Solidifying Liquid Nonionic Surfactants via Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Most nonionic surfactants are available only in liquid form, making it difficult to incorporate them into solid cleaning compositions, which limits their concentration and efficacy in solid formulations.
Innovation Solution
The process of solidifying liquid nonionic surfactants using a binder and/or carrier, followed by drying, to create a solidified surfactant composition that can be incorporated into solid cleaning products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If liquid nonionic surfactants are used in solid cleaning compositions, then the active concentration and efficacy are improved, but the difficulty of incorporation and formulation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the physical state of the nonionic surfactant from liquid to solid through controlled drying processes. This phase change enables the surfactant to be incorporated into solid cleaning compositions at high concentrations while maintaining ease of manufacture. The drying process parameters (temperature, time, atmosphere) are optimized to achieve complete water removal and proper solidification.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes phase transitions by converting liquid nonionic surfactants into solid form through the removal of water. This phase transition from liquid to solid state allows the surfactant to be readily incorporated into solid cleaning compositions, resolving the contradiction between achieving high active concentration and maintaining ease of manufacture.
2Reliability
If liquid nonionic surfactants are incorporated into solid formulations, then the efficacy is improved, but the formulation complexity and processing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-solidifying the nonionic surfactant before incorporation into the final cleaning composition formulation. This preliminary transformation into solid form simplifies subsequent formulation steps and reduces processing complexity while maintaining the high efficacy associated with nonionic surfactants.
3Adaptability or versatility
If solidified nonionic surfactant compositions are created, then the applicability in solid cleaning products is improved, but the processing requirements and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes processing parameters including drying temperature, time, and atmospheric conditions to achieve solidification with minimal energy consumption. By carefully controlling these parameters, the invention broadens applicability to various solid cleaning product types while managing energy requirements efficiently.
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 solidified nonionic surfactant compositions maintain similar performance to their liquid counterparts in terms of foam and soil removal properties, enabling their use in higher concentrations and expanding their applicability in solid cleaning products.
Implementation Method 1
solidification of liquid nonionic surfactants utilizing drying device(s)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to solidification of liquid nonionic surfactants with a binder, carrier, or both binder and carrier to form a solidified surfactant composition. In particular, the invention relates to solidification of liquid nonionic surfactants utilizing drying device(s), wherein the feed composition contains at least one liquid nonionic surfactant and the binder, carrier, or binder and carrier to form a solidified surfactant composition. The solidified surfactant compositions can be useful in various cleaning compositions.