Abstract: A process for manufacturing improved granulated fatty alcohol sulfates. The process includes slowly drying and mechanically mixing the fatty alcohol sulfate.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing detergent powder containing heat-sensitive components is disclosed. The process involves preparation of two separate crutcher slurries, one containing the relatively heat-stable components which is sprayed in a conventional manner and a second containing heat-sensitive components which is sprayed into the spray-drying tower at a level lower than the level at which the drying air is injected. Desirably the second slurry is sprayed in a direction which includes an upward component, so as to lengthen the pathway of the sprayed droplets.

Abstract: A process for making improved synthetic surfactant flakes from a water-wet paste which is dried on a heated roll drum dryer. Hot surfactant flakes are made from drum drying a water-wet paste containing sodium alkyl sulfate (AS), sodium alkyl benzene sulfonate (LAS), and water-soluble inorganic salts, preferably sodium chloride and magnesium chloride blends. The hot flakes are cooled in a low moisture environment having a dewpoint of up to 10.degree. C., e.g., under a dry nitrogen or dry air blanket. The low moisture environment prevents undesirable, insidious hydration and stabilizes the AS/LAS flakes. The stable AS/LAS surfactant flakes can be used to make more economical, more processable, firmer improved surfactant cakes. One advantage is that cakes made with the flakes of this invention can contain larger amounts of perfume than cakes made with comparable AS/LAS flakes cooled above said dewpoint.

Abstract: A process for producing a granular detergent composition containing a surface active agent, a zeolite, an alkali metal silicate, and other detergent builder is described. This granular detergent composition is produced by either (1)(a) preparing an aqueous slurry containing, as a dispersing medium, the surface active agent;(b) bubbling a gas into the aqueous slurry to form a slurry containing bubbles having an average bubble diameter of 40 through 100 microns and having a specific gravity of 0.7 through 0.

Abstract: A low density spray dried product such as a detergent having a central body in the form of an irregular-shaped bead with a plurality of nodules or arms extending in a cruciform manner outwardly thereof.