Sulfo-estolide Salt Selection for Clear Liquid Cleaning Compositions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid cleaning compositions containing sulfo-estolides and alkyl ester sulfonates often form precipitates, which are undesirable and affect the clarity and stability of the compositions, particularly when potassium salts are used, leading to unacceptable settling or suspension of precipitates.
Innovation Solution
Formulating compositions with sodium or lithium sulfo-estolide salts instead of potassium, which are more soluble and prevent the formation of precipitates, ensuring a clear and transparent liquid cleaning composition by maintaining a high percent transmittance of greater than 50 at 570 nanometers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If potassium salts of sulfo-estolides are used in compositions with alkyl ester sulfonates, then viscosity properties are improved, but precipitates form and settle or suspend in the composition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the cation parameter from potassium to sodium or lithium in the sulfo-estolide salt. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by maintaining the desired viscosity properties while eliminating precipitate formation with alkyl ester sulfonates, achieving both low viscosity and compositional stability.
2Reliability
If sodium or lithium sulfo-estolide salts are used instead of potassium, then solubility is improved and precipitates are prevented, but viscosity properties may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the cation parameter to sodium or lithium, which provides superior solubility and stability compared to potassium. The formulation is further optimized by controlling the combined amount of saturated C16 and C18 fatty acid to less than 5% by weight, ensuring that viscosity properties remain acceptable while maintaining high solubility and stability.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the combined amount of saturated C16 and C18 fatty acid is reduced to less than 5% by weight, then precipitate formation is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent sets a specific parameter threshold for the combined amount of saturated C16 and C18 fatty acid at less than 5% by weight (preferably less than 3% or 1%). This clear quantitative guideline simplifies manufacturing by providing a definitive specification that prevents precipitate formation while being straightforward to control during production.
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 use of sodium or lithium sulfo-estolide salts in combination with alkyl ester sulfonates results in a stable, clear, and precipitate-free liquid cleaning composition, enhancing the product's clarity and stability by maintaining high transmittance and preventing unwanted precipitate formation.
Implementation Method 1
They have an unexpected drawback in that they tend to form precipitates when used in compositions that also comprise alkyl ester sulfonates
Implementation Method 2
a percent transmittance of greater than about 50 at 570 nanometers measured in the absence of dyes and opacifiers at 25° C
Data Source
AI summary
Liquid cleaning compositions are described that comprise sulfo-estolide (SE) salts, particular sodium, lithium or ammonium salts of sulfo-estolides, and alkyl ester sulfonates. The liquid cleaning compositions are clear, stable and substantially free of precipitates due to the use of sodium, lithium or ammonium salts of sulfo-estolide rather than a potassium sulfo-estolide salt in the composition. The liquid cleaning compositions also have a total combined amount of saturated C16 and C18 fatty acids of less than about 5% by weight to prevent the formation of precipitates in the composition.