Polysaccharide Graft Polymer Scale Control Composition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional detergents used in industries face challenges with hard water scale control, particularly in high alkaline environments, due to environmental and health concerns related to phosphorous-containing compounds like phosphates and EDTA, necessitating an alternative that is environmentally friendly and effective.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning composition comprising a polysaccharide graft polymer composition and 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid (PBTC) is developed, which can be used to control hard water scale accumulation by forming a use solution with specific concentration ranges, suitable for various applications including warewashing and laundry, and is biodegradable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If phosphates, NTA, and EDTA are used in detergents to prevent hard water scale, then scale control effectiveness is improved, but environmental harm increases due to regulations and persistence

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehard water scale control effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental harm and regulatory restrictions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing phosphates, NTA, and EDTA with a novel polymer composition comprising polyacrylic acid and polyaspartic acid in specific ratios (0.1-10% polyaspartic acid and 90-99.9% polyacrylic acid). This parameter change maintains scale control effectiveness while eliminating environmental harm associated with conventional chemicals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite polymer material system combining polyacrylic acid and polyaspartic acid. This composite approach leverages the strengths of both polymers: polyacrylic acid provides excellent scale prevention through chelation, while polyaspartic acid contributes biodegradability and environmental compatibility, resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and environmental harm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If conventional phosphorous-containing compounds are used for scale control, then detergency properties are maintained, but biodegradability and environmental friendliness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetergency propertiesVSAvoidbiodegradability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical stability parameter by introducing biodegradable polyaspartic acid into the polymer system. While maintaining the scale control functionality through polyacrylic acid, the polyaspartic acid component ensures the composition is biodegradable and environmentally friendly, resolving the contradiction between detergency maintenance and biodegradability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If EDTA is used as a non-phosphorous alternative, then environmental persistence is reduced, but government regulation risk increases due to anticipated restrictions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental persistenceVSAvoidregulatory compliance stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the environmental stability parameter by using polyaspartic acid, which is inherently biodegradable and not subject to the same regulatory concerns as EDTA. This parameter change eliminates both environmental persistence issues and anticipated regulatory restrictions, resolving the contradiction between reduced environmental persistence and regulatory compliance stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively prevents hard water scale accumulation and redeposition of soil on surfaces, offering a phosphorus-free and environmentally friendly solution that maintains detergency properties while complying with regulatory requirements.

Implementation Method 1

Phosphates, NTA and EDTA are components commonly used in detergents to remove soils and to sequester metal ions such as calcium, magnesium and iron

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSequestration:

Implementation Method 2

The ability of NTA, EDTA and polyphosphates to remove metal ions facilitates the detergency of the solution by preventing hardness precipitation, assisting in soil removal and/or preventing soil redeposition into the wash solution or wash water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuspension: Suspension

Data Source

PatentUS8679366B2Cleaning composition containing a polysaccharide graft polymer composition and methods of controlling hard water scale

Publication Date: 2014.03.25 ECOLAB USA INC

AI summary

A composition includes a polysaccharide graft polymer composition and 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid. In one embodiment, the polysaccharide graft polymer composition includes a polysaccharide residue present in an amount from approximately 5% to approximately 90% by weight of the polysaccharide graft polymer composition and a residue of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or a combination thereof present in an amount from approximately 10% to approximately 75% by weight of the polysaccharide graft polymer composition.