Patent ID: 6794354
Filing Date: 2004-09-21
Classification: C11D

Abstract:
A continuous process for preparing granular detergent agglomerate having a density of at least about 500 g/l, comprising the step of:(a) in a first step, dispersing and mixing a liquid acid precursor of an anionic surfactant with a solid particulate water-soluble alkaline material in a high speed mixer for a mean residence time of about 0.2 to about 50 seconds, wherein the acid precursors is partly or totally neutralized, thereby forming a dry neutralized material comprising a salt of the anionic surfactant precursor in the form of a free-flowing powder; and (b) in a second step, dispersing and mixing an agglomeration binder which is a viscous surfactant paste having a shear-thinning rheology with an apparent yield stress (ty) of greater than about 50 Pa with the free-flowing powder in a moderate speed mixer, said mixer having chopper blades operating at a tip speed of at least 3 m/sec, said agglomeration binder being dispersed directly at or slightly upstream from said chopper blades and dispersed as discrete mass units having an average equivalent diameter of from about 0.5 to about 4 mm, thereby agglomerating the powder into granular detergent agglomerates.