MXPA99003211A - Process for making a low density detergent composition - Google Patents

Abstract

A non-tower process for preparing a granular detergent composition having a low density of less than 600 g/l is provided. The process comprises the steps of:(a) mixing an anionic surfactant paste comprising from about 35%to about 85%anionic surfactant and from about 15%to about 65%water with a sufficient amount of a particulate water absorbing material to form a solid mass having penetration value of from about 75 gf to about 4,000 gf, then (b) agglomerating the solid mass from the step (a) and an amount of one or more other detergent ingredients in a mixer so as to produce agglomerates having an anionic surfactant content of from about 12%to about 60%.

Description

PROCEDURE TO MAKE A COMPOSITION OF LOW DENSITY DETERGENT FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a process for producing a low density detergent composition. More particularly, the invention is directed to a non-tower process during which low density detergent agglomerates are produced by curing an aqueous slurry of surfactant by mixing said slurry with a water absorbing material, and then mixing the hardened slurry with Other detergent ingredients to produce agglomerates. The process produces a low density, free flowing detergent composition which can be sold commercially as a conventional non-compact detergent composition, or used as a mixing additive in a "compact" and low dose detergent product.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Recently, there has been considerable interest within the detergent industry for laundry detergents that are "compact" and, therefore, have low dosage volumes. To facilitate the production of these so-called low dosage detergents, many attempts have been made to produce high density global detergents, for example, with a density of 600 g / l or more. Low dosage detergents are currently in high demand because they conserve resources and can be marketed in small packages that are more convenient for consumers. However, the degree to which modern detergent products need to be "compact" in nature remains uncertain. In fact, many consumers, especially in developing countries, continue to prefer higher dosage levels in their respective laundry operations. A feature common to the existing process for producing modern detergent compositions by agglomeration, namely, a non-tower process, is that the bulk density of the granules by said process is typically not less than 600 g / l. Accordingly, there is a need for the agglomeration technique (e.g., a non-tower method) to produce modern detergent compositions to achieve flexibility in the final density of the final composition, especially for low density (e.g., scale of the density is around 300 g / la approximately 600 g / l). In general, there are three primary types of procedures by which granules or detergent powders can be prepared. The first type of process involves spray drying an aqueous detergent suspension in a spray drying tower to produce highly porous detergent granules (eg, tower process for low density detergent compositions). The second type of process involves spray drying an aqueous detergent suspension in a spray drying tower as the first step, and then the resulting granules are agglomerated with a binder such as anionic or nonionic surfactant; finally, various detergent components are dry blended to produce detergent granules (e.g., by the tower process plus an agglomeration process for high density detergent compositions). In the third type of process, the different detergent components are mixed dry after they are agglomerated with a binder such as an anionic or nonionic surfactant, to produce high density detergent compositions (eg, agglomeration process for detergent compositions) high density). In the three above processes, the important factors that determine the density of the resulting detergent granules are the shape, porosity and particle size distribution of said granules, the density of the different starting materials, the shape of the different starting materials., and its respective chemical composition. There have been many attempts in the art to provide methods that increase the density of detergent granules or powders. Particular attention has been given to the densification of spray-dried granules by post-tower treatment. For example, an attempt involves an intermittent procedure in which granular or spray-dried detergent powders containing sodium tripolyphosphate and sodium sulfate are densified and spheronized in a Marumerizer®. This apparatus comprises a rotatable table, made rough and substantially horizontal, located inside and at the base of a substantially vertical smooth wall cylinder. However, this process is essentially an intermittent process and is therefore less convenient for the large-scale production of detergent powders. More recently, other attempts have been made to provide continuous processes to increase the density of spray-dried or post-tower detergent granules. Typically, said processes require a first apparatus that pulverizes or crushes the granules, and a second apparatus that increases the density of the pulverized granules by agglomeration. Although these methods achieve the desired increase in density by treating or densifying the spray-dried or "post-tower" granules, they are limited in their ability to go beyond the surfactant level without a subsequent coating step. In addition, the treatment or densification by "post tower" is not favorable in terms of economy (high capital cost) and complexity of operation. In addition, all of the aforementioned processes are directed primarily to densify or otherwise process spray-dried granules. Currently, the relative amounts and types of materials subjected to spray drying processes in the production of detergent granules have been limited. For example, it has been difficult to achieve high levels of surfactant in the resulting detergent composition, a feature that facilitates the production of detergents more efficiently. Thus, it would be convenient to have a method by which detergent compositions can be produced without having the limitations imposed by conventional spray drying techniques. To that end, the technique is also replete with descriptions of procedures involving agglomerating detergent compositions. For example, attempts have been made to agglomerate builders by mixing zeolite and / or layered silicates in a mixer to form free flowing agglomerates. Although such attempts suggest that their process can be used to produce detergent agglomerates, they do not provide a mechanism by which starting detergent materials in the form of pastes, liquids and dry materials can effectively agglomerate into crisp and free-flowing detergent agglomerates that have low densities. Accordingly, there is a need in the art to have a non-tower process for producing a low density detergent composition directly from the starting detergent ingredients. Likewise, there is a need for such a process that is more efficient, flexible and economical to facilitate the large-scale production of both low and high detergents, dosing levels.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND The following references are directed to densify spray-dried granules: Appel et al., US patent. No. 5,133,924 (Lever); Bortolotti et al., Patent of E.U. No. 5,160,657 (Lever); Johnson et al., British Patent No. 1, 517,713 (Unilever); and Curtis, European patent application 451, 894. The following references are directed to producing detergents by agglomeration: Charles et al., U.S. patent. No. 4,992,079 (FMC Corporation), Beujean et al., Open document to the public No. WO93 / 23,523 (Henkel), Beerse et al., US patent. No. 5,108,646 (Procter &Gamble); Capeci et al., Patent of E.U. No. 5,366,652 (Procter &Gamble); Aouad et al., Patent of E.U. No. 5,451, 354 (Procter &Gamble); Hollingsworth et al., European patent application 351, 937 (Unilever); and Swatling et al., U.S. Patent. No. 5,205,958. The patent of E.U. No. 4,992,079 discloses an agglomeration process for non-low density phosphate detergents that have increased resistance to non-ionic purge. The first step of the process agglomerates detergent ingredients with a non-aqueous liquid surfactant. The first step is followed by a second agglomeration step, where the particles charged with surfactant are dispersed in an inert gaseous medium, wetting the dispersed particles with a randomized stream of aqueous sodium silicate, or with atomized streams separated from water and concentrated sodium silicate to form the agglomerated detergent. It is not clear from the description what contributes to low density. In addition, the description does not include aqueous surfactants or detergents containing phosphate. The procedure in the U.S. patent No. 4,992,079 differs from the invention described herein, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention meets the aforementioned needs in the art by providing a non-tower process that produces a low density granular detergent composition directly from a surfactant paste and other conventional detergent ingredients. The process of the proposed invention has the ability to adjust the density of the granules of the composition by controlled hardening of the anionic surfactant paste to a specified degree of hardness, as measured by penetration values. The process does not make use of conventional spray drying towers, which is currently limited to produce high load compositions of surfactants. In addition, the process of the present invention is more efficient, economical and flexible with respect to the variety of detergent compositions that may be produced in the process. In addition, the process is more sensitive to environmental problems because it does not make use of spray-drying towers that typically emit particles and volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere. As used herein, the term "agglomerates" refers to particles formed by agglomerating raw materials with binder, such as surfactants and / or inorganic solutions / organic solvents and polymer solutions. All percentages used herein are expressed as "percent by weight," unless otherwise indicated. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a process for preparing a granular detergent composition having a low density (less than about 600 g / l), preferably from about 300 g / l to 600 g / l. The method comprises the steps of: (a) mixing an anionic surfactant paste comprising from about 35% to about 85% anionic surfactant and from about 15% to about 65% water with a sufficient amount of an absorbent material of particulate water to form a solid mass having a penetration value of about 75 gf to about 4, 000 gf, then (b) agglomerate the solid mass of step (a) and an amount of one or more additional detergent ingredients in a mixer to produce agglomerates having an anionic surfactant content of about 12% to about 60%. Granular detergent compositions having a low density of less than about 600 g / l, preferably about 300 g / l to about 600 g / l, produced by any of the methods described herein are also provided. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for continuously producing a low density detergent composition by controlling the penetration value of a surfactant paste for agglomeration. It is also an object of the invention to provide a process that is more efficient, flexible and economical to facilitate the large-scale production of detergents. These and other objects, features and concomitant advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY The present invention is directed to a process that allows producing free flowing granular detergent agglomerates having a low density of not less than about 600 g / l, preferably from about 300 to about 600 g / l. The process allows to produce low density detergent agglomerates from an anionic surfactant paste having a water content of typically at least about 15%, generally from about 15 to about 65%, preferably about 20 to about 60%, most preferably around 30 to about 50%. The detergent agglomerates can be used as a detergent or as an additive for detergents. It should be understood that the method described herein may be continuous, depending on the desired application.

