MXPA01013161A - Concentrated surfactant blends. - Google Patents

Abstract

Concentrated anionic liquid surfactant compositions containing mixtures of anionic and nonionic surfactants. The concentrated liquid surfactant compositions may be substantially isotropic, non-flammable and have relatively low viscosity.

Description

CONCENTRATED MIXES OF SURFACTANTS 1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to anionic surfactant compositions, and more particularly, to concentrated liquid mixtures of anionic and nonionic surfactants. Specifically, this invention relates to concentrated compositions of liquid surfactants containing anionic and nonionic surfactants which may have relatively low viscosity and / or which may be substantially isotropic. 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED TECHNIQUE Multiple surfactants are often used in detergents formulated for laundry. For example it has been found that anionic surfactants give good performance on the types of polar or particulate dirt and help prevent the redeposition of society. In addition, anionic surfactants can be used to control the viscosity of the formulation. It has been found that non-ionic surfactants give good ^^^ Detergency on non-polar soils, and can be used to impart tolerance to electrolytes or hard water. Typical anionic surfactants used in laundry include, but are not limited to, linear alkylbenzene sulfonate, alkyl sulphates, ether sulfates, secondary alkyl sulphates, α-olefin sulfonate, phosphate esters, sulfosuccinates, isethionates, carboxylates, etc. Most of these surfactants are typically sold in the form of a sodium salt. A common type of anionic surfactant, linear alkylbenzene sulfonate ("LAS") is widely used in commercial cleaning products, due to its effectiveness as a detergent, ease of biodegradation, and relatively low cost. Typically, linear alkylbenzene sulphonates are produced via the sulfonation of linear alkyl benzene intermediates. Linear alkylbenzene is typically manufactured on an industrial scale using one of the three commercial processes that differ from one another mainly by virtue of the catalyst system employed. In this regard, one process employs an aluminum trichloride catalyst, another process more • »,. * 1- ^ l. Y? _,., -. ,, ",,,? , ?? . i i i, | - | It uses a hydrogen fluoride catalyst while the third process uses the solid alkylation catalyst. The three processes result in linear alkylbenzene products with different phenyl isomer distributions. For example, a typical distribution of phenyl isomer for the products of the aluminum trichloride process is about 30% of the 2-phenyl isomer and about 22% of the 3-phenyl isomer. In contrast, a typical phenyl isomer distribution for products of the hydrogen fluoride process is about 20% of the 2-phenyl isomer and about 20% of the 3-phenyl isomer, although the reported values may differ. The product of the aluminum trichloride process, which is relatively high in 2-phenyl isomer content is frequently referred to as linear alkylbenzene with "high 2-phenyl content", while the product of the hydrogen fluoride process, the which is relatively low in the content of the 2-phenyl isomer, is frequently referred to as the linear alkylbenzene with "low 2-phenyl content". It is known that linear alkylbenzene sulfonates show different physical properties depending on the position of the aromatic group on the - -1 *. * .. - ".-- alkyl chain Thus, linear alkylbenzene sulphonates with a high 2-phenyl content have physical properties that differ from linear alkylbenzene sulphonates with a low content of 5-phenyl. For example, linear alkylbenzene sulfonates with a high 2-phenyl content typically have a higher solubility in aqueous media than linear alkylbenzene sulphonates with a low 2-phenyl content.

Aqueous comprising a linear alkylbenzenesulfonate with a high 2-phenyl content may show a higher viscosity than an aqueous solution comprising a linear alkylbenzene sulfonate with a low 2-phenyl content. In cases where the The maximum solubility of the linear alkylbenzene sulfonate in an aqueous detergent formulation is of interest, a product containing a relatively high percentage of compounds in which the aromatic substituent is in the 2 or 3 position and a The correspondingly smaller percentage of isomers in which the aromatic substituent is centrally positioned with respect to the alkyl chain,. Hydrotropes, such as sodium xylene sulfonate, can be added to improve the 25 solubility of linear alkylbenzenesulfonates with low 2-phenyl content. As used herein, the term "hydrotrope" is defined as a compound that has the property of increasing the aqueous solubility of various slightly soluble organic chemicals. In general, anionic surfactants are sold in the form of sodium, potassium or amine salts. Salts tend to be solid materials at room temperature, so they are typically sold as aqueous solutions. Due to the gel phase formation, surfactant concentrations between about 20% and about 40% by weight of the total weight of a surfactant solution are typically employed. Above concentrations of approximately 40% of the active surfactant, anionic surfactant solutions typically form viscous gels or pastes. To reduce the viscosity, solvents such as ethanol or isopropanol can be added. However, such components are volatile organic components ("VOCs") and tend to form flammable mixtures. In a further effort, to form the surfactant compositions, which have higher activities and lower viscosities, various other additives have been conveniently employed, 'f r, - - - -, ^^ m a ^^ m ^ l ^? í ^ í including alkyl polyglycosides and alkali metal chlorides. However, such compositions also include water and amphoteric surfactant, thereby limiting the activity of the surfactant mixture. In other additional cases, compositions that include concentrated laminar types or other types of liquid crystals have been employed. However, such compositions are typically non-isotropic at room temperature and have activities limited to about 70%.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The improved surfactant compositions are described herein. Surprisingly, the concentrated liquid, substantially isotropic and substantially non-flammable liquid surfactant compositions can be formulated from anionic and nonionic surfactants. The liquid surfactant compositions described can be advantageously employed for a number of uses, including the formulation of any detergent surfactant position in which one or more anionic surfactants are present, as a surfactant component. Examples of such compositions ^ üf ^^ include, but are not limited to, heavy duty laundry detergents, herbicide emulsifiers, hard surface cleaners, bathroom cleaners, cleaners for all 5 purposes, laundry detergent, car wash detergents, custodial detergents, light duty liquid detergents, etc. Concentrated liquid mixtures of surfactants, described, may be useful in the formulation of other 10 compositions, which also include, but are not limited to, those used in coating applications, emulsion polymerization, pigment dispersions, wetting agents, and the like. In the compositions described, the mixtures 15 concentrated liquid surfactants containing one or more anionic surfactants can be formulated using one or more nonionic surfactants as a solvent system. In one embodiment, the liquid surfactant compositions described do not contain Substantially water, although water may be present in these embodiments, if so desired. Using this procedure, substantially isotropic liquid surfactant mixtures having relatively low viscosity up to about 25 100% active surfactant content can be surprisingly prepared. Advantageously, such compositions avoid the use of flammable solvents, and reduce the amount of water that must be shipped with a surfactant product. In addition, the described descriptions 5 can be formulated to achieve one or more of these advantageous properties without the use of volatile organic compounds ("VOCs"), and thus can be determined to be substantially free of VOCs or contain substantially no VOCs .

In addition, another embodiment of the disclosed compositions does not substantially contain liquid crystalline substituents, and thus can be described as substantially free of liquid crystals. Still more, another additional embodiment of the compositions 15 described does not contain substantially microemulsion constituents, and thus can be described as substantially free of microemulsion. As used herein, relatively low viscosities include any lower viscosity 20 that a viscosity of a comparable liquid anionic surfactant solution, which does not consist of other additional ingredients (eg, any ingredient other than water and electrolyte), and which lack the described mixtures of surfactants does not 25 ionic and anionic. In one modality, the MßJUlthfil / i? B ». .,. "And y. L- and. »,» .. ^ ja, a ... ^ ... .... aßgHHMItilate liquid, concentrated surfactant compositions described, can be advantageously formulated to have viscosities at 25 ° C less than about 2000 centipoises (cps ), alternatively less than about 1500 cps, alternatively less than about 1000 cps, alternatively less than about 800 cps, alternatively less than 600 cps. In one embodiment alternatively, the viscosity of the described liquid compositions, at 25 ° C, may be in the range of from about 2000 cps to about 5000 cps, alternatively from about 1500 cps to about 2000 cps, alternately from about 1000 cps to about 1500 cps, and alternatively from about 500 cps to about 800 cps. In one aspect, a liquid surfactant composition is described, which includes at least one anionic surfactant and at least one nonionic surfactant. The liquid surfactant composition may have an active surfactant content greater than 40% by weight of the total weight of the composition, it may be substantially isotropic at a temperature of about 25 ° C, and may contain substantially no volatile organic components.

