Dilon Grammentz
Lead. Product Development Chemist, Hydrite Chemical Co.
I have been a formulator and product development chemist at Hydrite Chemical for 8 years and one of the focuses over that time has been on membrane cleaning chemistry development and membrane applications. Overall, I have been formulating cleaners and sanitizers for the food and beverage industry for 12 years.
Designing a Next Generation NPE-Free Membrane Detergent
Replacing nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) in dairy membrane cleaning is challenging for several reasons. NPEs are low-cost high-performance surfactants, particularly on milk fats. The list price of the production of NPEs does not include the environmental costs and wildlife downsides to using these surfactants. We present an approach to designing a surfactant system through environmental and cleaning performance lenses. A holistic view in the development process provides a solution with improved environmental profile using EPA Design for Environment surfactants and substantially better cleaning performance relative to first generation NPE replacement technologies on the market.