Polyacrylate Cellulose Ether Synergy for Low-Temp Soil Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laundry detergents are ineffective in removing oily soil and grease at low temperatures, which is a challenge for energy-efficient washing conditions, and existing soil-release agents are either not suitable for consumer use or incompatible with typical laundry detergent formulations.
Innovation Solution
A synergistic mixture of a polyacrylate polymer and a water-soluble modified cellulose ether, specifically hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, is used in a laundry detergent formulation to enhance soil release from fabrics at low temperatures, with a molar ratio between 1:10 and 10:1 and a polyacrylate polymer comprising 90-100% units derived from acrylic acid and up to 10% units from C3-C8 monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids, effective in temperatures between 15°C and 50°C.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If very hot wash conditions (60-90°C) are used to remove oily soil, then soil removal effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the washing system by introducing a synergistic mixture of polycarboxylate polymer and modified cellulose ether that enables effective soil removal at lower temperatures (15-50°C), thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite formulation combining polycarboxylate polymer and modified cellulose ether in specific ratios to achieve enhanced soil release properties at low temperatures, allowing energy-efficient washing without sacrificing cleaning performance
2Reliability
If polycarboxylate polymer is used in acidic solution (pH < 3) to achieve soil release, then non-permanent soil-release characteristics are improved, but compatibility with laundry detergent formulations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the pH parameter from acidic (pH < 3) to alkaline (pH > 8.5) conditions, making the polycarboxylate polymer compatible with standard laundry detergent formulations while maintaining effective soil-release characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The modified cellulose ether acts as an intermediary that bridges the polycarboxylate polymer and the detergent formulation, enabling the polymer to function effectively in alkaline conditions without requiring mineral acids
3Use of energy by moving object
If low temperature wash conditions (1-50°C) are used to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but oily soil removal effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The synergistic mixture of polycarboxylate polymer and modified cellulose ether creates a composite cleaning system that overcomes the limitations of low-temperature washing by providing enhanced oil and grease removal through the combined action of both components
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical environment by introducing specific polymers and cellulose derivatives that modify the interfacial properties between soil and fabric, enabling effective oily soil removal at low temperatures without requiring high thermal energy
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 mixture effectively promotes soil release from both natural and synthetic fabrics, demonstrating significant synergy in removing various types of stains, including oil and grease, at low temperatures, as evidenced by high Delta E values indicating substantial color difference and stain removal.
Implementation Method 1
a synergistic mixture of a polyacrylate polymer and a modified cellulose ether in domestic laundry conditions
Implementation Method 2
Method of promoting soil release from fabrics
Implementation Method 3
oily soil would have been removed using very hot (typically 60oC-90oC) wash conditions
Implementation Method 4
laundry formulations containing a variety of additives including, but not limited to, dispersants
Data Source
AI summary
A synergistic mixture for promoting soil release from fabric, under laundry washing conditions, which comprises a polyacrylate polymer and at least one water soluble modified cellulose ether. The polyacrylate polymer comprises: (i) 90 - 100 weight % of polymerized units derived from acrylic acid and (ii) up to 10 weight % of polymerized units derived from one or more C3-C8 monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids, based on the total weight of said polyacrylate polymer. A laundry formulation is also provided which contains the synergistic mixture in an amount of up to 2 weight %, based on the total weight of the laundry formulation. Also provided are methods of promoting soil release from soiled fabric which involve contacting the soiled fabric with an aqueous solution comprising the above-described inventive synergistic mixture or with the above-described laundry formulation.