Mold and Mildew Stain Removing Solution with Low Vapor Pressure Solvent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional mold and mildew stain removing solutions contain high vapor pressure solvents that are unpleasant, emit VOCs, are not biodegradable, and have high pH levels, leading to corrosiveness and environmental concerns, necessitating a more environmentally friendly and safer alternative.
Innovation Solution
A mold and mildew stain removing solution comprising a surfactant, a low vapor pressure solvent, a chelating agent, and additional components such as hydrotropes, preservatives, and fungicides, formulated to be less corrosive, biodegradable, and with reduced VOC emissions, specifically using alcohol ethoxylates, glycol ethers, sodium gluconate, and amine oxides, with a pH range of 9.2 to 9.6.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high vapor pressure solvents are used in mold and mildew stain removing solutions, then the solution can penetrate deep into mold and mildew stains, but the solvents quickly flash off, emit unpleasant odors, release VOCs, and are not biodegradable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the vapor pressure parameter of the solvent from high to low, selecting solvents with vapor pressures less than 10 mmHg at 20°C. This parameter change allows the solution to maintain penetration effectiveness while eliminating the harmful flash-off, odor, and VOC emission characteristics associated with high vapor pressure solvents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite cleaning solution formulation that combines low vapor pressure solvents with specific surfactants, chelating agents, and biocides. This composite approach maintains the effectiveness needed for mold and mildew removal while the low vapor pressure solvent base eliminates the harmful emissions and odor problems.
2Reliability
If high pH solutions are used to remove mold and mildew stains, then the solutions are effective at removing stains, but they can dry out or burn the skin and corrode hard surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter from high (11.0 and higher) to a moderate range (9.2 to 9.6). This parameter adjustment maintains sufficient effectiveness for mold and mildew stain removal while dramatically reducing the harmful effects including skin drying/burning and surface corrosion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces chelating agents as intermediary substances that work with the moderate pH solution to enhance mold and mildew removal effectiveness. The chelating agents bind to metal ions in the mold and mildew structure, making them more susceptible to removal without requiring high pH levels.
3Reliability
If traditional solvents like 2-butoxyethanol are used, then the solutions are effective at removing mold and mildew, but they cause irritation of the nose and eyes, headache and vomiting, and are found at Superfund sites
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful 2-butoxyethanol solvent from the cleaning solution formulation. By taking out this specific harmful substance and replacing it with low vapor pressure alternatives, the patent eliminates the health irritation and environmental contamination issues while maintaining cleaning effectiveness through the combined action of surfactants, chelating agents, and biocides.
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 solution effectively removes mold and mildew stains from various surfaces while minimizing environmental impact and user safety risks, outperforming traditional solutions in effectiveness and compliance with environmental standards.
Implementation Method 1
a surfactant selected from the group consisting of alcohol ethoxylates, alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alpha olefin sulfonates, alkyl phosphates, alkyl amidopropyl betaines, alkyl betaines, amphoacetates, amphoproprionates, amphosulfonates, amine oxides, alkanolamides, sulfosuccinates, and sultaines
Implementation Method 2
a solvent selected from the group consisting of glycol ethers
Implementation Method 3
a chelating agent
Implementation Method 4
additional components such as hydrotropes
Data Source
AI summary
A solution having improved mold and mildew stain removing properties on hard surfaces, that is easier to handle (less corrosive and less malodorous) and that is environmentally friendly. The mold and mildew stain removing solution includes the following components: a surfactant selected from the group consisting of alcohol ethoxylates, alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alpha olefin sulfonates, alkyl phosphates, alkyl amidopropyl betaines, alkyl betaines, amphoacetates, amphoproprionates, amphosulfonates, amine oxides, alkanolamides, sulfosuccinates, and sultaines, a solvent, and at least one chelating agent. The solution may further comprise a hydrotrope, a diluent, a preservative, and/or a fungicide. The surfactant is preferably an alcohol ethoxylate. The hydrotrope is preferably lauramine oxide. The solvent is preferably a glycol ether. The chelating agents are preferably sodium gluconate and a solution of the trisodium salt of methyl glycine diacetic acid.