Rhamnolipid Biosurfactant Viscosity Control in Cleaning Fluids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluid cleaning compositions often have low viscosity, which consumers perceive as inadequate for cleaning, and existing methods to improve viscosity are limited in effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating rhamnolipid biosurfactant into fluid cleaning compositions at a pH range of 4 to 5.5, with a preference for at least 70 wt.% di-rhamnolipid, to enhance viscosity, particularly in laundry and dishwash liquids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional viscosity modifiers are used to increase viscosity, then viscosity improves, but the composition may lack cleaning efficacy or have poor rheology
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the surfactant system by introducing rhamnolipid biosurfactants with specific molecular structures (containing rhamnose sugar units and fatty acid chains) and controlling pH levels (4-5.5), which fundamentally alters the rheological properties to achieve both high viscosity and maintained cleaning efficacy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite surfactant system combining rhamnolipid biosurfactants with other surfactants (anionic, nonionic, amphoteric) in specific ratios, where the synergistic interaction between different surfactant types produces both thickening effect and effective cleaning performance
2Stability of the object's composition
If rhamnolipid biosurfactant is added to increase viscosity, then viscosity improves significantly, but the formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rhamnolipid biosurfactant serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a viscosity modifier, a surfactant for cleaning, and a rheology controller, eliminating the need for separate thickening agents and simplifying the overall formulation
Solution Approach 2:
By optimizing the pH range (4-5.5) and rhamnolipid concentration (1-50 wt%), the patent achieves maximum viscosity enhancement with minimal formulation adjustments, reducing complexity through parameter optimization rather than adding multiple components
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 addition of rhamnolipid biosurfactant significantly increases the viscosity of fluid cleaning compositions, achieving pour viscosities between 300-650 Cps for laundry liquids and 800-3500 Cps for hand dishwash liquids, thereby addressing consumer concerns about thickness and cleaning efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
rhamnolipid biosurfactant which is present at a level in the range of from 1 to 95 wt.% of the total surfactant in said surfactant system
Implementation Method 2
The fluid cleaning composition comprises from 5 to 70 wt.% of a surfactant system... at least one anionic or nonionic surfactant and a rhamnolipid biosurfactant
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a fluid cleaning composition comprising a) from 5 to 70 wt.% of a surfactant system comprising: (i) at least one anionic or nonionic surfactant; and (ii) a rhamnolipid biosurfactant which is present at a level in the range of from 1 to 95 wt.% of the total surfactant in said surfactant system; and (b) water; wherein the composition has a pH of from 4 to 5.75; wherein the composition comprises from 0.5 to 10 wt.% of an amphoteric/zwitterionic surfactant, said surfactant being counted as part of the surfactant system; and, wherein the composition comprises a non-ionic surfactant, wherein the non- ionic surfactant is an alcohol ethoxylate; the invention further provides the use of a rhamnolipid biosurfactant to increase the viscosity of a fluid cleaning composition at a pH of 4 to 5.75, preferably from 4.5 to 5.5.