RXSOL Acid Thickener Manufacturing Formulation
100 KG Pilot Batch
Formulation A – Acid-Compatible Surfactant Thickener Concentrate
This is an experimental formulation based on an acid-compatible cationic surfactant and non-ionic co-surfactant system. It is not a verified commercial RXSOL formula.
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Raw Material
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Percentage
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Quantity for 100 kg
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Cetrimonium Chloride (CTAC, 30% Active)
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45.0%
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45.0 kg
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Lauryl Dimethyl Amine Oxide (30% Active)
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25.0%
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25.0 kg
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C12–15 Alcohol Ethoxylate (7 EO)
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5.0%
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5.0 kg
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Propylene Glycol
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5.0%
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5.0 kg
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Demineralized Water
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20.0%
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20.0 kg
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Total
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100%
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100 kg
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Estimated surfactant active matter: Approximately 26%, assuming the alcohol ethoxylate is 100% active.
Function of Each Ingredient
Cetrimonium Chloride (CTAC)
A cationic surfactant that can participate in viscosity development in selected acidic surfactant systems. Its performance depends on the formulation and counterion environment.
Lauryl Dimethyl Amine Oxide
A surfactant that becomes predominantly protonated under strongly acidic conditions. It may contribute to wetting and viscosity development when paired with compatible surfactants.
C12–15 Alcohol Ethoxylate
Provides additional wetting and helps improve the distribution of cleaning solution across contaminated surfaces.
Propylene Glycol
Acts as a coupling solvent and formulation aid.
Demineralized Water
Serves as the carrier for the liquid concentrate.
Manufacturing Procedure – 100 KG
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Charge approximately 15 kg of demineralized water into a clean, compatible mixing vessel.
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Start slow to moderate agitation.
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Add propylene glycol and mix until uniform.
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Slowly add CTAC 30% while maintaining agitation.
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Add lauryl dimethyl amine oxide gradually.
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Add the alcohol ethoxylate and continue mixing until homogeneous.
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Add the remaining demineralized water to achieve a total batch weight of 100 kg.
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Mix until uniform and allow entrained air to dissipate.
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Check appearance, viscosity, specific gravity and phase stability.
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Package in compatible, labelled containers.
Processing temperature: Preferably 20–35°C, subject to raw-material handling requirements.
Do not add concentrated hydrochloric acid during the manufacture of this thickener concentrate. Acid compatibility should be evaluated separately using controlled laboratory trials.
Example Application: Thickened HCl Toilet Cleaner
100 KG Development Formulation – Approximately 10% HCl
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Raw Material
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Quantity
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Hydrochloric Acid 33%
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30.3 kg
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RXSOL Acid Thickener (Formulation A)
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3.0 kg
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Acid-Compatible Fragrance
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Optional, validated quantity
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Acid-Compatible Colour
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Optional, validated quantity
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Demineralized Water
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Balance to 100 kg
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Total
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100 kg
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The formulation contains approximately 10% active HCl by weight before considering impurities and assay variations.
Important: This is a composition for controlled laboratory development, not a validated production recipe. The proposed surfactant system may not achieve the desired gel viscosity at this acid concentration.
Acid Mixing Safety
Hydrochloric acid is corrosive and can release irritating hydrogen chloride vapours.
Manufacturing requires acid-compatible equipment, local exhaust ventilation, appropriate PPE and trained personnel. Always add acid slowly to water under controlled conditions; never add water to concentrated acid.
Do not mix hydrochloric acid cleaners with sodium hypochlorite, bleach or other oxidizing cleaning products because toxic chlorine gas may be released.
RXSOL Technical Product Bulletin
Acid Thickener for Hydrochloric Acid Cleaning Formulations
Working Principle
RXSOL Acid Thickener is designed to modify the rheological behaviour of acid-based cleaning solutions.
Selected cationic and protonated amphoteric surfactants can form organized aggregates in acidic media. Under suitable conditions, these structures can increase viscosity and improve surface cling.
However, strong acid concentration, chloride ion concentration and surfactant ratio strongly influence aggregate formation. The result may range from a low-viscosity liquid to a viscous solution or an unstable separated system.
Consequently, the viscosity of the final acid cleaner must be demonstrated experimentally rather than inferred from the thickener composition alone.
Quality Control Specifications for Final Acid Cleaner
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Parameter
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Suggested Development Target
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Appearance
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Uniform liquid or gel
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Free HCl
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As per product formulation
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Viscosity at 25°C
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500–3,000 mPa·s
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Phase Separation
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None under validated storage conditions
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Surface Cling
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Satisfactory on reference vertical surface
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Cleaning Performance
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Effective removal of standardized calcium carbonate deposits
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Low Temperature Stability
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No unacceptable separation
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Accelerated Stability
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No unacceptable change in viscosity or appearance
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Packaging Compatibility
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No leakage, deformation or significant degradation
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Recommended Performance Testing
Acid Compatibility: Evaluate the thickener at 5%, 10% and 15% HCl concentrations.
Viscosity: Measure using a Brookfield viscometer at 25°C with a documented spindle and speed.
Vertical Surface Cling: Apply a standardized quantity to a reference acid-resistant surface and measure runoff.
Storage Stability: Evaluate samples at ambient and elevated temperatures using suitable sealed, compatible laboratory containers.
Cleaning Efficiency: Compare calcium carbonate removal under controlled conditions against an unthickened acid cleaner.
Corrosion Compatibility: Conduct material-specific testing for any metal cleaning application.