Self-Structuring Surfactant System for Shear-Stable Liquid Detergents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Structured heavy-duty liquid detergent compositions are prone to phase separation and precipitation under high shear conditions, leading to instability and a perceived decrease in quality, and existing solutions using external structurants like hydrogenated castor oil are sensitive to shear and require additional processing steps.
Innovation Solution
A self-structuring surfactant system comprising amine oxide and anionic surfactants, such as linear alkyl benzene sulfonates, forms a tightly packed lamellar structure to suspend water-immiscible materials without external structurants, maintaining stability under high shear and exhibiting good shear-thinning properties for easy pipeline flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If external structurants like hydrogenated castor oil are used to form structured phase and suspend water-immiscible materials, then the detergent composition exhibits higher viscosity and improved suspension capability, but the composition becomes sensitive to high shear conditions and requires additional premix units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs self-structuring surfactants that automatically form structured phases and suspend water-immiscible materials without requiring external structurants like hydrogenated castor oil. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for separate premix units and simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining suspension stability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes external structurants from the formulation, relying solely on the self-structuring capability of the surfactant system. This extraction of unnecessary components reduces manufacturing complexity and eliminates the need for additional processing equipment
2Stability of the object's composition
If external structurants are used to create structured phase, then the detergent composition achieves higher viscosity, but it phase separates under high shear conditions during manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular parameters of the surfactants to create self-structuring surfactants with specific hydrophobic and hydrophilic chain lengths and structures. These parameter changes enable the surfactants to form stable structured phases that maintain integrity under high shear conditions, achieving both high viscosity and shear stability
3Stability of the object's composition
If the detergent composition is designed to have high viscosity for consumer perception of quality, then it appears more concentrated, but it becomes difficult to pump through pipelines under high shear
Solution Approach 1:
The self-structuring surfactant system creates a dynamic viscosity structure that adapts to shear conditions. At rest or low shear, the composition maintains high viscosity for quality perception and suspension. Under high shear during pumping, the structured phase temporarily breaks down, reducing viscosity and improving flowability, then re-forms when shear is removed
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 while maintaining stability and flowability, eliminating the need for external structurants and separate premix units, thus enhancing manufacturing efficiency and consumer perception of product quality.
Implementation Method 1
a self-structuring surfactant system comprising: a) from 1% to 10%, by weight of the liquid detergent composition, of an amine oxide surfactant... b) from 5% to 30%, by weight of the liquid detergent composition, of a first anionic surfactant... wherein the surfactant system forms a self-structured phase
Implementation Method 2
the surfactant system forms a self-structured phase... exhibits good shear thinning properties... maintains stability under high shear
Implementation Method 3
exhibits good shear thinning properties... maintaining stability under high shear... exhibits good shear thinning properties for easy pipeline flow
Data Source
AI summary
A stable liquid detergent composition containing a self-structuring surfactant system, where without using external structurants, the liquid detergent composition exhibits good shear thinning properties while maintaining stability under high shear. A liquid detergent composition that includes a linear alkyl benzene sulfonate, an amine oxide surfactant and little or no alkoxylated alkyl sulfate and unalkoxylated alkyl sulfate.