Phosphate-Free Sugar-Based Cleaning Composition for Protein Soil Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional detergents used in warewashing and laundering industries rely on phosphates for effective cleaning, but due to ecological concerns, there is a need for an environmentally friendly alternative that can replace the properties of phosphorous-containing compounds without compromising detergency and anti-redeposition capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning composition comprising a sugar-based protein-removing/anti-redeposition agent, an alkalinity source, and a surfactant component, which is free of phosphates and alkali earth metals, effectively removes protein soils and prevents redeposition on surfaces, maintaining adequate detergency properties within a specific pH range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If phosphates are used in detergents to provide detergency and anti-redeposition properties, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but environmental harm increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes phosphates from the detergent formulation entirely, extracting the harmful component while maintaining the desired cleaning functions through alternative ingredients (sugar-based protein-removing agents, alkalinity sources, and surfactants). This extraction resolves the contradiction by eliminating environmental harm while preserving detergent effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the detergent by replacing phosphate-based compounds with sugar-based agents (1-90% by weight), alkalinity sources (1-80% by weight), and surfactant components (1-10% by weight). This parameter substitution maintains the functional properties needed for detergency and anti-redeposition while eliminating phosphorus content to prevent environmental harm.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If phosphates are replaced to be environmentally friendly, then environmental harm is reduced, but detergency and anti-redeposition capabilities may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multi-functional ingredients that simultaneously provide multiple benefits: sugar-based agents remove protein soils and prevent redeposition, alkalinity sources maintain pH for effective cleaning, and surfactants enhance wetting and emulsification. This multi-functionality ensures that the detergent achieves comprehensive cleaning performance without relying on phosphates, thus resolving the contradiction between environmental friendliness and cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite detergent system combining sugar-based protein-removing agents, alkalinity sources, and surfactant components in specific proportions. This composite formulation synergistically achieves the detergency and anti-redeposition properties traditionally associated with phosphates, while being environmentally friendly. The composite structure allows each component to contribute its specific function, maintaining overall effectiveness without phosphates.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If sugar-based agents are used to remove protein soils, then environmental friendliness is improved, but formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the formulation approach by establishing clear parameter ranges: sugar-based agents at 1-90% by weight, alkalinity sources at 1-80% by weight, and surfactant components at 1-10% by weight. These defined parameters guide the formulation process, making it manageable despite the complexity of combining multiple functional ingredients. The parameter specifications ensure proper balance of functions while maintaining environmental friendliness.
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 a green alternative for removing protein soils and preventing redeposition on various surfaces, including glass, ceramic, and metal, while maintaining effective detergency and being safe for use in multiple industries, without the environmental impact of phosphates.
Implementation Method 1
The protein-removing/anti-redeposition agent includes a sugar... effectively removes protein soils and prevents redeposition on surfaces
Implementation Method 2
A 0.5 to 2.5% solution of the cleaning composition has a pH of between about 10 and about 12.5
Implementation Method 3
The surfactant constitutes up to about 15% by weight of the cleaning composition... Detergency is defined as the ability to wet, emulsify, suspend, penetrate, and dispense soils
Data Source
AI summary
A composition is provided for removing protein soil and preventing redeposition of soils onto a surface. The composition includes between about 1% and about 90% by weight sugar, between about 1% and about 80% by weight alkalinity source and between about 15 and about 10% by weight surfactant composition. The sugar may be a saccharide or a non-saccharide based sugar. The composition is substantially free of phosphorus-containing compounds and includes less than about 0.05% by weight alkali earth metal.