Procedure In the first step of the process, an anionic surfactant paste (aqueous or non-aqueous) comprising from about 35% to about 85% anionic surfactant and from about 15 to about 65% water is mixed with a sufficient amount of a particulate water absorbing material to form a solid mass having a penetration value of about 75 gf to about 4,000 gf, measured in accordance with a conventional penetrometer known to those skilled in the art (e.g., such as ASTM D 217-IP 50 or ISO 2137). Forming a solid mass, as used herein, means not only making a mass of the anionic surfactant paste having a property of highly viscous plastic solids or fluids, but also means (i) increasing the apparent viscosity of the anionic surfactant paste, (ii) increasing the effective melting point of the anionic surfactant paste and (iii) increasing the "hardness" of the anionic surfactant paste. In the present invention, the hardness of the anionic surfactant paste after the first step is expressed as the penetration value. The mixing of the first step can be achieved in any type of equipment suitable for kneading plastic solids or highly viscous fluids. The penetration value that is given to the surfactant paste can be controlled by the equipment, used for mixing (eg, the first step) and by the amount and choice of the water absorption agent. A twinworm extruder such as that used as an extruder in the manufacture of soap bars is particularly suitable. Preferred examples of the twinworm extruder are: CONTINUE-83, manufactured by Wemer and Pfleiderer, and other twinworm extruders manufactured as Kurimoto Compounder or Reico Teiedyne Compounder. The solid mass produced in the first step is sometimes called "hardened paste" here. In the second step of the process, the solid mass (hardened paste) obtained in the first step and other detergent ingredients are fed to a mixer which can be used for an agglomeration and which is known to those skilled in the agglomeration art, then the contents of the mixer are agglomerated to form detergent agglomerates having a density of less than about 600 g / l. As used herein, the phrase "other detergent ingredients" refers to ingredients selected from fine powders typically having an average diameter of 0.1 to 500 microns, preferably about 1 to about 100 microns, or selected from mixtures of the same. fine powders and optional ingredients selected from the group consisting of (i) other surfactants, (ii) auxiliary detergent ingredients and (ii) mixtures thereof. Generally speaking, to achieve low density (less than about 600 g / l), preferably, the average residence time in the mixer is about 5 to about 30 seconds, and the tip speed of the mixer is on the scale of about 5 m / s to about 22m / s, the energy per unit mass in the mixer is about 0.15 kj / kg to about 12 kj / kg, preferably, the average residence time in the mixer is about 5 to about 15 seconds, and the tip speed for the mixer is on the scale of about 6 m / s to about 20 m / s, the energy per unit mass for the mixer is from about 0.15 kj / kg to about 8 kj / kg, and most preferably, the average residence time in the mixer is from about 5 to about 10 seconds, and the tip speed for the mixer is at scale of about 6 m / s to about 18 m / s, and the energy per unit mass for the mixer is about 0.15 kj / kg to about 4.5 kj / kg. Examples of mixers for the second step can be any type of mixer known to those skilled in the art, as long as the mixer can maintain the condition mentioned above for the second step. An example can be the CB Lodige mixer, manufactured by the company Lódige (Germany). The detergent agglomerates produced by the process preferably have an anionic surfactant level of from about 12% to about 60%, most preferably from about 25% to about 55%, i.e., they comprise up to about 88% of other detergent ingredients (including the ingredient used for the hardening of the pasta). The agglomerates are irregular in shape and have a relatively high degree of voids between particles, both characteristics contributing to the low density. The present process typically provides detergent agglomerates having an average particle size of about 200 microns to about 800 microns, and most preferably about 300 microns to about 650 microns. As used herein, the phrase "average particle size" of the agglomerates refers to the average size of all the particles constituting the agglomerates. Agglomerates having the desired average particle size can be obtained by screening the agglomeration of the second step, since the agglomerates of the second step can contain a relatively large amount of fine powders that have to be recirculated. Additional agglomeration (i.e., an additional mixing step) can be used. In this embodiment, after the solid mass and other detergent ingredients are fed to the first mixer and agglomerated, the agglomerates and other liquid components (which are described in fully detailed form below) can be added to the contents of one or more mixers (e.g., the second mixer or the series of second mixers) then the contents in this mixer are agglomerated to form detergent agglomerates having a density of less than about 600 g / l. Examples of mixers for the second mixer can be any type of agglomeration mixer that is known to those skilled in the art. An example could be the Lódige KM mixer manufactured by the Lódige company (Germany) or the Schugi Flexomic model manufactured by the Schugi company (Holland). In case the process includes the second mixer, it surprisingly reduces the amount of recirculated fine powders in excess of the second step, compared to the amount of fine powders recirculated in excess due to common agglomeration procedures known to the person skilled in the art. . The existence of fine powders in excess leads to excessive recirculation currents that alter the process and is therefore not economically favorable.

