Phosphorus-Free Dishwasher Detergent Composition Using Biodegradable Builders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current environmentally friendly detergent compositions for machine dishwashing using alternative complexing agents like β-alaninediacetic acid and citric acid salts have poor performance compared to phosphate-based builders, especially at higher temperatures and in maintaining pH levels, leading to issues like scaling, filming, and corrosion.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher detergent composition that uses a combination of strong biodegradable builders such as methyl-glycine-diacetic acid and glutamic-N,N-diacetic acid, along with sulfonated polymers and citric acid, to maintain pH neutrality or alkalinity, effectively preventing scale deposition and improving cleaning performance without phosphorus-containing compounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If environmentally friendly biodegradable complexing agents like β-alaninediacetic acid and citric acid salts are used instead of phosphate-based builders, then environmental safety is improved, but complexing action and builder performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple biodegradable complexing agents (β-alaninediacetic acid, isoserinediacetic acid, citric acid salts) in specific proportions to achieve synergistic effects that compensate for the individual weaknesses of each agent, providing reliable complexing action while maintaining environmental safety
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite builder systems comprising mixtures of different biodegradable complexing agents rather than single agents, creating a composite material that delivers performance comparable to phosphate-based builders while being environmentally friendly
2Object-affected harmful factors
If citric acid salts are used as builders in dishwasher detergents, then biodegradability is improved, but builder performance deteriorates especially above 45°C
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the builder system by combining citric acid salts with other biodegradable complexing agents that have different temperature stability profiles, thereby maintaining effective complexing action across a wide temperature range including above 45°C
Solution Approach 2:
The invention assigns different functional roles to different components in the builder mixture, where citric acid salts provide biodegradability and other components compensate for temperature-sensitive performance, creating a system with uniform high performance across all operating conditions
3Reliability
If high pH is maintained in detergent compositions using pH adjusting agents, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but filming and spotting on dishes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the pH parameter of the detergent composition to a moderate range (pH 7-9) rather than high pH, while compensating for cleaning effectiveness through enhanced complexing agents and surfactant systems, thereby eliminating filming and spotting problems associated with high pH
4Duration of action of moving object
If repeated wash cycles are performed at high pH, then cleaning performance is maintained, but glass and machine corrosion and lime-scale build-up increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the pH parameter from high to moderate (pH 7-9), which inherently reduces the corrosive nature of the wash liquor while maintaining cleaning performance through optimized detergent chemistry, thereby preventing glass and machine corrosion and lime-scale build-up over repeated cycles
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 achieves excellent cleaning performance, prevents scale buildup, and is suitable for press-forming into solid bodies, offering improved stability and effectiveness at various temperatures, while being environmentally friendly and phosphorus-free.
Implementation Method 1
methyl-glycine-diacetic acid and/or salts thereof and/or glutamic-N,N-diacetic acid and/or salts thereof in a combined amount of from 0.1 wt% to 65 wt%, preferably from 1 wt% to 30 wt%, more preferably from 2 wt% to 15 wt%
Implementation Method 2
They are used to buffer the wash liquor in a dishwasher above pH 9 together with other chemicals such as disilicate, metasilicates and soda
Implementation Method 3
Phosphates are also able to disperse existing calcium carbonate in the wash liquor to prevent spotting on glasses
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher detergent composition comprising methyl-glycine-diacetic acid, and/or salts thereof; a secondary builder; a bleach; a sulfonated polymer; and one or more enzymes; wherein the composition is provided without phosphorous-containing compound(s), and wherein the bleach is present in an amount from 1 wt% up to 30 wt%.