Nonionic Surfactant Blend for Low-Temperature Grease Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current washing and cleaning agents face challenges in effectively removing grease-containing soils, especially at low washing temperatures, which reduces their cleaning performance.
Innovation Solution
A washing or cleaning agent comprising a combination of two nonionic surfactants, one with a branched hydrocarbon radical and a lower degree of alkoxylation, and another with an unbranched or branched hydrocarbon radical and a higher degree of alkoxylation, enhancing cleaning performance on grease-containing soils even at low temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If washing temperature is reduced to save energy, then energy consumption decreases, but cleaning performance on grease-containing soils deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the cleaning agent by using a specific combination of two nonionic surfactants with different alkoxylation degrees. This allows the system to maintain effective cleaning performance on grease-containing soils at low temperatures (20-40°C) without requiring high energy input, thus resolving the contradiction between energy savings and cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a composite surfactant system comprising two nonionic surfactants with complementary properties: one with lower alkoxylation degree (x=1-3, y=1) and another with higher alkoxylation degree (x=5-9, y=0-1). This composite approach synergistically enhances cleaning performance at low temperatures, enabling energy-efficient washing while maintaining reliable grease removal
2Device complexity
If conventional single surfactant formulations are used, then formulation simplicity is maintained, but cleaning performance on grease-containing soils is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges two nonionic surfactants with different molecular characteristics into a single cleaning formulation. The first surfactant (with x=1-3, y=1) provides grease solubility, while the second surfactant (with x=5-9, y=0-1) enhances micelle formation and stability. This combination delivers superior cleaning performance on grease-containing soils compared to single surfactant systems
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by assigning different functional roles to each surfactant component based on its specific molecular structure. The lower-alkoxylated surfactant targets grease dissolution, while the higher-alkoxylated surfactant optimizes for low-temperature performance and micellar stability, creating a synergistic system that outperforms conventional formulations
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 combination of specific nonionic surfactants significantly improves cleaning performance on grease-containing soils, particularly at low washing temperatures, such as 20 °C, as demonstrated by increased reflectance units in stain removal tests.
Implementation Method 1
a washing, cleaning or pretreatment agent comprising (a) 1 to 60% by weight of a first nonionic surfactant of the formula R-O-[EO]x-[PO]y-H
Implementation Method 2
the cleaning performance of a washing, cleaning or pretreatment agent, in particular on grease-containing dirt, can be increased
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a washing, cleaning or pre-treatment agent with increased cleaning power, said washing, cleaning or pre-treatment agent containing two different, non-ionic surfactants of formula R-O-[EO]x-[PO]y-OH, and the first non-ionic surfactant having a lower degree of ethoxylation than the second non-ionic surfactant.