Solvent Additive Cleaning Formulation for Oily Soil Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cleaning formulations face challenges in effectively removing oily and waxy soils from hard surfaces while being environmentally friendly and non-hazardous, as they often contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and may damage surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning formulation comprising a solvent additive of the formula R1—O-(AO)n—C(═O)—R2, where R1 is C3 to C12 alkyl, AO is an alkylene oxide group, and R2 is C6 to C13 alkyl or alkenyl, with low water solubility, combined with a surfactant and water, to enhance soil removal without being a VOC, derived from renewable sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If known solvent additives with high affinity for oily or waxy soils are used, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but VOC content increases and environmental friendliness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the solvent additive by specifying a particular molecular structure (formula I) with alkylene oxide groups and controlled chain lengths. This structural modification reduces vapor pressure below 0.1 mmHg at 20°C, thereby reducing VOC content while maintaining cleaning effectiveness through the hydrophobic R1 and R2 groups that provide soil affinity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite cleaning formulation combining the novel solvent additive (formula I) with surfactants and water. The surfactant component enhances the solubility and dispersion of the low-VOC solvent additive in aqueous solution, creating a synergistic composite system that achieves effective soil removal without the harmful effects of traditional high-VOC solvents
2Productivity
If solvent additives with high soil removal capability are used, then cleaning performance is improved, but safety and environmental friendliness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the safety and environmental parameters by controlling the vapor pressure of the solvent additive to be less than 0.1 mmHg at 20°C through specific molecular structure design. This parameter change reduces flammability and environmental harm while the hydrophobic character (log P > 2) maintains effective interaction with oily and waxy soils
Solution Approach 2:
The surfactant acts as an intermediary that enables the low-VOC solvent additive to dissolve and disperse effectively in the aqueous cleaning formulation. This intermediary role allows the safe, low-vapor-pressure solvent to deliver its soil-removal capabilities without the safety compromises associated with traditional high-VOC solvents
3Object-affected harmful factors
If biorenewable resources are used to improve environmental friendliness, then sustainability is improved, but VOC content may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the vapor pressure parameter of biorenewable-derived solvent molecules by modifying their structural parameters (adding alkylene oxide groups, controlling chain lengths). This allows biorenewable resources to be used in a way that reduces VOC emissions, as the structured molecules have sufficiently low vapor pressure despite being derived from renewable feedstocks
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 formulation achieves significant Percentage Soil Removal (% S.R.) of oily and waxy soils, improving cleaning efficiency while being environmentally friendly and non-damaging to surfaces, with a % S.R. at least two times greater than formulations without the solvent additive.
Implementation Method 1
the surfactant enables the solvent additive to dissolve and/or disperse in the cleaning formulation
Implementation Method 2
the surfactant enables the solvent additive to dissolve and/or disperse in the cleaning formulation
Implementation Method 3
the surfactant enables the solvent additive to dissolve and/or disperse in the cleaning formulation
Implementation Method 4
cleaning an oily and/or waxy soil from the hard surface using the solvent additive
Implementation Method 5
cleaning an oily and/or waxy soil from the hard surface using the solvent additive
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning formulation has from 10 to 99 wt % water, from 0.8 to 40 wt % surfactant, optionally other additives, and from 0.2 to 20 wt % of a solvent additive of formula (I):R1—O-(AO)n—C(═O)—R2 (I)where R1 is C3 to C12 alkyl, AO is an alkylene oxide group selected from an ethylene oxide group, a propylene oxide group and a butylene oxide group. At least one AO group in the solvent additive is an ethylene oxide group. The solvent additive has a water solubility of less than 1 wt % in deionised water at 20° C. and the surfactant enables the solvent additive to dissolve and/or disperse in the cleaning formulation. In a method of cleaning an oily or waxy soil from a hard surface, the solvent additive is applied to the hard surface and optionally rinsed with water. The solvent additive is used in a cleaning formulation to improve the percentage soil removal.