In yet another aspect, a liquid surfactant composition is disclosed that includes at least one anionic surfactant and at least one nonionic surfactant. The anionic surfactant may be at least one alkylbenzenesulfonate, alkyl sulfate, alcohol sulfate, ether sulfate, secondary alkyl sulfate, α-olefin sulfate, phosphate ester, sulfosuccinate, isethionate, carboxylate, or a mixture thereof; and the anionic surfactant may be at least one of nonylphenol ethoxylate, alcohol ethoxylate, EO-PO block copolymer or a mixture thereof. The liquid surfactant composition can have an active surfactant content greater than 40% by weight of the total weight of the composition, it can be substantially isotropic at a temperature of about 25 ° C, it can have a pH greater than about 7, it can have a viscosity less than about 2000 centipoise at 25 ° C, it can be substantially non-flammable, and may contain substantially no volatile organic components. In still another aspect, a method for the preparation of a liquid surfactant composition is described., including the combination of at least one nonionic surfactant with at least one anionic surfactant to solubilize the anionic surfactant, and to form a liquid surfactant composition. The liquid surfactant composition can contain an active surfactant content greater than 40% by weight of the total weight of the composition, can be substantially isotropic at a temperature of about 25 ° C, can be substantially non-flammable, and may contain substantially no components volatile organic DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES As used herein, the indefinite articles "un, uno, una" denote "one, one or more". When the values of the individual active surfactant content are expressed herein for a surfactant composition as a percentage of the surfactant by weight, it refers to the weight of a given surfactant active, expressed as a percentage of the total weight of all the active ingredients surfactants present in the given composition, excluding any non-surfactant components. For those compositions consisting of 100% active surfactant materials, the percentage by weight of a given component expressed as a percentage of the surfactant actives could be the same as the percentage by weight expressed as a percentage of the total weight of the composition. In the following description, Tables 1-12 are referenced with respect to commercial components and specific specimens which may be employed in various compositions in the formulation of the described surfactant compositions. With the benefit of this description it will be understood by those skilled in the art that any of the specific compounds and / or combinations thereof, described in these tables, can be employed to the extent that they are suitable for use in any of the embodiments described herein, whether they are specifically referenced otherwise or not. In the formulation of the described liquid surfactant compositions, one or more nonionic surfactants can be combined with salts and / or acids of anionic surfactants to forge concentrated surfactant compositions. As used herein, the "active surfactant content" of a surfactant composition refers to the total weight percent of the surfactant (anionic, nonionic and cationic) present in a particular composition. The "active detergent content" of a surfactant composition refers to the total weight percent of the surfactants and other active-detergent components such as hydrotropes. A surfactant composition having an active detergent content of greater than 80% is referred to herein as "high active." However, advantages can also be achieved with the compositions described by the provision of substantially isotropic surfactant compositions having active detergent contents less than 80%. As used herein, "isotropic (a)" means a solution that shows no birefringence under a polarized microscope at the specified temperature. In the practice of one embodiment of the method described and disclosed compositions, suitable nonionic surfactants include any nonionic surfactant material which is a liquid at a desired temperature (such as the anticipated temperature of shipping, storage and / or use). For example, suitable nonionic surfactants selected can be liquid at room temperature and include, for example, such surfactants are in liquid form within a temperature range of at least about 10 ° C to about 40 ° C, alternatively less from about 20 ° C to about 30 ° C, and alternatively at least ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ "? JSS? J¡fc about 25 ° C, provided that the individual surfactants may be optionally liquid Temperature values outside these values, too. It will be understood with benefit of this disclosure that the nonionic surfactants which are also liquid at higher temperatures and / or lower than ambient temperatures, or alternatively temperatures these ranges are also suitable. Nonionic surfactants suitable include, but are not limited to, alkylphenol ethoxylates (including nonylphenol ethoxylate), alcohol ethoxylates, ethoxylates, tallow amine and ether-amine block copolymers of ethylene oxide / propylene oxide ( "EO-PO"), EO-PO adducts of alcohol, mixtures thereof, etc. Specific examples include, but are not limited to, nonylphenol ethoxylates such as "SURFONIC N-95MR" (having a molecular weight of about 638) available from Huntsman and linear alcohol ethoxylates such as "SURFONIC L-24-7RM" available of Huntsman, and ethoxylated alkylamines such as Surfonic® T-15 also available from Hui.tsman Corporation. Other specific examples include, but are not limited to, commercially available nonionic surfactants uu ^^^^ b from Huntsman Corporation, Witco, and Stepan, as described below. Specific examples of suitable nonionic surfactants available from Huntsman Corporation include, but are not limited to, the surfactants listed in Table 1.

Table 1 - Examples of Nonionic Surfactants Available from Huntsman ALCOHOL ETOXYLATES Ethoxylated L-Biodegradation, Surfonic® L610- Linear Alcohol 3, Surfonic L108 / 85-5, Surfonic L1270-2, Surfonic L12 / 85-2, Surfonic L12-2.6, Surfonic L12-6, Surfonic L12-8 , Surfonic L24-1.3, Surfonic L24-2, Surfonic L24-3, Surfonic L24-4, Surfonic L24-4.4, Surfonic L-24-5, Surfonic L-24-7, Surfonic L24-9, Surfonic L24-12, Suronic L24-17, Surfonic L24-22, Surfonic L46-7, Surfonic L68-18, Surfonic HF-055 Surfonic ethoxylates, AE-2 Surfonic DA-4, Surfonic Alcohol DA- 6, Surfonic EH-2, Surfonic TDA-3B, Branched Surfonic TDA-6, Surfonic TDA-8, Surfonic • ?? HB ^ li ^ dM ^^^ ¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡! ^^ i.Jfc. ^^ .. ^ k ^ Ata Examples of suitable nonionic surfactants also include products available from Witco. Such products include, for example, the linear ethoxylated alcohols WITCONOL1 * 11, the alkylphenol ethoxylates DESONIC ** 1, the amide ether condensates WITCAMIDE® and VARAMIDE ", and the co-and tallow-amine ethoxylates.

VARÓ IC MR Some specific examples of such surfactants are listed in Table 2. Other nonionic materials include, but are not limited to, alcohol ethoxylates ("AE"), nonylphenol ethoxylates ("NPE"), mono- and diglycerides. ethoxylates, ethoxylated amines, amides, amine oxides and specialty mixtures. rjßSfat? m Table 2 - Examples of Amphoteric and Nonionic Surfactants Available from Witco Specific examples of suitable nonionic surfactants available from Stepan include, but are not limited to, the surfactants listed in Table 3.