Starting detergent materials The total amount of the surfactants for the present invention, which are included in the following detergent surfactants, other liquid compositions and adjunct detergent ingredients, is generally from about 5% to about 60%, preferably about 12% to about 55%, most preferably about 15% to about 45%, in the total amount of the final product obtained by the process of the present invention. The surfactants that must be included in the above process can be from any point in the process of the present invention, for example, one of the first step or the second step, or both of the steps of the present invention.

Detergent surfactants (a) Anionic surfactant paste The amount of anionic surfactant in paste form can be from about 5% to about 60% (active), preferably about 12% to about 40% (active), most preferably about 25% to about 55% (active), in the total amount of the final product obtained by the process of the present invention. It is preferred to use in the present invention one or more aqueous pastes different from the anionic surfactant salts, including the water soluble salts, preferably the alkali metal, ammonium and alkylolammonium salts of organic sulfuric reaction products having in their molecular structure an alkyl group containing from about 10 to about 20 carbon atoms and a sulfonic acid ester or sulfuric acid group. (The alkyl portion of acyl groups is included in the term "alkyl"). Generally speaking, the water content in the surfactant paste is as low as possible, while maintaining the flowability of the paste, since a low moisture content leads to a higher concentration of the surfactant in the finished agglomerates. In a preferred embodiment, the surfactant paste comprises from about 35% to about 85% anionic surfactant, and from about 15% to about 65% water.

Non-limiting examples of the anionic surfactants useful herein include the conventional C ^ ^ -C ^ Q alkylbenzene sulphonates ("LAS"), the primary, branched-chain and random C-10-C20 alkyl sulfates ("AS"), the secondary alkyl sulfates (2,3) of CI Q-C-J S of the formula CH3 (CH2) x (CHOS? 3-M +) CH3 and CH3 (CH2) and (CHOSO3- +) CH2CH3) where x and (y + 1) are integers of at least about 7, preferably at least about 9 , and M is a cation of solubilization in water,. especially sodium, unsaturated sulfates such as oleyl sulfate and the C 10 -C 18 alkylalkoxy sulfates ("AEXS", especially ethoxysulfates EO 1-7). Useful anionic surfactants also include water-soluble salts of 2-acyloxy-alkane-1-sulfonic acids containing from about 2 to 9 carbon atoms in the acyl group, and from about 9 to about 23 carbon atoms in the alkane portion; water-soluble salts of olefin sulphonates containing about 12 to 24 carbon atoms; and beta-alkyloxy-alcansulfonates containing from about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, and about 8 to 20 carbon atoms in the alkane portion. Optionally, other examples of surfactants useful in the paste of the invention include alkylalkoxycarboxylates of C-jn-C-is (especially the ethoxycarboxylates EO 1-5), the glycerol ethers of C < | n-C < The alkylpolyglycosides of C-jn-Ciß and their corresponding sulfated polyglycosides, and aliphasulfonated fatty acid esters of Ci2-Ci8- If desired, the conventional amphoteric and nonionic surfactants such as alkylethoxylates of C-j2-C- | 8 ("AE") including the so-called narrow peak alkyl ethoxylates and the C 1 -C 12 alkylphenolal-xylates (especially ethoxylates and ethoxy / mixed propoxy), amine oxides of C 0 or C 8 |; and the like, can also be included in the overall compositions. The N-alkyl polyhydroxy fatty acid amides of C-JQ-CIS may also be used. Typical examples include the N-methylglucamides of C- | 2-Ci8- See WO 9,206,154. Other surfactants derived from sugar include the N-alkoxy polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, such as N-3 (methoxypropyl) glucamide of C-JQ-CIS- The glucamides of N-propyl to N-hexyl of C 12 -C 18 they can be used for low foam formation. Conventional C- | or-C20 soaps can also be used- If high foaming is desired, branched-chain C10-C16 soaps can be used. Mixtures of anionic and nonionic surfactants are especially useful. Other conventional useful surfactants are mentioned in normal texts. Among the above non-limiting examples, preferred examples of anionic surfactant paste can be selected from the group consisting of alkylbenzenesulfonates, alkylalkoxy sulfates, alkyl ethoxylates, alkyl sulfates, coconut fatty alcohol sulfates and mixtures thereof. (b) Secondary surfactants The surfactant (s) that can be optionally applied to the second step of the present invention are preferably selected from ammonium, nonionic, zwitterionic, ampholytic and cationic classes, and mixtures compatible therewith. The detergent surfactants useful herein are described in the U.S. patent. 3,664,961, Norris, issued May 23, 1972 and in the US patent. 3,929,678, Laughlin et al., Issued December 30, 1975, which are incorporated herein by reference. Useful cationic surfactants also include those described in the U.S. patent. 4,222,905, Cockrell, issued September 16, 1980 and in the US patent. 4,239,659, Murphy, issued December 16, 1980, which are also incorporated herein by reference. Of the surfactants, anionics and nonionics are preferred, with anionics being more preferred. The examples of anionic surfactants described in part (a) above can also be used for the secondary surfactant. Cationic surfactants may also be used as the detergent surfactant herein, and suitable quaternary ammonium surfactants are selected from C6-Ci6 N-alkyl or alkylammonium surfactants, wherein the remaining N positions are substituted by methyl groups, hydroxyalkyl or hydroxypropyl. Ampholytic surfactants such as the detergent surfactant herein can also be used, which include aliphatic derivatives of heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines; zwitterionic surfactants including derivatives of aliphatic quaternary ammonium, phosphonium and sulfonium compounds; water-soluble salts of esters of fatty acids alphasulfonated; alkyl ether sulfates; water-soluble salts of olefin sulfonates; beta-alkyloxy-alcansulfonates; betaines that have the formula R (R1) 2N + R2C00- 'wherein R is a hydrocarbon group of CQ-CJQ, preferably an alkyl group of C-10-C16 or alkylacylamido group of C-Q- C < ß, each R ^ is typically C 1 -C 3 alkyl, preferably methyl, and R 2 is a C 1 -C 5 hydrocarbyl group, preferably C 1 -C 3 alkylene group, more preferably an C 1 -C 2 alkylene group. Examples of suitable betaines include coconut acylamidopropyl dimethylbetaine; hexadecyldimethylbetaine; C12-C14 acylamidopropyl betaine; C8-C14 acylamidohexyldietilbetaine; 4 [acylmethylamidodiethylammonium of Ci4- | 6 .- 'l-carboxybutane; C- | 6-C-8 acylamidodimethylbetaine; C-12-16 acylamidopentanodiethylbetaine; and acylmethylamidodimethylbetaine of C-J2-16- Preferred betaines are dimethylammonium hexanoate of C-12-I8 and the acylamldopropane (or ethane) dimethyl (or diethyl) betaines of C-jn-C-iß; and the sultaines having the formula R (R1) 2N + R2S03"wherein R is a C6-C8 hydrocarbyl group, preferably a C10-C16 alkyl group, more preferably a C12-C13 alkyl group, each R1 it is typically C 1 Cs alkyl, preferably methyl, and R 2 is a C 1 -C 7 hydrocarbyl group, preferably a C 1 -C 3 alkylene or, preferably, a C 1 -C 3 hydroxyalkylene group Examples of suitable sultaines include dimethylammonium-2 C 2 -Cl 4 hydroxypropyl sulfonate, amidopropylammonium-2-hydroxypropyl sultaine of C 12 -C 14, dihydroxyethylammonium propanesulfonate of C 2-Cu and dimethylammonium hexasulfonate of Ciß-Ciß, with amidopropylammonium-2-hydroxypropyl sultaine of C 12 -C being preferred ?4.

