Scale-Reducing Polymer for Automatic Dishwashing Detergents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automatic dishwashing detergents with non-phosphate or low-phosphate compositions face challenges in minimizing the formation of mixed inorganic deposits, which can lead to insoluble visible deposits after drying.
Innovation Solution
A biodegradable polymer composition is developed, primarily composed of (meth)acrylic acid and maleic acid monomers with a lactone end group, used in combination with biodegradable builders like glycine-N,N-diacetic acid and alkali metal citrate, to inhibit scale and deposit formation, while maintaining low phosphorus content and controlled molecular weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If non-phosphate or low-phosphate compositions are used, then environmental friendliness and phosphate content are improved, but mixed inorganic deposit formation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a polymer with specific functional groups (carboxyl, sulfonate, or carbonate) as an intermediary substance that mediates between the non-phosphate builder and the hard water minerals. This polymer acts as a bridge, preventing direct interaction between the builder and calcium/magnesium that would otherwise form insoluble deposits, while still allowing the builder to perform its water softening function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite system combining non-phosphate builders (citrate, carbonate, silicate, disilicate, bicarbonate, or aminocarboxylate) with a specifically designed polymer containing carboxyl, sulfonate, or carbonate groups. This composite material approach allows the system to maintain low phosphate content while the polymer component prevents inorganic deposit formation through its ability to complex with metal ions and interfere with scale crystal growth.
2Reliability
If non-phosphate builders are used to sequester calcium and magnesium, then water softening capability is improved, but insoluble visible deposit formation increases after drying
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer serves as an intermediary that interferes with the interaction between non-phosphate builders and hard water minerals. It complexes with calcium and magnesium ions, preventing them from forming insoluble deposits with the builder anions, while still allowing the builder to maintain water softening capability through its sequestration function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the system by introducing a polymer with specific functional groups (carboxyl, sulfonate, carbonate) that alter the ionic strength, pH, and complexation chemistry of the detergent system. These parameter changes prevent the formation of insoluble deposits while maintaining the water softening action of the non-phosphate builder.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If polymers with carboxyl, sulfonate, or carbonate groups are used, then scale inhibition is improved, but polymer complexity and formulation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies particular parameter ranges for the polymer (molecular weight, degree of substitution, functional group composition) that optimize scale inhibition while controlling formulation complexity. By defining these parameters within specific ranges, the invention makes the polymer synthesis and formulation processes more manageable and reproducible.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention focuses on specific local regions of the polymer structure (carboxyl, sulfonate, or carbonate groups) that are responsible for scale inhibition, rather than requiring complex overall polymer architecture. This localized approach to functionality simplifies polymer design and formulation while maintaining effective scale control.
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 polymer effectively reduces the formation of mixed inorganic deposits, ensuring a spotless and film-free appearance on washed items, even in hard water conditions, with improved performance over existing compositions.
Implementation Method 1
non-phosphate builders, such as salts of citrate, carbonate, silicate, disilicate, bicarbonate, aminocarboxylates and others to sequester calcium and magnesium from hard water
Implementation Method 2
Polymers made from (meth)acrylic acid and maleic acid are known for use in inhibiting the scale or other insoluble deposits produced from non-phosphate builders
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic dishwashing detergent composition having at least two components. The first component is a polymer containing polymerized residues of at least one C3-C6 carboxylic acid monomer and a lactone end group. The second component is a biodegradable builder selected from among nitrilotriacetic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, glycine-N,N-diacetic acid, methylglycine-N,N-diacetic acid, 2-hydroxyethyliminodiacetic acid, glutamic acid-N,N-diacetic acid, 3-hydroxy-2,2'-iminodisuccinate, S,S-ethylenediaminedisuccinate aspartic acid-diacetic acid, N,N'-ethylenediamine disuccinic acid, iminodisuccinic acid, aspartic acid, aspartic acid-N,N-diacetate, beta-alaninediacetic acid, polyaspartic acid, salts thereof and combinations thereof.