Biodegradable Graffiti Removal Composition Using Soybean Oil Esters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional graffiti removal compositions often contain toxic and non-biodegradable compounds, posing environmental and health hazards, and are not effective in removing graffiti without damaging surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising alkyl esters of soybean oil fatty acids, aliphatic diesters of dicarboxylic acids, specific ester compounds, and a surfactant, which is non-toxic, biodegradable, and safe for various surfaces, along with a method involving application and rinsing, optionally with urea, to effectively remove graffiti without adverse effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional graffiti removal compositions use toxic compounds like methylene chloride or caustic solutions, then graffiti removal effectiveness is improved, but environmental safety and health hazards worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegraffiti removal effectivenessVSAvoidtoxicity and environmental hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the composition by using biodegradable solvents (C6-C20 carboxylic acid esters) instead of toxic solvents like methylene chloride. This parameter substitution maintains graffiti removal effectiveness while eliminating toxicity and environmental hazards, directly resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite formulation combining multiple biodegradable components: C6-C20 carboxylic acid esters, C3-C20 alkyl lactates, and surfactants. This composite approach achieves synergistic effect where the combination of benign materials produces effective graffiti removal without the harmful properties of individual toxic components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If caustic solutions are used for graffiti removal, then removal effectiveness is improved, but surface damage and corrosiveness worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegraffiti removal effectivenessVSAvoidsurface damage and corrosion

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pH parameter and chemical aggressiveness by using neutral or mild carboxylic acid ester solvents instead of highly alkaline caustic solutions. This parameter modification maintains effective graffiti removal while preventing surface corrosion and damage, resolving the contradiction between removal power and surface safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses biodegradable solvents that break down harmlessly after use, replacing persistent corrosive chemicals. These biodegradable components perform their graffiti removal function and then decompose naturally, preventing long-term surface damage and environmental accumulation, thus resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and surface integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If volatile toxic compounds are used in graffiti removal compositions, then graffiti removal effectiveness is improved, but flammability and environmental persistence worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegraffiti removal effectivenessVSAvoidbiodegradability and environmental persistence

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical stability parameter by selecting C6-C20 carboxylic acid esters and C3-C20 alkyl lactates with controlled biodegradability. These compounds maintain sufficient stability for effective graffiti removal but are designed to biodegrade after use, resolving the contradiction between composition stability for effectiveness and environmental persistence

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs biodegradable solvents that serve their purpose effectively and then break down naturally in the environment. This short-living characteristic ensures the composition remains stable during use for effective graffiti removal but degrades afterward to avoid environmental persistence and accumulation, resolving the contradiction between stability and biodegradability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 is highly effective in removing graffiti from diverse surfaces, including porous and non-porous materials, without leaving residues, and is environmentally friendly, non-flammable, and non-irritant, addressing the hazards of traditional methods.

Implementation Method 1

a surfactant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant action: Surfactant

Implementation Method 2

alkyl esters of one or more soybean oil fatty acids; one or more aliphatic diesters of dicarboxylic acids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS10202514B2Graffiti removal compositions and the use thereof

Publication Date: 2019.02.12 GUARD IT SOLUTIONS PTY LTD

AI summary

The present invention relates to graffiti removal compositions and the use thereof for the removal of graffiti from surfaces. The compositions comprise (i) alkyl esters of one or more soybean oil fatty acids; (ii) one or more aliphatic diesters of dicarboxylic acids; (iii) one or more compounds of the formula R2C(0)OR3, wherein R2 is a C1-C20 alkyl and R3 is C1-C20 alkyl; and (iv) a surfactant.