Water Absorbing Agent The water absorbing agent mixed with the anionic surfactant paste in the first step of the process can be any granular material that is capable of absorbing water, of modifying the crystalline structures of the selected anionic surfactant paste, of to provide elastic properties to the paste of selected anionic surfactant, and to be capable of being used in detergent compositions. One embodiment of preferred examples of materials suitable as a water absorbing agent are hydrophobic precipitated silica., aluminosilicates which are fully described in the lower section of "Fine Powders", and hydratable salts such as sodium carbonate, sodium sulfate, sodium citrate, trisodium phosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), tetrasodium tripolyphosphate, soda ash , sodium carboxymethylcellulose and quaternary ammonium compounds. Copolymeric polycarboxylates such as copolymers based on acrylic acid / maleic acid can also be used as the water absorbing agent of the present invention. Such materials include water-soluble salts of copolymers of acrylic acid and maleic acid. The average molecular weight of said copolymers in acid form preferably ranges from about 2,000 to 100,000, most preferably from about 5,000 to 75,000, and more preferably from about 7,000 to 65,000. The ratio of acrylate to maleate segments in said copolymers will generally vary from about 30: 1 to about 1: 1, most preferably from about 10: 1 to 2: 1. The water-soluble salts of said acrylic acid / maleic acid copolymers may include, for example, the alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts. The amount of water absorbing material used is that which is sufficient to produce a hardened paste having a scale penetration value of about 100 to about 4,000 gf, preferably about 1000 to about 3,000 gf. Of course, this amount will depend on the water content of the pulp and the water absorption capacity of the water-absorbing material. The amount of any particular water absorbent material required for any particular surfactant paste will be determined by routine experimentation.