Table 3 - Non-ionic surfactant examples available from Stepan «I i i i ?? m ^ á ^^^ ^ ^^^? ^^^^^^^^ á ^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^ t i f ¡fHÜi ^ In one embodiment, a quantity of nonionic surfactants sufficient to solubilize the anionic surfactant can be employed. To achieve the relative lower viscosities, a greater amount of nonionic surfactant by weight than the anionic surfactant can be employed, although this is not necessary to achieve the benefit of the methods and compositions described. For example, in one embodiment a weight ratio of the nonionic surfactant to the anionic surfactant may be in the range of about 10: 1 to about 1:10, alternatively from about 10: 1 to about 5: 1, alternatively of about 1: 1 to about 3: 1, and in a particular mode may be about 3: 1, although proportions outside these given ranges are also possible. In alternative embodiments of the liquid surfactant compositions described, the one or more to?? k? ájk ^^^ nonionic surfactants may be present in an amount of about A% to about B% by weight of the total weight of the surfactant composition, while at the same time the anionic surfactant (s) may be present in an amount of about C% to about D% by weight, of the total weight of the surfactant composition; where for each respective embodiment the value of A can be selected from the range of values from 35 to 79, and a corresponding value of B can be selected from the range of values from 36 to 80 with the proviso that A is less than B for a given modality; and where for each respective embodiment the value of C can be selected from the range of values from 5 to 39, and a corresponding value of D can be selected from the range of values from 6 to 40, with the proviso that C is less than D for a given modality. For example, in a mode where A = 60, D = 80, C = 20 and D = 40, a surfactant composition that includes an amount of one or more nonionic surfactants of from about 60% to about 80% by weight, of the total weight of the composition, and an amount of anionic surfactant of from about 20% to about 40% by weight of the total weight of the composition, could be represented. Similarly, in a modality where A = 35, B = 80, C = 15 and D = 40, a surfactant composition including an amount of one or more nonionic surfactants of from about 35% to about 80% by weight could be represented, of the total weight of the composition, and an amount of anionic surfactant of from about 15% to about 40% by weight, of the total weight of the composition. It will be understood, with benefit of this description, that in any of the modalities given above where the total content of nonionic surfactant and the content of anionic surfactant is less than 100%, that the balance of the surfactant composition can be constituted of other non-surfactant components described elsewhere in the present (eg, water, hydrotrope, etc.). By using possible values of A, B, C and D, the amount of such other components in a surfactant composition can vary from 0 to about 60% by weight of the total weight of the composition. Thus, where the nonionic surfactant content is about 80% by weight of the total weight of the composition, and the content of anionic surfactant is about 15% by weight of the total weight of the composition, then the content of the component non-surfactant - may be about 5% by weight of the total weight of composition. In respective modalities and to the separate materials, the nonionic surfactant or a mixture of nonionic surfactants may be present to solubilize an anionic surfactant or a mixture of anionic surfactants in a surfactant composition, in an amount from about x% to about and% of the active surfactants by weight, where for each respective modality, the value of x can be selected from the range of values from 9 to 90, and a corresponding value of x can be selected from the range of values from 11 to 91, with the condition that x is less than and for a given modality. For example, in a modality where x = 50 and y = 66, a surfactant composition including an amount of one or more nonionic surfactants from about 50% to about 66% of the surfactant active, by weight, could be represented. In such embodiments, the anionic surfactant (s) may constitute the remainder or the balance of the surfactant actives, and the total content of active surfactant (eg, the total content of nonionic surfactants and the content of anionic surfactants) of a composition This surfactant may be as it is expressed later in the present. In one embodiment, suitable anionic surfactants can be characterized as having pKa values less than 7, although anionic surfactants having other pKa values are also suitable. Examples of suitable anionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, straight chain and / or branched alkylbenzene sulphonates, alkyl sulfates, alcohol sulfates, ether sulfates, secondary alkyl sulfates, α-olefin sulfonates, phosphate esters, sulfosuccinates, isethionates, carboxylates, mixtures thereof, etc. Most of these surfactants are typically sold in the form of a sodium salt. In an exemplary embodiment, one or more alkylbenzene sulfonates can be employed as anionic surfactants. In this regard, alkylbenzene sulfonate compounds having varying molecular weights, and variant combination in the location of the phenyl with alkyl chain and in the length of the alkyl chain may be employed. Examples of such compounds can be found in U.S. Patent No. 3,776,962; U.S. Patent No. 5,152,933; U.S. Patent No. 5,167,872; Drazd, Joseph C. and Wilma Gorman, "Formulating Characteristics of High and Low 2-Phenyl Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonates in Liquid Detergents", JAOCS, 65 (3): 398-404, March 1988; Sweeney, W.A. and A.C. Olson, "Performance of Straight-Chain Alkylbenzene Sulfonates (LAS) in Heavy-Duty Detergents"., JAOCS, 41: 815-822, December 1964; Drazd, Joseph C, "An Introduction to Light Duty (Dishwashing) Liquids Part I. Raw Materials", Chemi cal Times & Trends , 29-58, January 1985; Cohen, L. et al., "Influence of 2-phenyl Alkane and Tetralin Content on Solubility and Viscosity of Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate", JAOCS, 72 (1): 115-122, 1995; Smith, Dewey L., "Impact of Composition on the Performance of Sodium Linear Alkylbenzensulfonate (NaLAS)"; JAOCS, 74 (7): 837-845, 1997; van Os, N. M. et al., "Alkylarenesulphonates: The Effect of Chemical Structure on Physico-chemical Properties", Tensi de Surf. Det. , 29 (3): 175-189, 1992; Moreno, A. et al., "Influence of Structure and Counterions on Physicochemical Properties of Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonates", JAOCS, 67 (8): 547-552, August 1990; Matheson, K. Lee and Ted P. Matson, "Effect of Carbon Chain and Phenyl Isomer Distribution on Use Properties of Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate: A Comparison of k "High" and "Low" 2-Phenyl LAS Homologs ", JAOCS, 60 (9): 1693-1698, September 1983, Cox, Michael F. and Dewey L. Smith," Effect of LAB composition on LAS Performance ", INFORM 8 (l): 19-24, January 1997; U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08 / 598,692 filed February 8, 1996, U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09 / 141,660 filed August 28, 1998, and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09 / 143,177 filed August 28, 1998, all of the foregoing references are incorporated by reference herein, in their entirety. , the alkylbenzenesulfonate compounds used according to the compositions described and the methods described, and having the features described herein, include those having a linear alkyl group.The lengths of the linear alkyl chain, typically, are between about 8 and approximately 16 carbon atoms, even larger and smaller lengths are possible. A specific composition of 2-phenyl lower alkylbenzene sulfonate is a sulfonate prepared from a linear alkyl benzene known as ALKYLATE 225RM (commercially available from Huntsman Specialty Chemicals Corporation). Other examples of linear alkylbenzenes suitable for the preparation of linear alkylbenzene sulphonates include, but are not limited to, ALKYLATE 215RM, ALKYLATE 229RM, ALKYLATE H230LRM, and ALKYLATE H230HRM (also available from Huntsman Specialty Chemicals Corporation). Suitable processes for sulfonation of such (linear alkyl) -benzenes, include, but are not limited to, those employing an air sulfonate / S03 or chlorosulfonic acid. Examples of other suitable anionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, alkyl sulfates, ether sulphates, secondary alkyl sulphates, α-olefin sulfonates, xylene sulfonates, alcohol sulfates, phosphate esters, naphthalene sulfonates, sulfosuccinates, isethionates, carboxylates, etc. Specific examples of other suitable anionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, the surfactants listed in Table 4 and available from Huntsman Corporation, Houston, Texas.

Table 4 - Examples of Available Anionic Surfactants from Huntsman Other specific examples of suitable anionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, the surfactants listed in Table 5 available from Witco Corporation, Greenwich, CT.

Table 5 - Examples of Available Anionic Surfactants from Witco Other specific examples of anionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, the surfactants listed in Table 6 and available from Stepan Company.

