Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing – Heterogeneous arrangement
Patent
1997-10-27
2000-10-31
Douyon, Lorna M.
Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces, auxiliary compositions
Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing
Heterogeneous arrangement
510400, 510507, 510532, 264117, 264140, C11D 1100
Patent
active
061403016
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a process for the continuous preparation of a granular detergent composition or component having a high bulk density and good flow properties. In such compositions and components it is known to use crystalline Zeolite A which is a water-insoluble, crystalline material well-known in the detergent art as a builder which is particularly suited to removing cations such as calcium and magnesium from hard water.
Crystalline Zeolite A is a very finely divided powder. It has been common practice to process the finely divided powder into the form of larger granules (typically 400 to 1000 micrometers) before incorporation into finished products, especially finished detergent compositions. Various granulation processes are known including spray drying and agglomeration. Conventional agglomeration processes in which Zeolite A is used as one of the components have long been known in the prior art:
GB2005715, published on Apr. 25th, 1979 describes an agglomeration process based upon Zeolite A. The Zeolite A is agglomerated along with carbonate/bicarbonate to make nonionic surfactant agglomerates.
WO93/25378, published on Dec. 23rd, 1993, discloses a process for making granular detergents comprising Zeolite A. The Zeolite A is agglomerated with a high active, neutralised surfactant paste in a high speed mixer and a moderate speed mixer/agglomerator to make anionic surfactant agglomerates.
One of the factors which limits the surfactant activity of the prior art mentioned above is the capacity of Zeolite A to absorb liquid organic materials. It has been suggested that replacing Zeolite A by Zeolite P (specifically Zeolite MAP) could address this problem.
EP521635, published on Jan. 7th, 1993, discloses granular detergents made using from 10% to 100% of Zeolite MAP. Zeolite MAP has a different chemical composition to Zeolite A. In Example 1 of this patent application it is reported that the oil absorbing capacity of Zeolite MAP is 41.6 ml/100 g, and that this is higher than measured samples of Zeolite A for which it is 26 to 35.5 ml/100 g. However modifying the chemical structure of conventional crystalline Zeolite A (i.e. modifying the stoichiometric ratios of Si, Al, Na, O, H) is not always desirable because other properties and characteristics of the Zeolite are necessarily affected.
The object of the invention is to provide a granulation process for making granular detergents which incorporates highly absorbent crystalline Zeolite into granular agglomerates, without losing any of the builder capabilities, especially calcium exchange capacity and calcium exchange rate.
According to the invention this object is achieved by using a modified crystalline Zeolite A having higher oil absorption capacities in a process as specified hereinbelow. The Zeolite A has modified physical characteristics (i.e. crystallinity, surface area characteristics, moisture level etc.) rather than a modified chemical structure in order to achieve an oil absorbing capacity of at least 40 ml/100 g. In this way the excellent builder properties of Zeolite A may still be utilised.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a granulation process for making granular detergents having improved processability, and amount of oversize particles (or "lumps") being formed in the process being reduced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The objects of the invention are achieved by a process for the preparation of a granular detergent composition or component having a bulk density greater than 650 g/l which comprises the step of dispersing a liquid binder throughout a powder stream in a high speed mixer to form granular agglomerates, wherein the powder stream comprises crystalline zeolite A having an oil absorbing capacity of at least 40 ml/100 g, preferably at least 45 ml/100 g and most preferably at least 50 ml/100 g.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention the granular agglomerates are formed by mixing in the high speed mixer for a residence time of from about 2 seconds to about 30 seconds, followed by the step of
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Brougham Peter Rutherford
Burgess George
Bolam Brian M.
Douyon Lorna M.
Rasser Jacobus C.
The Procter & Gamble & Company
Zerby Kim William
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