Fine powders The amount of fine powders of the present process, which are used in the second step, may be from about 94% to 30%, preferably from 86% to 54%, in a total amount of the starting material for the second. He passed. The starting fine powders of the present process are preferably selected from the group consisting of sodium carbonate base, sodium tripolyphosphate powder (STPP), hydrated tripolyphosphate, sodium sulfate base, aluminosilicates, layered crystalline silicates, nitrilotriacetates (NTA), phosphates , precipitated silicates, polymers, carbonates, citrates, powdered surfactants (such as powdered alkanesulfonic acids) and recirculated fine particles that occur from the process of the present invention, wherein the average diameter of the powder is 0.1 to 500 microns, preferably from 1 to 300 microns, more preferably from 5 to 100 microns. Accordingly, the water absorbing agent for the first step of the present invention (which is described above) may be suitable as fine powders for the second step of the present invention. In case of using hydrated STPP as the fine powders of the present invention, STPP which is hydrated to a level not less than 50% is preferred: The aluminosilicate ion exchange materials used herein as builder have a high capacity calcium ion exchange and a high exchange rate. While not wishing to be limited by theory, it is thought that such high capacity and rate of calcium ion exchange are a function of several interrelated factors that are derived from the method by which the aluminosilicate ion exchange material is produced. In this regard, the aluminosilicate ion exchange materials used herein are preferably produced in accordance with Corkill et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,605,509 (Procter &Gamble), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Preferably, the aluminosilicate ion exchange material is in the "sodium" form, since the potassium and hydrogen forms of the present aluminosilicate do not exhibit a capacity and an ion exchange rate as high as provided by the sodium form. Additionally, preferably the aluminosilicate ion exchange material is in dehydrated form to facilitate the production of crisp detergent agglomerates as described herein. The aluminosilicate ion exchange materials used herein preferably have particle size diameters that optimize their effectiveness as builders. The term "particle size diameter", as used herein, represents the average diameter of particle size of a given aluminosilicate ion exchange material determined by conventional analytical techniques, such as microscopic and scanning electron microscopy determination. (SEM). The preferred particle size diameter of the aluminosilicate is from about 0.1 microns to about 10 microns, more preferably from about 0.5 microns to about 9 microns. Most preferably, the diameter of particle size is from about 1 miera to about 8 micras. Preferably, the aluminosilicate ion exchange material has the formula: Naz [(AIO2) z (Si? 2) and] xH2O where z and y are integers of at least 6, the molar ratio of z: y is about 1 to about 5, and x is from about 10 to about 264. More preferably, the aluminosilicate has the formula: Na12 [(AIO2) 12 (SiO2) 12] xH2? wherein x is from about 20 to about 30, preferably about 27. These preferred aluminosilicates are commercially available, for example, under the designations Zeolite A, Zeolite B and Zeolite X. Alternatively, naturally occurring aluminosilicate ion exchange materials. or which are synthetically derived and suitable for use in the present, can be obtained as described in Krummel et al., US patent. No. 3,985,669, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The aluminosilicates used herein are further characterized by their ion exchange capacity which is at least about 200 mg hardness equivalent of CaCOß / g, calculated on an anhydrous basis, and which is preferably on a scale of about 300 to 352 mg hardness equivalents of CaCOs / g. Additionally, the aluminosilicate ion exchange materials of the present are further characterized by their calcium ion exchange rate, which is at least about 2 grains of Ca ++ / 3.785 liters / minute / gram / 3.785 liters, and more preferably on a scale of about 2 grains of Ca ++ / 3.785 liters / minute / gram / 3.785 liters to about 6 grains of Ca ++ / 3.785 liters / minute / gram / 3.785 liters.

Other Liquid Components The amount of other liquid components (aqueous or non-aqueous) that can be additionally used for the present process, can be less than about 10% (on an active basis), preferably about 2% to about 6% (about an active base) in a total amount of the final product obtained by the process of the present invention. The other liquid components of the present process can be selected from the group consisting of liquid silicate, liquid solutions of anionic or cationic surfactants, aqueous or non-aqueous polymer solutions, water, and mixtures thereof. Other examples for the other liquid compositions of the present invention may be sodium carboxymethylcellulose solution, polyethylene glycol (PED) and dimethylenetriaminepentamethylphosphonic acid (DETMP) solutions. Preferable examples of the anionic surfactant solutions which can be used as the other liquid compositions in the present invention are HLAS about 88 to 97% active, NaLAS about 30 to 50% active, solution of AE3S about 28% active, liquid silicate approximately 40 to 50% active, etc. The liquid solution of cationic surfactants can also be used as other liquid compositions herein, and suitable quaternary ammonium surfactants are selected from N-alkyl or alkenyl ammonium surfactants of C6-C? The remaining ones are substituted by methyl, hydroxyethyl or hydroxypropyl groups. Preferable examples of the aqueous or non-aqueous polymer solutions which can be used as the finely atomized liquid in the present invention are modified polyamines comprising a polyamine base structure corresponding to the formula: H I I [H2N-R] n + 1- [N-R] m- [N-R] n-NH2 having a modified polyamine formula V (n + - |) WmYnZ or a polyamine base structure corresponding to the formula: H R [H2N-R] n.k + 1- [N-R] m- [N-R] n- [N-R] k-NH2 having a modified polyamine formula V (n_ | < +1) WmYnY'k Z, wherein k is less than or equal to n, said polyamine base structure, prior to modification, has a molecular weight greater than about 200 daltons, where: i) units V are terminal units that have the formula: E X- O E-N-R- E-N + -R or E-N-R- I) units W are base structure units that have the formula: E X " -NR- or -N + -R- -NR-EEE iii) the Y units are branching units having the formula: EX "O -NR- -N + -R- -NR-; and iv) the Z units are units terminals having the formula: x- -NE NEE wherein the base structure linking units R are selected from the group consisting of C2-C-12 alkylene, C4-C12 alkenylene, C3-C-12 hydroxyalkylene. C4-C12 dihydroxyalkylene, dialkylarylene of Cs-C- | 2, - (R 1 O) x R 1 -, - (R 1 O) X R 5 (OR) X, - (CH 2 CH (OR 2) CH 2?) z (R 0) y R 1 - ( OCH2CH (OR2) CH2) w ". -C (O) (R4) rC (O) -, -CH2CH (0R2) CH2-, and mixtures thereof; wherein R "! is C2-C6 alkylene, and mixtures thereof; R2 is hydrogen, - (R "1?) xB, and mixtures thereof: R3 is C-f-C- | 8 alkyl, C7-C12 arylalkyl, aryl substituted with C7-C12 alkyl, Cg-C-2 aryl, and mixtures thereof; R4 is alkylene of C-j-Ci2. Alkenylene of C4-C-12.

