Solid Detergent Composition Using Chiral Aminopolycarboxylate and Organic Acid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current detergent builders, particularly phosphorus-based ones, face environmental concerns due to eutrophication issues, and there is a need for more environmentally friendly alternatives that are cost-effective and visually appealing, with improved dissolution and dispersion properties.
Innovation Solution
A solid composition comprising 25-88 wt.% non-crystalline chiral aminopolycarboxylate, 10-60 wt.% non-crystalline organic acid, 0.00001-1.0 wt.% colorant, and 0.7-25 wt.% water, where the organic acid is homogenously mixed with the aminopolycarboxylate to prevent crystallization, enhancing translucency and stability, and produced through an evaporation process that allows for thermoplastic behavior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If phosphorus-based builders are used to achieve high cleaning performance, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but environmental harm increases due to eutrophication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing phosphorus-based builders with alternative builders such as carboxymethyl cellulose, starch, or their derivatives. This substitution maintains the builder function (sequestering metal ions) while eliminating the harmful eutrophication effect, thus resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and environmental harm
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs biodegradable builder materials that can be effectively used and then naturally decomposed without long-term environmental persistence. This approach allows high cleaning performance during use while ensuring the materials do not accumulate and cause environmental damage over time
2Object-generated harmful factors
If aminopolycarboxylate solids are used as alternative builders, then environmental friendliness is improved, but hygroscopicity increases causing stability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates composite solid compositions by combining aminopolycarboxylate with other materials such as carboxymethyl cellulose, starch, or their derivatives. This composite approach reduces the hygroscopicity of the aminopolycarboxylate while maintaining its builder functionality, thus improving storage stability without sacrificing environmental friendliness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies specific properties of the builder composition by incorporating materials with different hygroscopic characteristics. The composite structure creates local regions with reduced water absorption, thereby improving overall storage stability while preserving the environmentally friendly nature of the aminopolycarboxylate
3Reliability
If conventional detergent solids are formulated, then functional performance is achieved, but visual appeal is insufficient for market competitiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates colorants into the detergent solid composition, creating visually appealing products with various colors. This does not compromise the functional performance of the detergent ingredients but significantly enhances the visual appeal, making the product more competitive in the market
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 solid composition achieves improved stability, reduced hygroscopicity, and enhanced visual appeal, allowing for the creation of detergent products with increased translucency and cost-effectiveness while minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
removing water from the aqueous solution by evaporation at a temperature of at least 50°C to produce a liquid desiccated mixture
Data Source
AI summary
A solid composition comprising: a) from 25 to 88 wt. % free acid equivalent of non-crystalline chiral aminopolycarboxylate; and b) from 10 to 60 wt. % free acid equivalent of non-crystalline organic acid different from aminopolycarboxylate; and c) from 0.00001 to 1.0 wt. % of colourant, wherein the colourant comprises dye, pigment or a combination thereof, wherein the dye has an extinction coefficient at the maximum absorption in the range of 400 to 700nm of greater than 1000 L mol-1 cm-1; and d) from 0.7 to 25 wt. % of water; wherein the organic acid has an average molecular mass of at most 500 Dalton, the molecular mass being based on the free acid equivalent.