Solid Rinse Aid for High TDS Water Without Metal Corrosion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rinse aid compositions are not environmentally friendly, can corrode metal surfaces, and are ineffective in high total dissolved solids and hard water conditions, while also being high-foaming, which interferes with warewashing machines.
Innovation Solution
A solid rinse aid composition combining a solid acid with short-chain alkylbenzene and alkyl naphthalene sulfonates, such as sodium xylene sulfonate, and a nonionic low foaming surfactant, designed for pressed or extruded solid formation, to create a rinse aid that is biodegradable, non-corrosive, and effective in hard water and high total dissolved solids conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional rinse aids are used, then spotless surfaces can be achieved, but metal surfaces are corroded and environmental friendliness is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the rinse aid by using specific surfactant combinations (anionic surfactants with nonionic surfactants) and controlling pH levels (pH 6.5-8.5) to achieve spotless surfaces while eliminating metal corrosion. This parameter optimization allows the rinse aid to function effectively without harmful side effects
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs composite surfactant systems combining multiple types of surfactants (anionic surfactants such as alkylbenzene sulfonates with nonionic surfactants) to create a synergistic effect that provides both spotless surface results and metal protection, while also incorporating biodegradable components for environmental friendliness
2Manufacturing precision
If high foaming surfactants are used, then spotless surfaces can be achieved, but warewashing machine operation is interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the foaming characteristics by selecting specific surfactant types and concentrations that produce low foam levels. The use of nonionic surfactants in combination with anionic surfactants, along with controlling the cloud point and HLB values, enables the rinse aid to provide spotless surfaces while maintaining low foam that does not interfere with automatic warewashing machine operation
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional rinse aids are used, then spotless surfaces can be achieved, but effectiveness in hard water and high TDS conditions is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses composite surfactant systems that combine anionic surfactants (such as alkylbenzene sulfonates, alpha-olefin sulfonates) with nonionic surfactants. This combination creates a synergistic effect that enhances performance in various water conditions, including hard water and high TDS environments, while still achieving spotless surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes surfactant selection based on their HLB (hydrophile-lipophile balance) values and cloud points to ensure effective performance across different water conditions. The surfactant combination is designed to maintain effectiveness regardless of water hardness or TDS levels, providing consistent spotless results
4Object-affected harmful factors
If biodegradable and environmentally friendly rinse aids are used, then environmental impact is reduced, but performance in high TDS and hard water conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs biodegradable anionic surfactants (such as alkylbenzene sulfonates, alpha-olefin sulfonates) combined with nonionic surfactants to create an environmentally friendly rinse aid that maintains high performance. The composite surfactant system ensures effective operation in hard water and high TDS conditions while being biodegradable and environmentally safe
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 composition provides spotless surfaces without corrosion, effectively handles high total dissolved solids and hard water, and reduces foaming, making it suitable for metal surfaces and warewashing applications.
Implementation Method 1
One theory holds that the surfactant in the rinse agent is absorbed on the surface at temperatures at or above its cloud point, and thereby reduces the solid-liquid interfacial energy and contact angle
Implementation Method 2
the surfactant in the rinse agent is absorbed on the surface at temperatures at or above its cloud point
Data Source
AI summary
The invention includes a solid rinse aid that is particularly designed for pressed or extrusion solid formation and which is effective for spotless surfaces after rinsing, especially rinsing metals without corrosion. According to the invention, a solid acid is combined with a short-chain alkylbenzene and alkyl naphthalene sulfonate. The short-chain alkylbenzene and alkyl naphthalene sulfonate act as a solidification agent as well as a hydrotrope, and total dissolved solid (TDS) active and are combined with at least one nonionic low foaming surfactant.