C8-C12 arylalkylene. CQ-C ^ Q arylene and mixtures thereof; R5 is alkylene of C- | -C < 2 > hydroxy alkylene of C3-C- | 2 > C4-C12 dihydroxyalkylene. dialkylarylene of C8-C "| 2, -C (O) -, -C (O) NHR6NHC (O) -, -R1 (OR1) -, - C (O) (R4) rC (O) -, CH2CH ( OH) CH2-, CH2CH (OH) CH20- (R10) and R1OCH2CH (OH) CH2- and mixtures thereof; R 6 is C 2 -C 12 alkylene or C 1 -C 4 arylene; The E units are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C 1 -C 22 alkyl, C 3 -C 22 alkenyl. C7-C22 arylalkyl, C2-C22 hydroxyalkyl > - (CH2) pCO M, - (CH2) qS? 3M, -CH (CH2C? 2M) CO2M, - (CH2) pP? 3M, - (R1O) xB, -C (O) R3, and mixtures thereof; oxide; B is hydrogen, alkyl of C "| -C6, - (CH2) qS03M, - (CH2) pC02M, (CH2) q (CHS? 3M) CH2SO3M, - (CH2) q- (CHSO2M) CH2S? 3M, - ( CH2) pPO3M, -PO3M and mixtures thereof; M is hydrogen or a cation soluble in water in an amount sufficient to satisfy the balance of the charge; X is a water soluble anion; m has the value of 4 to about 400; n has the value from 0 to about 200; p has the value of 1 to 6, q has the value of 0 to 6; r has the value of 0 or 1; w has the value of 0 or 1; x has the value of 1 to 100; "y" has the value of 0 to 100; z has the value of 0 or 1. An example of the most preferred polyethylene imines would be a polyethylenimine having a molecular weight of 1800, which is further modified by ethoxylation to a degree of about 7 ethyleneoxy residues per nitrogen (PEI 1800, E7 ). It is preferred that the above polymer solution be premixed with an anionic surfactant such as NaLAS. Other preferred examples of the aqueous or non-aqueous polymer solutions which can be used as the finely atomized liquid in the present invention are polymeric polycarboxylate dispersants which can be prepared by polymerizing or copolymerizing suitable unsaturated monomers, preferably in their acid form. Unsaturated monomeric acids which can be polymerized to form suitable polymeric polycarboxylates include acrylic acid, maleic acid (or maleic anhydride), fumaric acid, itaconic acid, aconitic acid, mesaconic acid, citraconic acid and methylenemalonic acid. The presence, in the polyimic polycarboxylates of the present, of monomeric segments which do not contain carboxylate radicals such as vinyl methyl ether, styrene, ethylene, etc., is suitable, provided that said segments do not constitute more than about 40% by weight. Preferred are homopolymeric polycarboxylates having molecular weights greater than 4000, such as those described below. Particularly suitable homopolymeric polycarboxylates can be derived from acrylic acid. Said polymers based on acrylic acid, which are useful herein, are the water-soluble salts of polymerized acrylic acid: The average molecular weight of said polymers in acid form preferably ranges from more than 4,000 to 10,000, preferably from more than 4,000 to 7,000, and most preferably more than 4,000 to 5,000. The water-soluble salts of said acrylic acid polymers may include, for example, the alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts. Copolymeric polycarboxylates such as a copolymer based on acrylic acid / maleic acid can also be used. Such materials include the water-soluble salts of the copolymer of acrylic acid and maleic acid. The average molecular weight of said copolymers in acid form preferably ranges from about 2,000 to 100,000, more preferably from about 5,000 to 75,000, and most preferably from about 7,000 to 65,000. The ratio of acrylate: maleate segments in said copolymers will generally vary from about 30: 1 to about 1: 1, more preferably from about 10: 1 to 2: 1. The water-soluble salts of said copolymers of acrylic acid: maleic acid may include, for example, the alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts. It is preferred that the above polymer solution be premixed with an anionic surfactant such as LAS.

Attached detergent ingredients The present process can include additional detergents and / or, any number of additional ingredients can be incorporated into the detergent composition during the subsequent steps of the present process. These adjunct ingredients include other detergency builders, bleaches, bleach activators, foaming enhancers, or foam suppressors, anti-rust and anti-corrosion agents, soil suspending agents, soil release agents, germicides, pH adjusting agents, foaming agents. alkalinity without builder, chelating agents, smectite clays, enzymes, enzyme stabilizing agents, and perfumes. See the US patent. 3,936,537, issued February 3, 1976 to Baskerville, Jr., et al., Incorporated herein by reference. Other detergency builders can generally be selected from the various water-soluble alkali metal, ammonium or ammonium phosphates, polyphosphates, polyphosphonates, carbonates, borates, polyhydroxysulfonates, polyacetates, carboxylates and polycarboxylates substituted. Alkali metal, especially sodium, salts of the above are preferred. Preferred for use herein are the phosphates, carbonates, C-io-is fatty acids, polycarboxylates, and mixtures thereof. More preferred are sodium tripolyphosphate, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, citrate, tartrate, mono- and di-succinates, and mixtures thereof (see below). Compared to the amorphous sodium silicates, the crystallized sodium silicate laminates exhibit a clearly increased calcium and magnesium ion exchange capacity. In addition, stratified sodium silicates prefer magnesium ions over calcium ions, a feature necessary to ensure that substantially all of the "hardness" is removed from the wash water. However, these layered crystalline sodium silicates are generally more expensive than amorphous silicates, as well as other detergency builders. Consequently, in order to provide an economically feasible laundry detergent, the proportion of the crystalline layered sodium silicates used must be judiciously determined. The layered crystalline sodium silicates suitable for use herein preferably have the formula: NaMSi? O2x + ?. yH2O wherein M is sodium or hydrogen, x is from about 1.9 to about 4, and y is from about 0 to about 20. More preferably, the stratified crystalline sodium silicate has the formula: NaMSi2O5.yH2O wherein M is sodium or hydrogen, and y is from about 0 to about 20. These and other stratified crystalline sodium silicates are described in Corkill et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,605,509, previously incorporated herein by reference. Specific examples of inorganic phosphate builders are sodium and potassium tripolyphosphate, pyrophosphate, polymeric metaphosphate having a degree of polymerization of about 6 to 21, and orthophosphates. Examples of polyphosphonate builders are the sodium and potassium salts of ethylene diphosphonic acid, the sodium and potassium salts of ethane 1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonic acid, and the sodium and potassium salts of acid 1, 1, 2-triphosphonic acid. Other phosphorus builder compounds are described in US Patents. 3,159,581; 3,213,030; 3,422,021; 3,422,137; 3,400,176 and 3,400,148, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Examples of non-phosphorus inorganic builders are tetraborate decahydrate and silicates having a weight ratio of SiO 2: alkali metal oxide of about 0.5 to about 4.0, preferably about 1.0 to about 2.4. The non-phosphorus water-soluble organic builders useful in the present include the various polyacetates, carboxylates, polycarboxylates and polyhydroxysulfonates of alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium. Examples of polyacetate builders and polycarboxylate builders are the sodium, potassium, lithium, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, oxydisuccinic acid, mellitic acid, benzene polycarboxylic acids, and citric acid. Polycarboxylate polymeric detergency builders are described in the U.S. patent. 3,308,067, Diehl, issued March 7, 1967, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Such materials include the water-soluble salts of homo- and co-polymers of aliphatic carboxylic acids such as maleic acid, itaconic acid, mesaconic acid, fumaric acid, aconitic acid, citraconic acid and methylenemalonic acid. Some of these materials are useful as the water-soluble anionic polymer as described below, but only if they are in intimate admixture with the non-soap anionic surfactant. Other polycarboxylates suitable for use herein are the polyacetal carboxylates described in the U.S. patent. 4,144,226, issued March 13, 1979 to Crutchfield et al., And the US patent. 4,246,495, issued March 27, 1979 to Crutchfield et al., Which are incorporated herein by reference. These polyacetal carboxylates can be prepared by bringing together a glyoxylic acid ester and a polymerization initiator under polymerization conditions. The resulting polyacetal carboxylate ester is then attached to chemically stable end groups to stabilize the polyacetal carboxylate against rapid depolymerization in alkaline solution, converted to the corresponding salt, and added to a detergent composition. Particularly preferred polycarboxylate builders are ether carboxylate builder compositions which comprise a combination of tartrate monosuccinate and tartrate disuccinate described in the US patent. 4,663,071, Bush et al., Issued May 5, 1987, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Bleaching agents and activators are described in the U.S. patent. 4,412,934, Chung et al., Issued November 1, 1983, and in the US patent. 4,483,781, Hartman, issued November 20, 1984, which are incorporated herein by reference. Chelating agents are also described in the U.S. patent. 4,663,071, Bush et al., In column 17, line 54 to column 18, line 68, incorporated herein by reference. Foam modifiers are also optional ingredients, and are described in the US patents. 3,933,672, issued January 20, 1976 to Bartolotta et al., And 4,136,045, issued January 23, 1979 to Gault et al., Which are incorporated herein by reference. Smectite clays suitable for use herein are described in the U.S. patent. 4,762,645, Tucker et al., Issued August 9, 1988, column 6, line 3 to column 7, line 24, incorporated herein by reference. Other builders suitable for use herein are listed in the Baskerville patent, column 13, line 54 to column 16, line 16, and in the U.S. patent. 4,663,071, Bush et al., Issued May 5, 1987, which are incorporated herein by reference.

