Polysaccharide Microgel Cleaning Solution for Oil Removal

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for cleaning hard surfaces and soil of oil and petroleum products are inefficient, leading to high reagent consumption and low oil removal efficiency, with the inability to recycle removed oils and surface-active materials, posing ecological safety concerns.

Innovation Solution

A water solution of natural polysaccharide microgels and surface-active agents with a concentration of at least 0.2 g/l, where the ratio of polysaccharide microgels to surface-active agents ranges from 10:1 to 1:10, is used to treat surfaces, allowing for improved oil removal and recycling of both oils and surface-active agents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional cleaning methods (surface-active compounds, oxidizing agents, alkalis, steam treatment, surface burning) are used to clean hard surfaces or soil of oil, then oil removal is achieved, but toxic residues are produced that are hazardous to the environment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoil removal efficiencyVSAvoidtoxic residue
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the cleaning agent by using polysaccharide microgels with specific molecular mass (20,000-200,000 Da) and particle size (50-600 nm) at controlled concentrations (0.1-20 g/l), replacing traditional toxic cleaners with biodegradable polysaccharide-based substances that maintain cleaning effectiveness while eliminating toxic residues

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs polysaccharide microgels that facilitate enhanced oxidation of oil contaminants through their unique gel structure and high surface area, enabling efficient oil breakdown and removal without requiring strong chemical oxidants that leave toxic residues

Inventive Principle:
Principle #38Strong oxidants (Accelerated oxidation)

2Productivity

If conventional cleaning substances are used, then cleaning action is provided, but reagent consumption is high and oil removal efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoil removal efficiencyVSAvoidreagent consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes polysaccharide microgels with a porous gel structure that provides high surface area and multiple active sites for oil adsorption and emulsification, enabling efficient oil removal at low reagent concentrations (0.1-20 g/l) and reducing overall reagent consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite cleaning system by combining polysaccharide microgels with specific concentrations of auxiliary substances, forming a synergistic formulation that enhances oil removal efficiency while minimizing the quantity of each component needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If traditional cleaning approaches are used, then oil is removed from surfaces, but the removed oils and surface-active materials cannot be recycled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidrecyclability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables recovery and recycling of both the polysaccharide microgel cleaning agent and the removed oil contaminants through separation processes, transforming the linear cleaning process into a circular system where materials are recovered and reused, reducing waste and operational costs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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

This approach enhances oil-cleaning efficiency, reduces reagent consumption, and improves ecological safety by enabling the recycling of oils and surface-active agents, making the cleaning process more effective and environmentally safer.

Implementation Method 1

a water solution of natural polysaccharide microgels and surface-active agents

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

surface-active agents with a concentration of at least 0.2 g/l

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurfactant action: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentEP3292919B1Substance for removing oils from soil and hard surfaces, and methods for using said substance
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 BIOMICROGELS UK LTD

AI summary

This group of inventions relates to organic chemistry and can be used for cleaning soil off oils, including petroleum, residual crude, fuel of various kinds, hydrocarbons, liquid fuel, as well as for processing and collecting petroleum, oils, residual crude, fuel of various kinds, hydrocarbon and other petroleum products from hard surfaces, such as inner surfaces of storage tanks for oil or oil products, or from equipment used for extraction, processing or transportation of oil, or equipment used for processing oil products, bore mud, gravel, and sand in storage facilities, and from other hard surfaces.