Rhamnolipid Biosurfactant Viscosity Control in Cleaning Formulations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluid cleaning compositions, particularly laundry liquid detergents, face a challenge in maintaining adequate viscosity due to the inclusion of cleaning polymers like alkoxylated polyamines and polyester-based soil release polymers, which can reduce viscosity and lead to a perception of inadequate cleaning.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a rhamnolipid biosurfactant along with a betaine surfactant at a pH range of 4 to 5.5 to enhance the viscosity of the composition, reducing the need for additional thickening polymers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If cleaning polymers (alkoxylated polyamines and polyester-based soil release polymers) are included in fluid cleaning compositions, then weight efficient cleaning is improved, but viscosity of the composition is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the pH parameter of the composition to a specific range (4.0-5.5) to optimize the interaction between rhamnolipid biosurfactant and cleaning polymers, achieving enhanced viscosity without compromising cleaning efficiency. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by creating optimal conditions where both cleaning performance and rheological properties are improved simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite surfactant system combining rhamnolipid biosurfactant with conventional surfactants (anionic, nonionic, and/or amphoteric) in specific ratios. This composite approach allows the beneficial viscosity-enhancing effects of rhamnolipid to complement the cleaning polymers, resolving the viscosity reduction issue while maintaining weight efficient cleaning performance
2Stress or pressure
If thickening polymer (HASE polymer) is included to improve viscosity, then rheology is improved, but device complexity and formulation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and utilizes the natural viscosity-enhancing properties of rhamnolipid biosurfactant, eliminating the need to add separate thickening polymers like HASE. This extraction of the thickening function from the polymer component and its integration into the surfactant system simplifies the overall formulation while maintaining improved rheology
Solution Approach 2:
The rhamnolipid biosurfactant performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides surfactant activity for cleaning, enhances viscosity, and improves rheological properties. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate thickening agents, reducing formulation complexity while achieving the desired viscosity improvement
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 combination of rhamnolipid biosurfactant and betaine surfactant effectively increases the viscosity of fluid cleaning compositions, providing improved rheology and perceived cleaning efficacy without requiring additional thickening agents.
Implementation Method 1
a surfactant combination comprising a rhamnolipid biosurfactant and a zwitterionic surfactant to increase the viscosity of a fluid cleaning composition
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; (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; (iii) from 0.5 to 10 wt.% of a zwiterrionic surfactant; and (b) water; and (c) from 0.1 to 15 wt.% of a polymer selected from the group consisting of: an alkoxylated polyamine, a polyester soil release polymer and mixtures thereof; wherein the composition has a pH of from 3 to 6; the invention further provides the use of a surfactant combination comprising a rhamnolipid biosurfactant and a zwitterionic surfactant to increase the viscosity of a fluid cleaning composition at a pH of 3 to 6.