Optional steps of the procedure An optional step of the process is drying, if it is desired to reduce the moisture level in the agglomerates of the second step. This can be achieved by several apparatuses, well known to those skilled in the art. The fluid bed apparatus is preferred, which will be referred to in the following description.

In another optional step of the present process, the detergent agglomerates emerging from the fluid bed dryer are further conditioned by additional cooling in a cooling apparatus. The preferred apparatus is a fluid bed apparatus. Another optional step of the process involves adding a coating agent to improve the flowability and / or to minimize the over-agglomeration of the detergent composition in one or more of the following points of the present process: (1) the coating agent can be added directly after using the fluid bed cooler or dryer; (2) the coating agent can be added between the fluid bed dryer and the fluid bed cooler; (3) the coating agent can be added between the fluid bed dryer and an agglomeration mixer (i.e., the first mixer or the second mixer in the second step) that is commonly known to those skilled in the art; and / or (4) the coating agent can be added directly to an agglomeration mixer (i.e., the first mixer or the second mixer in the second step) that is commonly known to those skilled in the art, and subsequently the dryer of fluid bed. The coating agent is preferably selected from the group consisting of aluminosilicates, silicates, carbonates, and mixtures thereof. The coating agent not only improves the free fluidity of the resulting detergent composition, which is desirable by consumers, since it allows easy evaluation of the detergent during use, but also serves to control the agglomeration, preventing or minimizing over-agglomeration , especially when added directly to the moderate speed mixer. As experts in the art will know, over-agglomeration can lead to very inconvenient flow properties and esthetics of the final detergent product. Optionally, the method may comprise the step of sprinkling an additional binder in the mixers of the second step of the present invention or fluid bed dryers and / or fluid bed coolers. A binder is added for the purpose of improving agglomeration by providing a "binder" or "adherent" agent for the detergent components. The binder is preferably selected from the group consisting of water, anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, liquid silicates, polyethylene glycol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyacrylates, citric acid, and mixtures thereof. Other suitable binding materials including those included herein are described in Beerse et al., U.S. No. 5,108,646 (Procter &Gamble Co.), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Other optional steps contemplated by the present method include atomizing the oversized detergent agglomerates in an atomizing apparatus which can take various forms including, but not limited to, conventional screens selected for the desired particle size of the finished detergent product. Other optional steps include conditioning the detergent agglomerates by subjecting them to further drying, by the apparatus described above.

Another optional step of the present process is to finish the resulting detergent agglomerates by various methods including spraying and / or mixing other conventional detergent ingredients. For example, the finishing step encompasses the spraying of perfumes, brighteners and enzymes onto the finished agglomerates to provide a more complete detergent composition. Said techniques and ingredients are well known in the art. Representative examples of the series of mixers that make it possible to obtain the granular detergent compositions according to the process of the present invention, more optional procedures, are the following: A. (a) hardening of the paste by means of a twinworm extruder, then (b) agglomeration in (1) Lódige model CB (the first mixer), (2) flexomic model Schugi (the second mixer), (3) sizing in a Mogensens sizer to remove particles larger than 4.5 mm, (4) drying in a fluid bed dryer, (5) cooling in a fluid bed cooler, (6) sizing in a Mogensen sizer to remove particles of more than 1.2 mm, (7) crushing to reduce the oversized agglomerates of the sizers, and (8) feeding of the basic agglomerates to the fluid bed dryer or fluid bed cooler or CB Lodige mixer; B. (a) hardening of the paste by twinworm extruder, then (b) agglomeration in (1) the CB Lódige model (the first mixer), (2) the Schugi flexomic model (the first of the "second mixer") , (3) Lddige KM model (the second of the "second mixer") (4) sizing on a Mogensen sizer to remove particles greater than 4.5 mm, (5) drying in a fluid bed dryer, (6) cooling in a fluid bed cooler, (7) sizing in a Mogensen sizer to remove particles larger than 1.2 mm, (8) shredding to reduce the oversized agglomerates of the sizers, and (9) feeding the basic agglomerates to the dryer. fluid bed or fluid bed cooler or CB Lódige mixer. C. (a) hardening of the paste by twinworm extruder, then (b) agglomeration in (1) the CB Lodige model (the first mixer), (2) the KM Lodige model (the first of the "second mixer") , (3) the Schugi flexomic model (the second of the "second mixer") (4) sizing in a Mogensen sizer to remove particles larger than 4.5 mm, (5) drying in a fluid bed dryer, (6) cooling in a fluid bed cooler, (7) sizing in a Mogensen sizer to remove particles larger than 1.2 mm, (8) shredding to reduce the oversized agglomerates of the sizers, and (9) feeding the basic agglomerates to the dryer. fluid bed or fluid bed cooler or CB Lódige mixer. The details of the agglomeration process for making low density detergent granules which may be preferred examples of the present invention are described in co-application No. JA162F (filed October 4, 1996), which was filed the same day in that the present invention was presented. In order to make the present invention more easily understood, reference is made to the following examples, which are intended to be illustrative only and not to be limiting of the present invention.