Table 6 - Examples of Available Anionic Surfactants of Stepan It will be understood, with benefit to this description by those skilled in the art that the above examples of the anionic surfactants are exemplary only, and that the other anionic surfactants that meet the criteria described herein they can also be employees. In the practice of the described method and the compositions, an anionic surfactant (such as alkylbenzene sulfonate) can include any suitable counterion or cation for the neutralization or formation of the salt with the selected anionic surfactant (s). In one embodiment, a counterion or cation is typically ammonium or substituted ammonium. In this regard, a substituted ammonium may include but is not limited to, monoethanol-ammonium, diethanol-ammonium, triethanolammonium, or a mixture thereof. In yet another embodiment, such a counterion or cation may be an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal or a mixture thereof. Examples of alkali metals include but are not limited to, lithium, sodium, potassium, cesium or a mixture thereof. Examples of alkaline earth metals include, but are not limited to, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium or a mixture thereof.

The amounts of the anionic surfactant relative to the nonionic surfactant have been described above. In addition to the nonionic and anionic surfactants, the embodiments of the compositions and surfactants described may also include a wide variety of other optional ingredients if so desired. Such ingredients are also described herein. It will be understood that the previously given proportions of the nonionic to the anionic surfactant are suitable whether or not optional additional ingredients are employed. Thus, compositions with highly active surfactant can be formulated from anionic surfactants or nonionic surfactants in relative amounts as described hereinafter, and with the addition of other optional ingredients, if desired. In cases where additional optional ingredients are present, the activity of a surfactant composition may fall within the ranges of activity described hereinafter. In those cases where additional components are not employed, the active surfactant content of a surfactant composition can advantageously be about 100%.

In one embodiment, the optional detergent enhancement additive (s) may be employed. Examples of such improvers include, but are not limited to, ethoxylated amine surfactants and / or ethoxylated ether-amine surfactants. Additional information on ethoxylated ether amine and ethoxylated amine boosters can be found in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial Number 60 / 115,408 filed January 11, 1999 and entitled "COMPOSITION CONCENTRATED LIQUID DETERGENT"; U.S. Patent Application Serial Number 60 / 139,441 filed June 15, 1999 and entitled "SURFACTANT COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING ALCOXYLATED AMINES"; US Patent Application Serial No. 09 / 479,436 filed January 7, 2000 and entitled "SURFACTANT COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING ALCOXYLATED AMINES"; each of which are incorporated by reference herein. In yet another embodiment, the nonionic surfactants are solid at a desired temperature (such as the anticipated temperature of shipping, storage and / or use). More specifically, non-ionic surfactants, which exist in a solid form at room temperature, may alternatively be used, alternatively within a temperature range of at least about 10 ° C to about 40 ° C, alternatively of at least about 20 ° C. to about 30 ° C and alternatively to about 25 ° C. For example, one or more non-ionic surfactants that exist as a solid at room temperature can be employed by the addition of sufficient liquifier or liquefying compound, such as propylene glycol or polyethylene glycol, to liquefy the material. If so desired, in yet another embodiment the solid anionic surfactant (s) (eg, ether sulfates, etc.) can be dissolved or otherwise mixed with a polar solvent suitable for surfactant solvation (eg, water, etc.) before the combination with other liquids of a liquid surfactant composition (for example, the liquid nonionic surfactant solution, etc.). Examples of suitable liquefying compounds include water-soluble glycols such as polyethylene glycols, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and a mixture of ethylene glycol, or mixtures thereof, etc. Suitable exemplary polyethylene glycol compounds include, but are not limited to, , ~ + tm *, .- "..-.-« "» "," ^ "r" "" - - ----- - - - - '"? it polyethylene glycol compounds having a molecular weight of about 100 and about 1000, alternatively between 200 and about 2000. Specific examples include one or more solubility enhancers of polyethylene glycol having between about 1 and about 20, alternatively between 3 and about 6 ethylene glycol monomers linked by ether linkages. Specific examples of such polyethylene glycol compounds include, but are not limited to, propylene glycol and / or polyethylene glycol products marketed by Huntsman Chemical Corporation under the tradename POGOLMR. In the case of the POGOLRM compounds, the numerical designation indicates the average molecular weight of the polyethylene glycol compounds. Specific examples include, but are not limited to, POGOL 200, POGOL 300, POGOL 400, POGOL 500, POGOL 600, POGOL 900, POGOL 1000, POGOL 1005, POGOL 1450, and POGOL 1457, available from Huntsman Chemical Corporation. In one embodiment, a sufficient amount of liquefying compound is employed to obtain a liquid of relatively low viscosity, (eg, equal to or less than about 1000 centipoise), although larger or smaller amounts are also possible.

