Surfactant Mixture for Hard Surface Degreasing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surfactants, such as alkyl polyglucosides, exhibit unsatisfactory wetting behavior when applied to laundry and excessive foaming upon agitation, necessitating the development of a surfactant with improved wetting and foaming properties for effective hard surface cleaning, particularly degreasing of metal surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A mixture comprising 93 to 97% by weight of compound of general formula (I), 3 to 6.5% by weight of compound of general formula (II), and 0.1 to 0.5% by weight of compound of general formula (III), where R1, R2, R3, and R4 are defined alkyl chains, and G1 is a monosaccharide, is used to create a surfactant with enhanced wetting and foaming capabilities, specifically designed for hard surface cleaning and degreasing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If alkyl polyglucosides are used for cleaning surfaces, then degreasing capability is achieved, but wetting behavior becomes unsatisfactory
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by formulating a surfactant mixture containing multiple different compounds (compound of formula I, compound of formula II, and compound of formula III) in specific weight ratios. This composite surfactant system combines the degreasing capability of alkyl polyglucosides with improved wetting behavior through the synergistic effect of multiple surfactant components, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining reliable degreasing and achieving satisfactory wetting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the composition ratios of different surfactant compounds in the mixture. By adjusting the weight percentages of compound (I) at 93-97%, compound (II) at 3-6.5%, and compound (III) at 0.1-0.5%, the formulation optimizes both wetting behavior and degreasing capability, transforming the performance parameters to achieve the desired balance.
2Ease of operation
If conventional surfactants are used, then cleaning function is provided, but foaming behavior becomes excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully selecting and controlling the foaming characteristics of each surfactant component in the mixture. The specific combination of compound (I), compound (II), and compound (III) at defined weight ratios modifies the overall foaming behavior of the surfactant system, reducing excessive foaming while preserving effective cleaning function.
3Device complexity
If single surfactant compounds are used, then formulation is simple, but wetting and foaming behavior cannot be simultaneously optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by creating a multi-component surfactant formulation where each compound contributes specific properties. The combination of compound (I) at 93-97%, compound (II) at 3-6.5%, and compound (III) at 0.1-0.5% achieves simultaneous optimization of wetting and foaming behavior that cannot be obtained with single compounds, while maintaining practical formulation simplicity through defined ratio ranges.
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 mixture demonstrates excellent wetting and foaming behavior, effectively solubilizing dirt and allowing it to remain in the aqueous medium, while maintaining contact with the surface, thus improving the cleaning efficiency of hard surfaces, including metal surfaces, with a long shelf life when applied as an aqueous formulation.
Implementation Method 1
The surfactant mixture demonstrates excellent wetting and foaming behavior, effectively solubilizing dirt and allowing it to remain in the aqueous medium
Implementation Method 2
the foaming behaviour still can be improved since many of them develop a lot of foam quickly on occasion of agitation
Implementation Method 3
One task is to solubilize the dirt that is supposed to be removed and to keep it in the aqueous medium
Data Source
AI summary
The current invention is directed towards mixtures of compounds, comprising (A) in the range of from 93 to 97% by weight compound of general formula (I) (B) in the range of from 3 to 6.5% by weight compound of general formula (II) (C) in the range of from 0.2 to 0.5% by weight compound of general formula (III) wherein the integers are defined as follows: R1 is —(CH2)nCH3, R2 is —(CH2)n+2CH3, R3 is —(CH2)n+1CH(CH3)2, R4 is —(CH2)n−1CH(CH3)2 G1 selected from monosaccharides with 4 to 6 carbon atoms, x in the range of from 1.1 to 10, n is a number in the range of from 1 to 4.