Self-Structuring Surfactant System for Stable Liquid Detergent
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Structured heavy-duty liquid detergent compositions are prone to phase separation and precipitation under high shear conditions, leading to stability issues and consumer perception of poor quality, and existing solutions requiring external structurants complicate manufacturing and increase costs.
Innovation Solution
A self-structuring surfactant system comprising C8-C22 linear alkyl benzene sulfonates and branched nonionic surfactants forms a tightly packed lamellar structure, providing stability and good shear thinning properties without external structurants, allowing for a simple batch-mixing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If external structurants such as hydrogenated castor oil (HCO) are used to form structured phase and suspend water-immiscible or water-insoluble ingredients, then the detergent composition can suspend water-immiscible materials or water-insoluble particles, but the composition undergoes phase separation under high shear conditions during manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a self-structuring surfactant system that automatically forms structured phases without requiring external structurants like HCO. The surfactants (specifically alkyl polyglucosides combined with other surfactants) self-assemble into structured phases that provide both suspension capability and shear stability, eliminating the need for separate structurant components and avoiding the phase separation issues associated with external structurants.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite surfactant system combining multiple surfactant types (alkyl polyglucosides with chain lengths C8-C22, and combinations with other surfactants like alkyl ethoxylates or fatty acid salts) that work synergistically to form structured phases. This composite approach provides both the suspension capability for water-immiscible materials and the stability under high shear conditions that single-component systems cannot achieve.
2Stability of the object's composition
If external structurants are incorporated into HDL detergent compositions, then the composition exhibits structured phase formation, but a separate premix unit is needed resulting in additional capital investment and manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The self-structuring surfactant system performs the structuring function inherently through its molecular properties and self-assembly behavior. When mixed with water and other detergent components, the surfactants automatically form structured phases (such as micellar or lamellar structures) without requiring external structurant additives or specialized premixing equipment. This simplifies the manufacturing process to standard batch-mixing operations.
3Ease of operation
If HDL detergent compositions containing external structurants are pumped through pipelines under high shear conditions, then the composition flows through manufacturing pipelines, but the composition undergoes phase separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the unique rheological properties of the self-structuring surfactant system that exhibit shear-thinning behavior. The structured phases formed by the surfactants maintain stability under high shear conditions during pipeline transport, unlike conventional HDL compositions with external structurants. The specific combination of surfactants creates a system where the structured phase morphology is maintained even under the mechanical stress of pumping, preventing phase separation while ensuring adequate flow characteristics.
4Stability of the object's composition
If external structurants such as HCO are used in HDL products, then the composition can form structured phase, but the products have a non-homogenous appearance due to phase separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a carefully balanced composite surfactant system where alkyl polyglucosides (with specific chain lengths C8-C22) are combined with complementary surfactants. This composite formulation creates uniformly distributed structured phases throughout the detergent composition, maintaining visual homogeneity. The specific molecular structures and ratios of the surfactants ensure that the structured phases form a consistent, homogeneous appearance without the non-uniform phase separation characteristic of products containing external structurants like HCO.
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 surfactant system effectively suspends water-immiscible materials, maintains phase stability under high shear, and exhibits desired viscosity ratios, enabling efficient pipeline flow during manufacturing while maintaining product quality and appearance.
Implementation Method 1
The self-structuring surfactant system of the present invention is capable of forming tightly or closely packed lamella structure to suspend water-immiscible materials or water-insoluble particles
Implementation Method 2
A self-structuring surfactant system comprising C8-C22 linear alkyl benzene sulfonates and branched nonionic surfactants forms a tightly packed lamellar structure
Implementation Method 3
such a liquid detergent composition exhibits good shear thinning properties while maintaining stability under high shear
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A self-structuring surfactant system and a stable liquid detergent composition containing the same are provided. Without using external structurants, the liquid detergent composition exhibits good shear thinning properties while maintaining stability under high shear. The liquid detergent composition comprises a linear alkyl benzene sulfonate, and a branched nonionic surfactant which is a branched alkoxylated alkyl alcohol.