Aerosol hairspray cans are a cosmetic product used by 86% of women in the United States.(3) The consumer demand for hair products has stayed relatively steady since the invention of hairspray. Industrial suppliers can increase their net profit of aerosol hairspray production by analyzing and possibly optimizing their manufacturing process, mores specifically, the production of the most widely used aerosol propellant, dimethyl ether (DME). The optimization of a thermally coupled DME reactor (OTCDR) proves to be economical, energy sufficient, and increase the net profit of the industrial plant. It is in the best interest of industrial aerosol hairspray manufacturers to consider multiple alternative production processes and, or optimization of current processes.
Introduction.
Aerosol cans were first patented in the United States in 1941. This innovation did not have much impact on the world until World War ΙΙ. The U.S. military introduced the aerosol cans for dispensing insecticide. The potential uses of aerosol cans were quickly recognized. The first commercial hairsprays marketed in the late 1940s. Hairsprays belong to a class of personal care products that help hair hold a desired style. Hairsprays are formulated as aerosols that are powdered pressurized gasses. The design of hairspray efficiency, consumer appeal
Aerosol cans serve as convenient packages for paints, medications, insecticides, adhesives, food, and cosmetics. The structure of an aerosol is shown below in Figure 1. Most aerosol cans are made of aluminum and are mono-bloc in construction. The bottom of the can has a curved bottom to resist the pressure of the gas and for greater ease of full product use.
Figure 1. On the left is the inside of a compressed aerosol can. On the right is a close up view of the valve.
The contents of aerosol are made up of two components, the product and the propellant. The propellant can exist as a liquefied gas or as a
References: (3) Riddick, J.A., et al. 1985. Techniques of Chemistry, 4th Edition, Volume ΙΙ, Organic Solvents. John Wiley & Sons, New York, NY. pp.1325. (4) R. Vakili, et al. 2011. Utilizing differential evolution (DE) technique to optimize operating conditions of an integrated thermally coupled direct DME synthesis reactor. (5) Zhigang Lei, et al (8) Sajo P. Naik, et al. Synthesis of DME from CO2/H2 gas mixture, Chemical Engineering Journal. Western Research Institute, University of Utah. Accessed October 7, 2011. Feb. 17, 1976 United States Patent Apr. 14, 1961 United States Patent Office