In the practice of the disclosed compositions and methods described, a liquefaction compound may be present in an amount of from about 1% to about 20% by weight, of the total weight of the composition, alternately from about 5% to about 10% by weight of the total weight of the composition. Such liquefaction compounds can be employed with solid nonionic surfactants such as Surfonic® N-200 and Surfonic® L46-12, or mixtures thereof. In such compositions, solid nonionic surfactants are typically employed in the same weight ratio relative to the anionic surfactants previously described. For example, the incorporation of approximately 10% by weight of propylene glycol liquifier with anionic surfactant or nonionic surfactant which is solid at room temperature, could result in an active surfactant composition of approximately 90%. In one embodiment, the described compositions of anionic surfactant / nonionic surfactant, the highly active concentrated surfactant compositions can have an active surfactant content greater than 40% by weight of the weight of the total composition, alternatively from about 40% to about 100. %, and alternatively, may be equivalent to each and every one of the individual integers represented between 41% and about 100%, including about 100% by weight of the weight of the total composition. In addition, in other exemplary embodiments, the possible active surfactant content is in the range of the described surfactant compositions which may be represented as from about X% to about Y% by weight of the total composition, wherein X is a number of 41 to 99, and where Y is a number from 42 to 100, with the proviso that for any given combination of X and Y, Y is greater than X. For example, in a modality where X has a value of 45 e And it has a value of 65, the range of active surfactant content of the surfactant composition is from about 45% to about 65%. In other exemplary embodiments, the surfactant compositions described can be formulated to have an active ingredient content greater than 50% by weight of the total composition, alternatively greater than 60% by weight of the total composition, alternatively greater than 70% by weight of the total composition, alternatively greater than 75% by weight of the total composition, alternatively greater than 80% by weight of the total composition of the composition, alternatively greater than 85% by weight of the total composition of the composition, alternatively higher than 80% by weight of the total composition of the composition, alternatively greater than or equal to about 80% by weight of the total composition of the composition; alternatively greater than 85% by weight of the total composition by weight, alternatively greater than 90% by weight of the total composition, alternatively greater than about 95% by weight of the total composition, it being understood that the upper limit of these ranges is 100 % by weight of the total weight of the composition. Advantageously, the described surfactant compositions can also be formulated to be substantially isotropic over a temperature range from about 0 ° C to about 50 ° C, alternatively from about 5 ° C to about 40 ° C, alternatively from about 10 ° C to about 40 ° C, alternatively from about 20 ° C to about 30 ° C, and alternatively at about 25 ° C, it being understood that such a composition can also be substantially isotropic at higher and / or lower temperature values outside these ranges. Such a surfactant composition may also be substantially non-flammable. Such a surfactant composition can also be formulated to be substantially free of VOC (e.g., meaning that it has substantially no volatile organic components), while at the same time possessing these advantageous properties. As used herein, VOCs include, but are not limited to, volatile solvents, ethanol, isopropanol, benzyl alcohol, etc. If so desired, the neutralization of the anionic surfactants in the described surfactant compositions can be achieved by the addition of a basic compound. Examples of such optional neutralizing compounds include, but are not limited to, alkanolamines (e.g., monoethanolamine ("MEA"), diethanolamine ("DEA"), triethanolamine (("TEA"), etc.), alkylamines (e.g. , isopropylamine, 2- (2-aminoethoxy) ethanol (HUNTSMAN "DGA"), etc.), ammonium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and mixtures thereof The amounts of neutralizing compounds can be any suitable amount to completely or partially neutralize an anionic surfactant acid In one embodiment, an amount of neutralizing compound sufficient to neutralize is used from about 75% to about 90%, alternatively about 75% anionic surfactant, although larger or smaller amounts are also possible. In yet another embodiment, the neutralizing compound may be present in a surfactant composition in an amount of from about 0% to about 9% by weight of the weight of the total composition, alternatively in an amount of about 25% by weight of the weight of the total composition, although higher or lower amounts may also be present. When so present, a neutralizing compound can be considered as part of the anionic surfactant content of the surfactant composition. In the formulation of the described surfactant compositions, the anionic and nonionic surfactant components can be combined in any suitable manner to solubilize the anionic surfactant component (s) in the nonionic surfactant component or components, to achieve compositions having surfactant activity values such as is described in the present. For example, in one embodiment, appropriate amounts of one or more non-neutralized anionic surfactants (eg, LAS acid, sour ester of ether sulfate, etc.) and one or more neutralizing agents (e.g., monoethanolamine ("MEA") ), sodium hydroxide, etc.) can be added to a non-ionic surfactant or a mixture of non-ionic surfactants. Once the surfactant mixture thus formed reaches the relatively constant temperature, it can be allowed to cool to form a substantially isotropic composition. In an exemplary embodiment, a concentrated surfactant composition can be formulated by dissolving from about 15% by weight to about 19% by weight of the total weight of the surfactant composition of the tallowamine ethoxylate salt LAS (eg, HUNTSMAN "ALKYLATE 229"), from about 15% to about 19% by weight of the total weight of the surfactant composition of HUNTSMAN" SURFONIC T-15", from about 0.5% by weight to about 5% by weight of the total weight of the surfactant composition of MEA neutralizing compound and from about 18% to about 22% by weight of the total weight of the water-surfactant composition, from about 33% by weight to about 37% by weight of the total surfactant composition of HUNTSMAN "SURFONIC® N-95 and from about 6% by weight to about 10% by weight of the total weight of the surfactant composition of POGOL 300. The components of such mixture can be adjusted s to create a surfactant mixture having desired characteristics, such as activity and / or pH, for example by varying the amount of LAS anionic surfactant relative to the MEA neutralizing compound (e.g., in an embodiment to have a pH from about 7.75 to about 8.75, although higher and lower values are possible). For example, a concentrated surfactant composition known as "SURFONIC HDL-10" from HUNTSMAN CORPORATION can be formulated by dissolving approximately 17.4% by weight of the total weight of the surfactant composition of HUNTSMAN "ALKYLATE 229", approximately 17.4% by weight of the weight total of the surfactant composition of HUNTSMANT "SURFONIC T-15", at approximately 2.4% by weight of the total weight of the surfactant composition of MEA neutralizing compound and approximately 2.4% by weight of the total weight of the water-surfactant composition at approximately 34.8 % by weight of the total surfactant composition of HUNTSMAN "SURFONIC® N-95" about 8% by weight of the total weight of the surfactant composition of POGOL 300, to make a relatively low viscosity, and about 80% of the detergent content mixture active having a pH of about 8.24 (see example 1). In yet another exemplary embodiment, a concentrated surfactant composition can be formulated by dissolving from about 23% by weight to about 27% by weight of the total weight of the surfactant composition, from the salt of MEA to LAS (eg, "ALKYLATE"). 229"), from about 73% by weight to about 77% by weight of the total surfactant composition of HUNTSMAN" SURFONIC® N-95"to make an approximately 100% active mixture. The components of such a mixture can be adjusted to create a surfactant mixture having the desired characteristics, such as activity and / or pH, for example by varying the amount of LAS anionic surfactant in combination to the MEA neutralizing compound used to form the MEA salt of LAS (for example, in a mode to have a pH of about 9.25 to about 10.25, although higher and lower values are possible). For example, a concentrated surfactant composition known as "SURFONIC HDL-30" from HUNTSMAN CORPORATION can be formulated by dissolving approximately 25% by weight of the total weight of the surfactant composition of the LAS MEA salt (e.g., HUNTSMAN "ALKYLATE 229") in about 75% by weight of the total surfactant composition of HUNTSMAN "SURFONIC® N-95" to make a relatively lower viscosity and about 100% of the active surfactant content mixture having a pH of about 9.79 ( see example 2). It will be understood with benefit of this description that the two preceding modalities are only exemplary, and that the activity values, the pH values, the number / identity and / or the amounts of components can be varied if desired, including outside the ranges given above for one or more other parameters, to achieve liquid surfactant compositions of relatively low viscosity, substantially isotropic, having substantially no VOC content. If desired, the alkoxylated amine surfactants can be combined with nonionic surfactants and salts or acids of anionic surfactants for example, to form salts between the ethoxylated amine surfactants and the anionic surfactants. Such salts can be formed, for example, via the exchange of the amine and sodium cations. In an exemplary embodiment, sufficient alkoxylated amine may be employed in conjunction with the neutralization compound, to neutralize about 25% anionic surfactant. A range of alkoxylated amine surfactants can be used to form the salt. Suitable alkoxylated amines include any ethoxylated amines capable of forming a water soluble salt with an anionic surfactant. Examples include primary, secondary and tertiary alkoxylated amines, ethoxylate ether amines, as well as mixtures thereof. When so desired, the alkoxylated amine surfactants can be combined with salts or acids of anionic surfactants to form salts between the ethoxylated amine surfactants and the anionic surfactants. Such salts can be formed, for example, via the exchange of amine and sodium cations. In one embodiment, suitable tertiary alkoxylated amine surfactants consist of a hydrocarbon tail bonded to a nitrogen atom. The nitrogen atom has been alkoxylated to give the tertiary amine. The tertiary amine is capable of subtracting a proton from a strong acid to form a salt. The The following structure illustrates such salt formed between a LAS acid and a tertiary ethoxylated amine: H H- (OCH2CH2) -N U- (CH2CH20) n _? - H R wherein: R = linear or branched alkyl group having from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms; n = total moles of ethoxylation and is from about 2 to about 30; and x = from about 1 to about 29.

In a particular example of this embodiment, an ethoxylated amine may be a tertiary tallowamino ethoxylate in which R = the linear or branched alkyl group having from about 16 to about 18 carbon atoms; n = from about 5 to about 20; and x = from about 4 to about 19. Further examples of suitable ethoxylated tertiary amines include the ethoxylated tertiary amines having some content of propylene oxide or other alkoxide. For example, "R" in the tertiary ethoxylated amine formula given above, may be an alkyl group as defined above or alternatively, a combination of an alkyl group as defined above and an alkoxide group, with the alkyl group being attached to the nitrogen atom. In still another example, "R" in the above tertiary amine formula can be a combination of an alkyl group as defined above and an alkylaryl, with the alkyl group being attached to the nitrogen atom. In still another embodiment, an alkoxylated tertiary amine can be of the above formula, with the exception that one or more ethylene oxide groups x- and / or (nx) can be replaced with one more propylene oxide groups, other groups alkylene oxide, or mixtures thereof. These examples include, but are not limited to, ethoxylated amines of the "SURFONIC®" series available from Huntsman, including but not limited to, T-5, T-10, T-15, T-20, T-2, and T-50, where the numerical suffix indicates the moles of ethoxylation per molecule. Other examples of suitable ethoxylated tertiary amines include, but are not limited to, Varonic T-215 available from Witco Corporation, Greenwich, CT and the available compositions from Akzo Nobel. Other examples of suitable ethoxylated tertiary amines include the ethoxylated tertiary amines having some content of propylene oxide or other alkoxide. For example, "R" in the tertiary amine formula 10 ethoxylated previously given, may be an alkyl group as defined above, or alternatively, a combination of an alkyl group as defined above and an alkoxide group, with the alkyl group being attached to the nitrogen atom. In another example Further, "R" in the above tertiary amine formula can be a combination of an alkyl group as defined above and an alkylaryl, with the alkyl group being attached to the nitrogen atom. In still another embodiment, an alkoxylated tertiary amine may be 20 of the above formula, with the exception that one or more of the ethylene oxide x and / or (n-x) groups can be replaced with one or more propylene oxide groups, other alkylene oxide groups, or mixtures thereof.

