ratios. This composite approach allows the polymer to maintain the effective deposit inhibition properties of conventional polymers while incorporating biodegradable aspartic acid units that improve environmental breakdown.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional polyaspartic acid production methods are used, then biodegradability is achieved, but flexibility in molecular weight and structure adjustment is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebiodegradabilityVSAvoidmolecular weight adjustment flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic control over polymer synthesis parameters, allowing molecular weight to be adjusted between 2000-5000 g/mol and composition ratios to be varied according to specific application requirements. This dynamic adjustment capability enables optimization for different uses (dishwashing, laundry, water treatment) while maintaining biodegradability through aspartic acid-based composition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent systematically varies synthesis parameters including monomer ratios, molecular weight, and degree of neutralization to create polyaspartic acid derivatives tailored for specific applications. This parameter optimization maintains biodegradability while achieving the flexibility needed for different commercial applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If polyaspartic acid is produced with fixed molecular weights (2000-3000 or 5000-6000 g/mol), then production simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to specific application requirements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction process simplicityVSAvoidapplication-specific optimization

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes controlled parameter ranges (molecular weight 2000-5000 g/mol, specific monomer composition ratios) that balance manufacturing simplicity with application-specific performance. These optimized parameters allow standard production processes to generate polymers suitable for multiple applications including dishwashing detergents, laundry detergents, and water treatment, eliminating the need for completely separate production lines for different applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 modified polyaspartic acids exhibit excellent dispersing and deposit inhibition properties, making them suitable for use in cleaning and detergent compositions while being environmentally friendly.

Implementation Method 1

they act as incrustation inhibitors, i.e. they inhibit the undesirable deposition of insoluble inorganic salts (e.g. insoluble carbonates and silicates) on the textile fabric

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeposit inhibition:

Implementation Method 2

these polymers are also used in water-conducting systems as an agent for preventing mineral deposits such as calcium and magnesium sulfate, magnesium hydroxide, calcium and barium sulfate and calcium phosphate on heat transfer surfaces or in pipelines

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScale inhibition:

Data Source

PatentEP3046948B1Modified polyaspartic acids, their preparation and their use as dispersion agent and scale inhibitors in washing, rinsing and cleaning compositions and in water treatment

Publication Date: 2018.11.14 BASF SE

AI summary

The present invention relates to methods for producing modified polyaspartic acids, modified polyaspartic acids produced by said methods, and compositions containing said modified polyaspartic acids. Such compositions are in particular cleaning product compositions, dishwashing detergent compositions and laundry detergent compositions.