Biodegradable Polysaccharide Polymer for Stable Solid Detergent

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional solid detergent compositions face issues with dimensional instability and the need for phosphorous-containing components, which complicates the replacement of phosphates and NTA in institutional and commercial applications, leading to unpredictability in solidification and stability.

Innovation Solution

A dimensionally stable solid detergent composition is developed, incorporating a polysaccharide hybrid polymer composition and a hydratable salt, which is biodegradable and free of phosphorous-containing components, using a combination of polysaccharide residues and ethylenically unsaturated monomers or their salts, along with water, to create a stable solid form suitable for various cleaning applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If conventional hydrate forms (anhydrous, one mole, seven mole, ten mole hydrates) are used in solid detergent compositions, then the product can be manufactured with sodium carbonate, but the hydration state shifts between hydrate forms during storage, resulting in dimensional instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturability of solid detergentVSAvoiddimensional stability of solid block
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by introducing a polysaccharide hybrid polymer composition that interacts with the hydratable salt to stabilize the hydration state. This prevents the spontaneous conversion between different hydrate forms (anhydrous, one mole, seven mole, ten mole hydrates) and maintains consistent dimensions during storage and use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system combining polysaccharide hybrid polymer composition with hydratable salt. This composite structure provides both the desired detergent functionality and dimensional stability, as the polysaccharide component restrains the hydratable salt from undergoing unpredictable hydration state changes while maintaining manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If phosphorous-containing components (phosphates, NTA) are used in solid alkaline detergents, then effective hardness sequestration and soil removal is achieved, but environmental concerns arise and replacement with environmentally friendly substitutes is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehardness sequestration effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental impact of phosphorous compounds
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition by replacing phosphorous-containing compounds with a polysaccharide hybrid polymer composition that provides equivalent hardness sequestration functionality. This substitution maintains cleaning effectiveness while eliminating the environmental harm associated with phosphates and NTA.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs biodegradable polysaccharide materials that naturally decompose after use, replacing persistent phosphorous compounds. The polysaccharide hybrid polymer composition performs its hardness sequestration function during the washing cycle and then breaks down, avoiding long-term environmental accumulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If solid detergent compositions are made without phosphorous-containing components, then environmental friendliness is improved, but the solidification process becomes unpredictable and dimensional stability is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidpredictability of solidification and dimensional stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces the polysaccharide hybrid polymer composition as an intermediary substance that mediates between the hydratable salt and the environment. This intermediary stabilizes the solidification process and maintains dimensional integrity in phosphorous-free formulations, making the solid detergent both environmentally friendly and predictably stable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 provides a stable solid form that maintains dimensional integrity under temperature changes, is biodegradable, and avoids the use of phosphorous-containing compounds, addressing the challenges of stability and environmental concerns in institutional and commercial cleaning.

Implementation Method 1

a dimensionally stable solid detergent composition is developed, incorporating a polysaccharide hybrid polymer composition and a hydratable salt

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydration: Hydrates

Implementation Method 2

the hydration state of the initial product was found to shift between hydrate forms, e.g., one, seven, and ten mole hydrates, resulting in dimensional instability of the block chemicals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentUS9303237B2Biodegradable stability binding agent for a solid detergent
Publication Date: 2016.04.05 ECOLAB USA INC

AI summary

A solid composition includes a polysaccharide hybrid polymer composition and a hydratable salt. In one embodiment, the polysaccharide hybrid polymer composition includes a polysaccharide residue present in an amount from approximately 5% to 90% by weight of the polysaccharide hybrid polymer composition and a residue of at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer present in an amount from approximately 10% to 75% by weight of the polysaccharide hybrid polymer composition.