Solid Degreaser Tablet Composition for PPE-Free Rapid Dissolution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solid cleaning compositions face challenges in achieving rapid dissolution into liquid use solutions while maintaining high surfactant concentration and cleaning performance, and they often require personal protective equipment (PPE) due to hydroxide alkalinity.

Innovation Solution

The development of solid cleaning compositions that utilize non-hydroxide alkali metal alkalinity sources, acids, and specific surfactants, including amphoteric and nonionic surfactants, to achieve rapid dissolution (less than 20 minutes) into stable ready-to-use formulations without the need for PPE, using alkali metal carbonates, bicarbonates, and silicates, along with water conditioning agents like aminocarboxylic and polycarboxylic acids.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If solid cleaning compositions use traditional hydroxide alkalinity sources, then cleaning performance is improved, but safety requirements worsen (PPE required)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidsafety requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameter of the alkalinity source from hydroxide (highly caustic) to carbonate/bicarbonate (milder), maintaining the necessary alkalinity for cleaning while reducing the harmful effects that require PPE. This parameter substitution resolves the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If solid cleaning compositions are highly concentrated, then surfactant concentration is improved, but dissolution rate worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurfactant concentrationVSAvoiddissolution rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameter of the solid composition from dense, slow-dissolving tablets to low-density, high-surface-area extruded solids. This structural parameter change enables rapid dissolution while maintaining high surfactant concentration, resolving the contradiction between concentration and dissolution speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If liquid cleaning formulations are used, then dissolution is immediate, but storage and transportation stability worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedissolution speedVSAvoidstorage stability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses phase transition by converting the cleaning composition from liquid form to solid extruded form. The solid phase provides storage and transportation stability, while the specific solid structure (high surface area, low density) ensures rapid dissolution when water is added, resolving the contradiction between dissolution speed and storage stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

4Productivity

If solid compositions dissolve rapidly, then productivity is improved, but formulation stability worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedissolution speedVSAvoidformulation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes multiple formulation parameters simultaneously: using carbonate/bicarbonate alkalinity sources instead of hydroxides, selecting specific surfactants with optimal HLB values, and creating extruded solid structures. These parameter changes work together to achieve both rapid dissolution and formulation stability, resolving the contradiction between productivity and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 compositions provide stable, PPE-free cleaning solutions with equivalent or superior cleaning performance, achieving rapid dissolution and maintaining surfactant concentration, suitable for hard surfaces and multi-use applications.

Implementation Method 1

solid cleaning compositions that utilize non-hydroxide alkali metal alkalinity sources, acids, and specific surfactants, including amphoteric and nonionic surfactants, to achieve rapid dissolution (less than 20 minutes) into stable ready-to-use formulations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

The solid cleaning compositions include an effective amount of an acid to aid as a dissolution aid for the solid composition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS12486474B2PPE-free tablet degreaser and multipurpose cleaner

Publication Date: 2025.12.02 ECOLAB USA INC

AI summary

Solid cleaning compositions that are safe for contact without the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and have optimal dissolution rate and degreasing performance. In particular, the solid cleaning compositions include a non-hydroxide alkali metal alkalinity source(s), acid(s), water conditioning agent(s), a cleaning surfactant comprising an amphoteric, anionic and/or nonionic surfactant(s) and/or a coating surfactant comprising a nonionic surfactant(s) to provide the optimal dissolution and performance while being PPE-free are disclosed. Methods of providing concentrate and/or use solutions of the solid cleaning compositions and methods of use thereof are also disclosed.