Surfactant Combination for Enhanced Cleaning and Foam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning compositions face challenges in predicting the effects of mixing surfactants due to their chemical variations, leading to instability and high surfactant concentrations, which result in high production costs and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A surfactant combination comprising an amine oxide amphoteric surfactant, a poly(oxyalkylene) alkyl ether sulfate, and an alkyl ethoxy carboxylate is used, allowing for effective cleaning and foam generation with lower total surfactant amounts, reducing costs and environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high surfactant concentrations are used in cleaning compositions, then effective cleaning and high foam are achieved, but production costs increase and environmental impact worsens due to surfactant discharge into drainage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines three specific surfactant types (amine oxide amphoteric surfactant, poly(oxyalkylene) alkyl ether sulfate, and alkyl ethoxy carboxylate) in a synergistic mixture. This combination allows achieving effective cleaning and foam generation at lower total surfactant concentrations compared to using single surfactants or random mixtures, thus reducing both production costs and environmental discharge while maintaining cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the concentration ratios of different surfactant components within the mixture. By carefully controlling the parameters of surfactant composition (specific ratios of amine oxide amphoteric surfactant, poly(oxyalkylene) alkyl ether sulfate, and alkyl ethoxy carboxylate), the formulation achieves enhanced cleaning performance and foam stability at reduced total surfactant levels, addressing both effectiveness and environmental concerns
2Reliability
If different surfactants are mixed in cleaning compositions, then cleaning effectiveness may be improved, but composition stability deteriorates due to unpredictable complexes and precipitates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects specific surfactant components with compatible chemical structures and optimizes their concentration ratios to maintain composition stability. By controlling the parameters of surfactant selection and mixing proportions, the formulation prevents unwanted complexes and precipitates while achieving effective cleaning performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite surfactant system combining amine oxide amphoteric surfactants, poly(oxyalkylene) alkyl ether sulfates, and alkyl ethoxy carboxylates. This composite approach leverages the complementary properties of each surfactant type to achieve both stability and effectiveness, avoiding the pitfalls of random surfactant mixing
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 surfactant combination achieves effective cleaning and foam generation with reduced surfactant usage, lowering production costs and minimizing surfactant discharge into drainage, thereby reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
The effectiveness of surfactant compositions in cleaning may be assessed by the effect of the surfactant on surface tension
Implementation Method 2
Cleaning compositions which produce foam tend to be more effective than those which do not
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning composition comprising a surfactant combination which comprises an amine oxide amphoteric surfactant; a first anionic surfactant comprising a poly(oxyalkylene) alkyl ether sulfate: and a second anionic surfactant comprising an alkyl ethoxy carboxylate. The combination provides increased foaming.