Suitable examples, specific for ethoxylated tertiary amines, can also be found in table 7.

Table 7 - Examples of Available Ethoxylated Tertiary Amines from Huntsman As shown in Table 7, specific examples of suitable ethoxylated amines, include, but are not limited to, ethoxylated amines of the "SURFONIC®" series available from Huntsman including, but not limited to, T-2, T-5 , T-10, T-15, T-20 and T-50, where the numerical suffix indicates the moles of ethoxylation per molecule. These tallow-amine ethoxylates are of the type that can be represented by the formula: wherein: R = linear or branched alkyl group having from about 16 to about 18 carbon atoms; n = moles of ethoxylation and is equivalent to the numerical suffix following "T" (for example, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, etc.); and x and (n-x) represent the number of ethylene oxide groups in separate chains on the molecule. Examples of other suitable alkoxylated tertiary amines can be found in Table 8.

Table 8 - Examples of Other Alcoxilated Tertiary Amines Available from Akzo Nobel S / 12 Soyaalkylamine 342/362 Ethoxylated (2) S / 15 Soyaalkylamine 470/495 Ethoxylated (5) S / 20 Soyaalkylamine 685/725 Ethoxylated (1) S / 25 Soyaa1qui1amine 895/955 ethoxylated (15) 18/12 Octadecylamine 350/370 ethoxylated (2) 18/15 Octadecylamine 480/505 ethoxylated (5) 18/20 Octadecylamine 690/730 ethoxylated (10) 18/25 Octadecylamine 900/960 ethoxylated (15) ) 18/60 Octadecylamine 2370/2570 ethoxylated (50) "ETHODUOMEEN" T / 13 N-sebo-1, 3- 220/250 Diamine diaminopropane Ethoxylated ethoxylate (3) T / 20 N-tallow-1,3- 375/405 diathopropane ethoxylate (10) Other examples of suitable, specific, ethoxylated tertiary amines include, but are not limited to, Varonic T-215 available from Witco Corporation, Greenwich, CT and the available Akzo Nobel compositions. Other suitable alkoxylated secondary amines include, but are not limited to, ethoxylated amines having the following formula: *. i. wherein: R linear or branched alkyl group having from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms; x = from about 1 to about 30.

In a particular example of this embodiment, an ethoxylated amine can be a secondary tallowamine ethoxylate in which R = linear or branched alkyl group having from about 16 to about 18 carbon atoms; and x = from about 5 to about 20. In general, secondary amine ethoxylates are present in a small amount in the tertiary amine ethoxylates, and can not be sold separately as commercial products. Other suitable alkoxylated secondary amines, include, but are not limited to, ethoxylated primary amines having the following formula: »UfaM3» -. r, "and ym? .

H2 N- (CHzCH¿0)? - H where x = from about 1 to about 30 In a particular example of this embodiment, a primary ethoxylated amine may be one in which x = from about 2 to about 20. Examples include, but are not limited to, DIGLYCOLAMINERM available from Huntsman (2- (2-aminoethoxy) ethanol ). It will be understood, with benefit of this disclosure, by those skilled in the art that the specific types and molecular weights of the amines can be selected to suit the particular purposes. For example, the relatively shorter chain tertiary amine ethoxylates such as Huntsman T-2 and T-5 can be used to improve the detergency of the mineral oil (eg, motor oil, grease, etc.). relatively longer chain tertiary amine ethoxylates, such as Huntsman T-10 and T-15, can be used to improve the detergency of triglycerides (eg, cooking oils, fats, etc.). The alkoxylated ether amines (such as the ethoxylated ether amine) as surfactants can also be used, and include those having the following formula: wherein: R = linear or branched alkyl group having from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms; n = total moles of ethoxylation and is from about 2 to about 30; x = from about 1 to about 29; e y = 1 to 30.

In a particular example of this embodiment, an ethoxylated amine may be a tertiary-tallow amine ethoxylate in which R = linear or branched alkyl group having from about 12 to ^ fc * k -r? about 14 carbon atoms; n = from about 5 to about 20; x = from about 4 to about 19; ey = 1 to about 20. Specific examples of suitable alkoxylated ether amines (such as ethoxylated ether amines), etc., can be found in Tables 9 and 10. Such amines can be ethoxylated ether, primary amines , secondary or tertiary. Examples include, but are not limited to, ethoxylated ether amines of the "Surfonic PEARM" series available from Huntsman Corporation including, but not limited to, linear ethoxylated polyetheramine "Surfonic PEA-25 ™", wherein the two digits of the suffix number indicate the moles of propoxylation and ethoxylation per molecule respectively. As shown in Table 10, other examples of suitable ethoxylated ether amines include, but are not limited to, E-17-5 available from Tonah Products, Milton, Wl.

Table 9 - Examples of Ethoxylated Ether-Amines Available from Huntsman As shown in Table 9, specific examples of the appropriate ethoxylated ether amines include, but are not limited to, an ethoxylated ether amine from the "SURFONIC®" series available from Huntsman known as "PEA-25", wherein the numerical suffixes indicate the moles of propoxylation and ethoxylation, respectively, per molecule. These ethoxylated amines are of the type that can be represented by the formula: wherein R = linear or branched alkyl group having from about 12 to about 14 carbon atoms; n = total moles of ethoxylation and is equivalent to the second numerical suffix (5 for "PEA-25"); y = total moles of propoxylation and is equivalent to the first numerical suffix (2 for "PEA-25"); and x and (n-x) represent the number of ethylene oxide groups in separate chains of the molecule.

Table 10 - Examples of Ethoxylated Ether-Amines Available from Tomah j? ti J Í.AÜHÍ.-I 1 MLftlL. * UV v. ... d ~ y: .... faith: .. »•. . . .. ... .. t. úsáé s In one embodiment, an amount of the ethoxylated amine and / or the ethoxylated ether amine, sufficient to neutralize the acid functional group of the anionic surfactant, may be employed, although larger or smaller amounts are also possible. Other optional components that may be employed include, but are not limited to, amphoteric surfactants. Amphoteric surfactants are typically supplied in aqueous solution, and therefore, with benefit of this disclosure, those skilled in the art will understand that suitable amounts of amphoteric surfactants can be combined with other surfactants described herein to result in surfactant compositions having the desired active surfactant content, as described herein. Examples of suitable amphoteric surfactants can be found in U.S. Patent No. 5,242,615, which is incorporated by reference herein. Specific examples include, but are not limited to, coco-dimethylbetaine, coco-amidopropyl betaine, coco-aminopropionic acid, etc. Other specific examples include those described herein. In the formulation and practice of the compositions and methods described, a viscosity modifier, suitable to prevent the formation of the gel phase after dilution, may be employed. Examples of suitable modifying compounds include polyethylene glycols, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol and mixtures thereof. Examples of suitable polyethylene glycol compounds include, but are not limited to, polyethylene glycol compounds having a molecular weight of between about 100 and about 1000, alternatively between 200 and about 400. Specific examples include one or more solubility enhancers of polyethylene glycol having between about 1 and about 20, alternatively between about 3 and about 6 ethylene glycol monomers linked by ether linkages. Specific examples of such polyethylene glycol compounds include, but are not limited to, polyethylene glycol products marketed by Huntsman Chemical Corporation under the trade name POGOLMR and POGOL 300. In the case of POGOLRM compounds, the numerical designation indicates the average molecular weight of the polyethylene glycol compounds. In one embodiment, an amount of the viscosity modifying compound, sufficient to obtain a low viscosity liquid, is employed, although smaller or larger amounts are also possible. In yet another embodiment, by employing one or more water-soluble glycols (eg, propylene glycol, one or more water-soluble polyethylene glycols, a mixture thereof, etc.), a surfactant composition can be formulated to exist as a simple or substantially homogeneous liquid phase (without segregation) at approximately 4 ° C (40 ° F) using other components described herein, but substantially without water. In such an embodiment, one or more water-soluble glycols may be present, to substantially prevent separation or segregation of a composition, for example at ambient temperatures. Such a formulation may be less corrosive than aqueous solutions and may allow the shipping of a composition that substantially does not have excessive weight due to the water content. In a particular embodiment, a concentrated surfactant composition can be formulated by mixing together the components listed in Table 11.

