Patent ID: 6207635
Filing Date: 2001-03-27
Classification: C11D

Abstract:
A process for preparing free flowing detergent agglomerates comprising the steps of:(a) preparing a mixture of detergent components in a mixer, said components comprising:(1) from about 20% to about 35% by weight of a surfactant compound selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants and acid precursors of anionic surfactants;(2) from about 0% to about 65% by weight of a particulate phosphate builder selected from the group consisting of polyphosphate, pyrophosphate, and mixtures thereof;(3) from about 6% to about 60% by weight of a particulate carbonate selected from the group consisting of sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, and mixtures thereof, wherein when an acid precursor of anionic surfactant is used in (a)(1), the amount of carbonate is at least 2 times that which is sufficient to neutralize the surfactant acid;wherein at least 67% by weight of the total amount of Components (a)(2) and (a)(3) meets a particle size specification of 97% of particles less than 40 microns and median particle size of 5 to 20 microns; and(b) agglomerating the mixture from Step (a) in a moderate speed mixer to produce detergent agglomerates.