SAS Surfactant Blend for Low-Temperature Fatty Stain Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing detergent compositions, particularly those containing secondary alkane sulfonate (SAS) surfactants, struggle to effectively remove solid or semi-solid fatty stains, such as beef fat, especially at low temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A detergent composition comprising a combination of secondary alkane sulfonate surfactant with an average of 15 to 18 carbon atoms in a linear alkane chain, a second anionic surfactant, and an alkyl hydroxysultaine cosurfactant, with specific weight ratios and sources from renewable materials, enhances cleaning performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If secondary alkane sulfonate surfactant with C15-C18 chain is used, then cleaning performance on fatty stains is improved, but cleaning efficacy at low temperature deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines secondary alkane sulfonate surfactant (SAS) with a second anionic surfactant and an alkyl hydroxysultaine cosurfactant to create a composite surfactant system. This composite formulation leverages the synergistic effects of different surfactant types to achieve effective cleaning of fatty stains at low temperatures, where individual surfactants fail. The specific combination compensates for the temperature-related performance deficiency while maintaining the ability to handle solid or semi-solid fatty stains.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the carbon chain length parameter of the secondary alkane sulfonate surfactant to specifically C15-C18 range, and adjusts the concentration ratios of different surfactants in the composition. By changing these physical and chemical parameters, the formulation achieves improved micelle formation and surfactant behavior at low temperatures, thereby resolving the temperature-related cleaning efficacy issue while maintaining effectiveness on fatty stains.
2Reliability
If typical anionic and non-ionic surfactants with C12 hydrocarbon chains are used, then cleaning performance is maintained, but availability of green feedstocks deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the hydrocarbon chain length parameter from the typical C12 to C15-C18, and switches the feedstock source parameter to renewable green sources. This parameter change enables the use of sustainable feedstocks while maintaining cleaning performance through the synergistic surfactant combination and optimized chain length for enhanced surfactant properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different chain lengths to different functional components of the detergent system. The C15-C18 chains in the SAS provide enhanced interaction with fatty stains, while the overall surfactant system composition is optimized to maintain general cleaning performance. This local optimization of chain length in specific surfactant components resolves the feedstock availability issue without sacrificing cleaning effectiveness.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If secondary alkane sulfonate surfactant is used, then dependence on hazardous feedstocks is reduced, but cleaning effectiveness on solid fatty stains deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite surfactant system combining secondary alkane sulfonate with a second anionic surfactant and alkyl hydroxysultaine cosurfactant. This composite approach maintains the advantage of using non-hazardous, renewable feedstocks for SAS while compensating for its insufficient effectiveness on solid fatty stains through the synergistic action of the additional surfactant components.
Solution Approach 2:
The alkyl hydroxysultaine cosurfactant acts as an intermediary component that enhances the interaction between the secondary alkane sulfonate surfactant and solid fatty stains. This cosurfactant mediates the cleaning process by improving micelle formation and surfactant-stain interaction, thereby resolving the effectiveness issue while maintaining the benefit of using safe, renewable feedstocks.
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 provides improved cleaning of solid or semi-solid fatty stains at low temperatures, leveraging the synergistic effects of the surfactants and cosurfactant to enhance cleaning efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
Surfactants comprise an oil soluble hydrocarbon chain with a water solubilising group attached to it. Detergent compositions comprise surfactants to remove soils from substrates.
Implementation Method 2
Surfactants comprise an oil soluble hydrocarbon chain with a water solubilising group attached to it. Detergent compositions comprise surfactants to remove soils from substrates.
Implementation Method 3
Surfactants comprise an oil soluble hydrocarbon chain with a water solubilising group attached to it. Detergent compositions comprise surfactants to remove soils from substrates.
Data Source
AI summary
A detergent composition that includes from 1 to 40 wt. % of a secondary alkane sulfonate surfactant with an average of 15 to 18 carbon atoms in a linear alkane chain, from 1 to 40 wt. % of an anionic surfactant other than the secondary alkane sulfonate surfactant, and from 0.01 to 8% of an alkyl hydroxysultaine co-surfactant. Greater than 50 wt. % of the alkyl chain of the secondary alkane sulfonate is C15 to C18 secondary alkane sulfonate.