Patent ID: 9476013
Filing Date: 2016-10-25
CPC Classification: C11D

Claim Text:
1. A process for preparing builder granules suitable for use in a granular detergent composition or detergent tablet, the process comprising: A) forming a slurry comprising seed particles of solid MGDA Na B) spray drying the slurry in a spray dryer, under non-agglomerating conditions, with a slurry temperature of 20° C. or more and an inlet temperature for drying air from 150° C. to 350° C., to form spray dried particles comprising solid crystalline MGDA Na C) compacting the spray dried particles into compacted aggregates, D) comminuting the compacted aggregates into granular particles to form builder granules having a particle size distribution suitable for use in a granular detergent composition, wherein the slurry is maintained at the slurry temperature for an ageing time of at least a minimum ageing period to form an aged slurry prior to spray drying, the minimum ageing period being sufficiently long for the resulting builder granules to remain free flowing after 48 hours storage at 20° C. and 65% relative humidity.