Patent ID: 6211138
Filing Date: 2001-04-03
Classification: C11D

Abstract:
A non-tower process for preparing a granular detergent composition having a density of at least about 600 g/l, comprising the steps of:(a) dispersing a surfactant, and coating the surfactant with fine powder having a diameter from 0.1 to 100 microns, while wetting the surfactant coated with the fine powder with finely atomized liquid, in a mixer wherein conditions of the mixer include (i) from about 0.2 to about 5 seconds of mean residence time, (ii) from about 10 to about 30 m/s of tip speed, and (iii) from about 0.15 to about 5 kj/kg of energy condition, wherein agglomerates are formed; and(b) granulating the agglomerates in one or more fluidizing apparatus wherein conditions of each of the fluidizing apparatus include (i) from about 1 to about 10 minutes of mean residence time, (ii) from about 100 to 300 mm of depth of unfluidized bed, (iii) not more than about 50 micron of droplet spray size, (iv) from about 175 to about 250 mm of spray height, (v) from about 0.2 to about 1.4 m/s of fluidizing velocity and (vi) from about 12 to about 100.degree. C. of bed temperature;wherein the agglomerates comprise from 54% to 86% by weight of the fine powder in step a) and the fine powder is selected from the group consisting of soda ash, powdered sodium tripolyphosphate, hydrated tripolyphosphate, sodium sulphate, phosphates, precipitated silicates, polymers, citrates, nitrilotriacetates, powdered surfactants and mixtures thereof; and optionally further includes from 0 to about 60% by weight of the composition of an internal recycle stream of powder.