V invention.

EXAMPLES The following example was made at a fixed scale.

EXAMPLE 1 The following is an example for obtaining agglomerates using twinworm extruder (TSE) and the CB Lodige mixer (CB-30), followed by the fluid bed dryer (FBD), the fluid bed cooler (FBC), and then sizing The 251 kg of aqueous coconut fatty sulfate alcohol surfactant paste (72% active) is mixed with 5 g of hydrophilic silica in the twinworm extruder (S2 KRC Krimoto Kneader). As a result, a solid mass of the hardened paste having a penetration value of about 75 g / f is obtained.

Then, the 200 g of the solid mass is added by the pin tools of a CB-30 mixer together with the 203 g of lightweight granulated STPP, the 224 g of micronized sodium carbonate (average particle size of 10 - 20 microns). ) and the 250 g of recirculated fine particles. The solid mass 5 is fed at about 56 ° C, and the powders are fed to V room temperature. The conditions of the CB-30 mixer are as follows: Average residence time: 12 seconds Peak speed: 8 to 10 m / s Energy condition: 1.29 kj / kg • 3 10 After agglomeration, the bed temperature of the FBD it is maintained between 40 and 60 ° C, and the temperature of the bed of the BCF is maintained between 15 and 30 ° C. Then, the resulting agglomerates are sized in a rotating apparatus to remove particles measuring more than 1.18 mm or less than 150 μm. 15 The resulting granules have a density of approximately 490 g / l.

EXAMPLE 2 The following is an example for obtaining agglomerates using twinworm extruder (TSE) and the CB Lódige mixer (CB-30), followed by the fluid bed dryer (FBD), the fluid bed cooler (FBC), and then sizing The 251 kg of aqueous coconut fatty sulfate alcohol surfactant paste (72% active) is mixed with 10 g of hydrophilic silica in the twinworm extruder (S2 KRC Krimoto Kneader). As a result, a solid mass of the hardened paste having a penetration value of about 100 g / f is obtained. Then, the 250 g of the solid mass is added by the pin tools of a CB-30 mixer together with the 203 g of lightweight granulated STPP, the 224 g of micronized sodium carbonate (average particle size of 10 - 20 microns). ) and the 250 g of recirculated fine particles. The solid mass is fed at about 48 ° C, and the powders are fed at room temperature. The conditions of the CB-30 mixer are as follows: Average residence time: 12 seconds Peak speed: 8 to 10 m / s Energy condition: 1.78 kj / kg After agglomeration, the bed temperature of the FBD is maintained between 40 and 60 ° C, and the bed temperature of the BCF is maintained between 15 and 30 ° C. Then, the resulting agglomerates are sized in a rotating apparatus to remove particles measuring more than 1.18 mm or less than 150 μm. The resulting granules have a density of approximately 490 g / l. Having thus described the invention in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, and that the latter should not be considered to be limited to what is described in the specification.

Claims (9)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A non-tower method for manufacturing a granular detergent composition having a density of less than 600 g / l, characterized and 'in that it comprises the steps of: (a) mixing an anionic surfactant paste comprising from about 35% to about 85% anionic surfactant and from about 15% to about 65% water with a sufficient amount of a water absorbing material in "10 particles to form a solid mass having a penetration value of about 75 gf to about 4,000 gf; (b) agglomerate the solid mass of step (a) and an amount of one or more other additional detergent ingredients in a blender to produce agglomerates having an anionic surfactant content of about 12% at 15 approximately 60%.

2. The process according to claim 1, further characterized in that the mixer of step (b) is operated under the following conditions to obtain the agglomerates: [average residence time: about 5 to about 30 seconds, tip speed : 20 around 5 to about 22 m / s, power condition: about 0.15 to about 12 kj / kg]

3. The method according to claim 1, further characterized in that said other detergent ingredients are fine powders having a average diameter from 0.1 to 500 microns.

4. The process according to claim 1, further characterized in that said other detergent ingredients are mixtures of fine powders and one or more ingredients selected from the group consisting of secondary surfactants, other liquid components and adjunctive detergent ingredients and mixtures of the same.

5. The process according to claim 3, further characterized in that the fine powders are selected from the group consisting of sodium carbonate, sodium tripolyphosphate, hydrated tripolyphosphate, sodium sulfates, aluminosilicates, layered crystalline silicates, phosphates, precipitated silicates , polymers, carbonates, citrates, nitrilotriacetates (NTA), powdered surfactants, recirculated fine particles of step (b), and mixtures thereof.

6. The process according to claim 4, further characterized in that the other liquid components are selected from the group consisting of liquid silicates, solutions of anionic surfactants, solutions of cationic surfactants, aqueous polymer solutions, non-aqueous polymer solutions, water, and mixtures thereof.

7. The process according to claim 1, further characterized in that the water absorbing material is selected from the group consisting of precipitated hydrophilic silica, aluminosilicates, sodium carbonate, sodium sulfate, sodium citrate, trisodium phosphate, tripolyphosphate sodium (STTP), tetrasodium tripolyphosphate, soda ash, sodium carboxymethylcellulose and quaternary ammonium compounds and mixtures thereof.

8. The process according to claim 1, further characterized in that said paste of anionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of alkylbenzenesulfonates, alkylalkoxy sulfates, alkylethoxylates, alkyl sulfates, coconut fatty alcohol sulfates and mixtures thereof.

9. A granular detergent composition made in accordance with the process of claim 1.