Table 11 and > ?? .

* - "SURFONIC N-95" is a nonylphenol ethoxylate available from HUNTSMAN CORPORATION that has 9.5 moles of ethoxylation and the following formula: C9H? 9-C6H4-0- (E0) 9.5-H (where "EO" represents one mole of ethoxylation).

Although a particular combination of components and percentages by weight thereof has been listed in Table 11, it will be understood with benefit from this description that other combinations, other components, as well as other percentages by weight (including outside those ranges) may be employed. listed in table 11), in the practice of the compositions described. Furthermore, although two particular combinations of components are described above, it will be understood, with benefit of the description, that other combinations and other components may be employed in the practice of the compositions described. With benefit of this disclosure, the described surfactant compositions, can be employed for a variety of uses, including in the formulations of other compositions by the addition of other components known to those skilled in the art. As such, the described compositions can also be diluted with one or more solvents, as necessary to suit particular end uses. In other embodiments, the compositions described can achieve reduced shipping weights and / or provide advantageous handling properties (such as, for example, in pumping, spraying, mixing, etc.) with little or no dilution. In addition, the concentrated surfactant compositions described can be used directly with little or no dilution, for example as for use in an industrial laundry facility where the concentrated surfactant composition (which includes up to 100% of the active surfactant content composition) ) is dosed directly to a washing machine.

EXAMPLES The following examples are illustrative and should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention or the claims thereof. 1-1 = «Example 1 - Composition of Highly Active Detergent (80% Active Detergent Content) In this example, a surfactant concentrate is made by mixing together the components listed in Table 12. A concentrated detergent was prepared by dissolving 8% by weight of polyethylene glycol in 34.8% by weight of Surfonic® N-95. For this purpose, 17.4% by weight of Surfonic® T-15, 17.4% by weight of LAS acid, 2.4% by weight of MEA and 20% by weight of water were added. The resulting material was a honey-colored fluid that had an active detergent content of about 80%. The LAS acid used was prepared by sulfonation of "ALKYLATE 229RM". "ALKYLATE 229" is a refined mixture of linear monoalkylbenzene homologs, prepared by alkylation with hydrogen fluoride catalyst and in the range of alkyl chain length between 10 and 14 (average 12.6), and having an average molecular weight between about 250 and about 256. Sulfonation typically increases the molecular weight of a compound by about 80. t-t, i 4. «» "". " Table 12 The physical properties of the mixture are shown in Table 13. The solution was isotropic at room temperature (approximately 25 ° C).

Table 13 ft < TO**. * * * »> M &- "* Advantageously, the mixture can be diluted with water without formation of gel phase. Although an order of addition of components is described above, any other order of addition, suitable for the combination of the components, can be used to form a concentrated, liquid surfactant composition, as described herein. For example, the following sequence of addition of the components can be used: 1) water; 2) hydrotrope "POGOL 300"; 3) SURFONIC N-95 anionic surfactant; 4) LAS "ALKYLATE 229" acid; 5) MEA neutralizing compound; and 6) SURFONIC T-15 anionic surfactant.

Example 2 - 100% Active Surfactant Content Composition In this example, a mixture of concentrated surfactant composition was prepared by dissolving 18.5% by weight of LAS acid, based on "ALKYLATE 229" used in Example 1 in 75% by weight of Surfonic® N-95. The LAS salt was prepared by the addition of 6.5% by weight of MEA. The resulting material was a honey-colored fluid, which had an active surfactant content of 100%, a pH (1%) of 9.79, and a viscosity of 753 cps. Observation of the sample under a polarized microscope showed no birefringence at room temperature (approximately 25 ° C). While the invention may be adaptable to various modifications and alternative forms, the specific embodiments have been shown by way of example and described herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not designed to be limited to the particular forms described. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In addition, the different aspects of the compositions described and the methods described can be used in various combinations and / or independently. Thus, the composition is not limited only to those combinations shown herein, but may include other combinations. It will be understood, with benefit of this description, that in the structures where x and (n-x) are given in the present to represent the number of ethylene oxide groups in separate chains on a molecule, the values of x and n may vary (for example, i AJ j Lt ¿«tut &i;. '. «. Aa *» .... L * * -: u. »-» • »-T - i ^ s - - - f - iffi-? example, within the given ranges), to give a wide range of numerical distributions of ethylene oxide in separate chains of a molecule. However, in one embodiment, n and n-x may be substantially equal (or very close in value), representing a substantially symmetric or normal distribution of the number of ethylene oxide groups between two separate chains of a molecule. ».l. < it? f »» ¿k +, »A

Claims (34)

1. A liquid surfactant composition formed from components, comprising: at least one anionic surfactant; and at least one nonionic surfactant; wherein the liquid surfactant composition has an active surfactant content of between 71% and 100% by weight of the total weight of said composition; wherein the liquid surfactant composition is isotropic at a temperature of about 25 ° C; and wherein the liquid surfactant composition contains no volatile organic components.

2. The liquid surfactant composition according to claim 1, wherein the liquid surfactant composition has an active surfactant content of about 100% by weight of the total weight of the composition.

3. The liquid surfactant composition according to claim 2, wherein the liquid surfactant and the anionic surfactant are combined in a weight ratio of the surfactant not iy! -, - L? 1U J * A..¿U-y ~ «? .. r.y * r.y- - A _? *" »" «-» • »> * rite * - - * * * * ionic to the anionic surfactant from about 1: 1 to about 3: 1.

4. The liquid surfactant composition according to claim 2, wherein the liquid surfactant composition is substantially isotropic over a temperature range from about 0 ° C to about 50 ° C.

5. The liquid surfactant composition according to claim 2, wherein the liquid surfactant composition further comprises water, a water soluble glycol, or a mixture thereof.

6. The liquid surfactant composition according to claim 2, wherein the anionic surfactant comprises at least one alkyl benzene sulfonate, alkyl sulfate, alcohol sulfate, ether sulfate, secondary alkyl sulfate, α-olefin sulfonates, phosphate esters , sulfosuccinates, isethionates, carboxylates, or a mixture thereof.

7. The liquid surfactant composition according to claim 2, wherein the at least one anionic surfactant comprises a salt formed from the acid of a linear alkylbenzenesulfonate and monoethanolamine; and wherein at least one nonionic surfactant comprises nonylphenol ethoxylate.

8. The liquid surfactant composition according to claim 7, wherein the liquid surfactant composition is formed from components comprising the anionic surfactant in an amount from about 23% to about 27% by weight of the total weight of the composition; and the nonionic surfactant in an amount of about 73% to about 77% of the total weight of the composition.

9. The liquid surfactant composition according to claim 2, wherein the nonionic surfactant comprises at least one of non-phenyl ethoxylate, alcohol ethoxylate, block copolymers of EO-PO, or a mixture thereof.

