Neutral-pH Dishwasher Detergent for Protein-Oil Soil Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dishwashers struggle to effectively wash complex soils containing animal protein and vegetable liquid oil in a short time without using strong alkaline detergents, which pose handling risks and environmental concerns.
Innovation Solution
A detergent composition for automatic dishwashers comprising an inorganic reducing agent with an oxidation-reduction potential of +71 mV or less and a nonionic surfactant, with a specific mass ratio and pH, is used to cleave disulfide bonds in protein structures and enhance emulsifying power, allowing effective washing at neutrality to weak alkalinity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If strong alkaline detergents are used to remove protein-containing soil, then washing effectiveness is improved, but handling difficulty and environmental impact worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the detergent by using reducing agents with specific oxidation-reduction potentials (+71 mV or less) instead of strong alkaline substances. This parameter substitution allows effective protein soil removal through disulfide bond cleavage while maintaining the detergent in a safer, environmentally friendly pH range of 6-11.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the chemical mechanism of strong alkaline detergents (high pH) with a different chemical mechanism based on redox reactions. The reducing agent component (a) cleaves disulfide bonds in protein structures through reduction, substituting the mechanical/chemical action of high pH for a more selective and safer chemical action.
2Reliability
If washing time is extended to remove stubborn soil, then washing effectiveness is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The reducing agent component (a) performs preliminary chemical action on the protein-containing soil by cleaving disulfide bonds before the main washing process. This preliminary breakdown of the protein structure's cross-links makes the soil more susceptible to removal during the subsequent washing steps, enabling effective cleaning within the designed short time frame of 40-180 seconds.
Solution Approach 2:
The reducing agent acts as an intermediary substance that facilitates the removal of stubborn protein soil. By first reducing and breaking down the disulfide bonds in the protein structure, it creates intermediate products that are easier to remove by the surfactant and other washing components, thereby enabling effective cleaning without extending the washing time.
3Reliability
If reducing agent content is increased to improve protein soil removal, then washing effectiveness is improved, but gas generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention precisely controls the oxidation-reduction potential parameter of the reducing agent, specifying that it must be +71 mV or less. This parameter constraint ensures that the reducing agent is effective at cleaving disulfide bonds in protein structures while being gentle enough to minimize unwanted side reactions that would generate gas, thus balancing effectiveness with environmental friendliness.
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 composition enables efficient removal of complex soils containing animal protein and vegetable liquid oil, even in short washing times, reducing chemical risks and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
component (a): an inorganic reducing agent with an oxidation-reduction potential of +71 mV or less
Implementation Method 2
component (b): a nonionic surfactant
Data Source
AI summary
A detergent composition for automatic dishwashers and a method for washing tableware is described. The detergent composition contains component (a): an inorganic reducing agent with an oxidation-reduction potential of +71 mV or less; and component (b): a nonionic surfactant; and water. A mass ratio of the component (a) to the component (b), (a)/(b), is 0.3 to 4.5, and a pH of the detergent composition at 25° C. is 6 to 11. The detergent composition is effective for washing complex soil containing animal protein and lipid and containing vegetable liquid oil even if a liquid property is in the region of neutrality to weak alkalinity.