Polysaccharide Hybrid Polymer Scale Control

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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 phosphates and chelating agents like NTA and EDTA, necessitating an alternative that is environmentally friendly and effective.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning composition comprising a polysaccharide hybrid polymer composition and 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid (PBTC) is developed, which can be used to control hard water scale accumulation and prevent soil redeposition on surfaces, suitable for various applications including warewashing, laundry, and water treatment, while being biodegradable and free of phosphorous-containing components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If phosphates, NTA, and EDTA are used in detergents to sequester metal ions and prevent hard water scale, then the ability to remove metal ions and prevent hardness precipitation is improved, but environmental and health concerns arise due to regulatory restrictions and environmental persistence

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehard water scale controlVSAvoidenvironmental and health concerns

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameters by using alternative compounds (polyacrylate polymers and phosphonates) that have different environmental properties compared to conventional phosphates and chelating agents, while maintaining the scale control function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite cleaning compositions combining polyacrylate polymers with phosphonate compounds to achieve effective hard water scale control without the environmental drawbacks of traditional phosphates and chelating agents

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If conventional detergents containing phosphates and chelating agents are used, then effective metal ion sequestration and soil removal are achieved, but the compositions contain phosphorous-containing components that are subject to government regulations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetergency performanceVSAvoidregulatory compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention modifies the chemical composition parameters by eliminating phosphorous-containing components and using alternative polymers and phosphonates that provide similar detergency performance without regulatory restrictions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If NTA and EDTA are used to prevent hardness precipitation and assist in soil removal, then the detergency of the solution is improved, but these non-biodegradable aminocarboxylates are believed to face future government regulations due to environmental persistence

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoil removal capabilityVSAvoidenvironmental persistence

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the biodegradability parameter by using polyacrylate polymers and phosphonates that are more environmentally friendly and less persistent in the environment, while maintaining effective soil removal capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses biodegradable alternatives that break down in the environment rather than persisting long-term, analogous to using disposable items that degrade naturally instead of permanent materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 controls hard water scale and prevents soil redeposition, maintaining detergency properties in alkaline environments, and is compatible with chlorine, offering a regulatory-compliant and sustainable solution for industrial and commercial use.

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

When calcium, magnesium and iron salts precipitate, the crystals may attach to the surface being cleaned and cause undesirable effects

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPrecipitation prevention: Precipitation

Implementation Method 3

If calcium carbonate precipitates and attaches onto the surface of fabric, the crystals may leave the fabric feeling hard and rough to the touch

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrystal growth control: Crystallisation

Data Source

PatentUS8636918B2Cleaning composition containing a polysaccharide hybrid polymer composition and methods of controlling hard water scale

Publication Date: 2014.01.28 ECOLAB USA INC

AI summary

A composition includes an anionic polysaccharide hybrid polymer composition and 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid. In one embodiment, the polysaccharide hybrid polymer composition includes a polysaccharide residue present in an amount from approximately 5% to approximately 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 approximately 75% by weight of the polysaccharide hybrid polymer composition.