Abstract: A spray-dried amorphous alkali metal silicate compound which provides multiple-cycle washing performance. The silicate compound has a molar ratio of M2O to SiO2 of 1:1.5 to 1:3.3 wherein M represents an alkali metal. The compound contains 0.5 to less than 30% by weight of anionic surfactant and has an absorption capacity for liquid components which is at least 20% higher than that of the same quantity of the alkali metal silicate compound which is free from anionic surfactant.

Abstract: A spray-dried amorphous alkali metal silicate compound which provides multiple-cycle washing performance. The silicate compound has a molar ratio of M2O to SiO2 of 1:1.5 to 1:3.3 wherein M represents an alkali metal. The compound contains 0.5 to less than 30% by weight of anionic surfactant and has an absorption capacity for liquid components which is at least 20% higher than that of the same quantity of the alkali metal silicate compound which is free from anionic surfactant.

Abstract: A spray-dried amorphous alkali metal silicate compound which provides multiple-cycle washing performance. The silicate compound has a molar ratio of M2O to SiO2 of 1:1.5 to 1:3.3 wherein M represents an alkali metal. The compound contains 0.5 to less than 30% by weight of anionic surfactant and has an absorption capacity for liquid components which is at least 20% higher than that of the same quantity of the alkali metal silicate compound which is free from anionic surfactant.

Abstract: A process for producing a particulate amorphous alkali metal silicate having a molar ratio of M.sub.2 O to SiO.sub.2 of 1:1.5 to 1:3.3 bya) spray-drying an aqueous mixture of amorphous alkali metal silicate,b) impregnating the spray-dried amorphous alkali metal silicate with an aqueous dispersion or solution of detergent composition components containing at least one organic component, andc) optionally drying the impregnated amorphous alkali metal silicate.

Abstract: A spray-dried particulate detergent composition containinga) 3% to 20% by weight of anionic surfactant,b) 0 to 2% by weight of nonionic surfactant,c) 20% to 65% by weight of inorganic builders, based on water-free active substance, selected from carbonates, hydrogen carbonates and silicate-based builders, andd) 0 to 25% by weight of neutral salts, based on the weight of the spray-dried composition, wherein the spray-dried composition has been aftertreated with nonionic surfactant. The composition has favorable dispensing and solubility properties.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simultaneously washing a plurality of generally tubular or sock-like filtering elements of a gas filtering apparatus without removing the elements from the apparatus, the filter elements being disposed in a regular array of rows and columns within a housing between an inlet and an outlet thereof. The method includes positioning in the housing a liquid conduit having a plurality of axially spaced spray nozzles for delivering washing liquid along one or more rows of elements and supplying washing liquid to the conduit.