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Correlation between spray cleaning detergency and dynamic surface tension of nonionic surfactants
Author(s) -
Prieto N. E.,
Lilienthal W.,
Tortorici P. L.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
journal of the american oil chemists' society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.512
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1558-9331
pISSN - 0003-021X
DOI - 10.1007/bf02523441
Subject(s) - surface tension , nonylphenol , chemical engineering , materials science , spray characteristics , cleaning agent , substrate (aquarium) , process (computing) , chemistry , environmental chemistry , spray nozzle , computer science , organic chemistry , mechanical engineering , engineering , thermodynamics , physics , oceanography , nozzle , geology , operating system
The role of temperature and dynamic surface tension (DST) in spray‐cleaning processes in industrial applications was investigated with nonionic surfactants. Relative performance data for various ethoxylates (derived from primary alcohols or nonylphenol) were obtained by a spray‐cleaning method. The spray‐cleaning method was developed to screen and identify optimum surfactants, formulations, and conditions for spray‐cleaning applications. It is introduced here as a means to mimic spray‐cleaning processes by (timed) spraying of a cleaner solution under pressure onto a soiled substrate. Results of this investigation indicated that temperature and DST play major roles in the soil‐removal process. Observed temperature trends are typical of nonionic surfactants’ clouding phenomena. Optimum cleaning was observed at specific temperatures. Also, nonionics with shorter hydrophobes exhibited the best detergency. Spray‐cleaning detergency was compared to the DST because spray cleaning involves a dynamic interfacial process. New interfaces are constantly being created. Results showed that the surfactants with the lowest DST exhibited the best soil removal. This correlation can allow for a fast, cost‐effective means for screening potential candidates and reducing development time for industrial spray‐cleaning applications.