10. The liquid surfactant composition according to claim 2, wherein the Liquid surfactant composition has a viscosity of less than about 2000 centipoise at 25 ° C.

11. A liquid surfactant composition formed from components comprising: at least one anionic surfactant, the anionic surfactant comprises at least one of alkyl benzene sulphonate, alkyl sulfate, alcohol sulfate, ether sulfate, secondary alkyl sulfate, α-olefin sulfonate, phosphate esters, sulfosuccinate, isethionate, carboxylate, or a mixture thereof; and at least one nonionic surfactant, the non-ionic surfactant comprises at least one non-phenyl ethoxylate, 15 alcohol ethoxylate, EO-PO block copolymer, or a mixture thereof; wherein the liquid surfactant composition has an active surfactant content of between 71% and 100% by weight of the total weight of the composition; Wherein the liquid surfactant composition is isotropic at a temperature of about 25 ° C; wherein the liquid surfactant composition has a pH greater than about 7; wherein the surfactant has a lower viscosity of about 2000 centipoise at 25 ° C; Y wherein the liquid surfactant composition is non-flammable and contains non-volatile organic components; and wherein the anionic surfactant comprises a salt formed from an acid of the anionic surfactant and a neutralizing compound, the neutralizing compound comprises at least one of monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, or a mixture thereof.

12. The liquid surfactant composition according to claim 11, further comprising at least one of water, propylene glycol, a water-soluble polyethylene glycol, or a mixture thereof.

13. The liquid surfactant composition according to claim 11, wherein the anionic surfactant comprises a salt formed from an alkylbenzenesulfonate acid and the neutralizing compound.

14. The liquid surfactant composition according to claim 13, wherein the neutralizing compound comprises monoethanolamine.

15. The liquid surfactant composition according to claim 12, wherein the liquid surfactant composition has an active detergent content greater than 80% by weight of the total weight of the composition.

16. The liquid surfactant composition according to claim 14, wherein the liquid surfactant composition has an active surfactant content greater than about 90% by weight of the total weight of the composition.

17. The liquid surfactant composition according to claim 14, wherein the liquid surfactant composition has an active surfactant content of about 100% by weight of the total weight of the composition.

18. The liquid surfactant composition according to claim 11, wherein the liquid surfactant composition is formed from components comprising the nonionic surfactant in an amount from about 60% to about 80% by weight of the total weight of the composition, and the anionic surfactant component in an amount of , - $ k ii. ? * a ».- r * * about 15% to about 40% by weight of the total weight of the composition; and further comprising water in an amount of about 0.03% to about 25% by weight of the total weight of the composition.

19. The liquid surfactant composition according to claim 11, wherein the liquid surfactant composition has a content of 10 active surfactant of about 100% by weight of the total weight of the composition.

20. The liquid surfactant composition according to claim 11, wherein the The neutralizing composition comprises at least one of monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, or a mixture thereof.

21. The liquid surfactant composition according to claim 19, wherein the surfactant composition is formed from the components comprising: the anionic surfactant in an amount of from about 20% to about 40% by weight of the 25 total weight of the surfactant composition, the anionic surfactant comprises the linear alkyl benzenesulfonate salt; and the nonionic surfactant in an amount of about 80% to about 60% by weight of the total weight of the composition.

22. The liquid surfactant composition according to claim 21, wherein the nonionic composition comprises non-phenyl ethoxylate.

23. The liquid surfactant composition according to claim 22, wherein the linear alkyl benzenesulfonate salt is formed from the linear alkylbenzene sulfonate acid and the monoethanolamine.

24. The liquid surfactant composition according to claim 23, wherein the liquid surfactant composition has an active surfactant content of about 100% by weight of the total weight of the composition.

25. The liquid surfactant composition according to claim 24, wherein the liquid surfactant composition is formed from - é Jh: * M * s * »* A *. the components comprising the linear alkyl benzenesulfonate salt in an amount of about 23% to about 27% by weight of the total weight of the surfactant composition; and 5-non-phenyl ethoxylate in an amount of about 73% to about 77% by weight of the total weight of the surfactant composition.

26. A method for the preparation of a liquid surfactant composition, comprising: the combination of at least one nonionic surfactant with at least one anionic surfactant, for solubilizing the anionic surfactant and for forming a liquid surfactant composition having a surfactant content active between 71% and 100% by weight of the total weight of the composition; wherein the liquid surfactant composition is isotropic at a temperature of about 25 ° C; and wherein the liquid surfactant composition is non-flammable and contains no volatile organic components.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the liquid surfactant composition has an active surfactant content of ..,? ^ * »A * 1 ** M - ^^, t,?. * ± A ~. U & ~ t * m. - about 100% by weight of the total weight of the composition.

28. The method of compliance with 5 claim 27, wherein the nonionic surfactant and the anionic surfactant are combined in a weight ratio of nonionic surfactant to anionic surfactant, from about 1: 1 to 3: 1.

29. The method according to claim 27, wherein the anionic surfactant comprises at least one of alkyl benzene sulphonate, alkyl sulfate, alcohol sulfate, ether sulfate, secondary alkyl sulfate, α-olefin sulphonates, esters of phosphate, sulfosuccinate, isethionate, carboxylate, or a mixture thereof; and wherein the nonionic surfactant comprises at least one of non-phenyl ethoxylate, alcohol ethoxylate, block copolymer EO-PO, or a mixture thereof.

30. The method according to claim 27, wherein the anionic surfactant comprises a salt formed from an acid of the anionic surfactant and a neutralizing compound, The neutralizing compound comprises at least one of monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, or a mixture thereof.

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein the nonionic surfactant comprises non-phenol ethoxylate, and wherein the neutralizing compound comprises monoethanolamine.

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein the method comprises the combination of a linear alkyl benzene sulphonate in salt form, in an amount of about 23% to about 27% by weight of the total weight of the surfactant composition, with the ethoxylate of noniphenol in an amount of about 73% to about 77% by weight of the total weight of the surfactant composition.

33. A liquid surfactant composition formed from the components comprising: at least one anionic surfactant in an amount of about 15% to about 40% by weight of the total weight of the composition, the anionic surfactant, comprises at least one of alkyl benzenesulfonate , alkyl sulfate, alcohol sulfate, ether sulfate, secondary alkyl sulfate, alpha-olefin sulfonate, phosphate ester, sulfosuccinate, isethionate, carboxylate or a mixture thereof; and at least one nonionic surfactant in an amount of about 60% to about 80% by weight of the total weight of the composition, the nonionic surfactant comprises at least one of nonylphenol ethoxylate, alcohol ethoxylate, block copolymer, EO- PO, or a mixture thereof; water in an amount from about 0% to about 25% by weight of the total weight of the composition; wherein the liquid surfactant composition has an active surfactant content of between 71% and 100% by weight of the total weight of the composition; wherein the liquid surfactant composition is isotropic at a temperature of about 25 ° C; wherein the liquid surfactant composition has a pH greater than about 7; wherein the surfactant has a viscosity of less than about 2000 centipoise at 25 ° C; and wherein the liquid surfactant composition is non-flammable and contains no volatile organic components.

34. A liquid surfactant composition formed from components comprising: the linear alkyl benzenesulfonate salt in an amount of about 20% to about 40% by weight of the total weight of the surfactant composition; and nonylphenol ethoxylate in an amount of about 80% to about 60% by weight of the total weight of the surfactant composition; wherein the liquid surfactant composition has an active surfactant content of between 71% and 100% by weight of the total weight of the composition; wherein the liquid surfactant composition is isotropic at a temperature at about 25 ° C; wherein the liquid surfactant composition has a pH greater than about 7; wherein the surfactant has a viscosity of less than about 2000 centipoise at 25 ° C; and wherein the liquid surfactant composition is non-flammable and contains no volatile organic components. . - í, *. i