Builder Formulation

Dissolve KOH in water. Slowly add Buncosperse LP while agitating. Keep temperature below 180F. Add TKPP and stir until dissolved. Add Bunco NPS-816, then Star Grade Sodium Silicate and blend until uniform. 

Use levels are 6-12 ounces per 100 pounds, depending on soil loading, temperature, etc. 

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Hlkanolamides. The fatty acid alkanolamides are used widely ia shampoo formulations as viscosity and lather builders. They are formed by the condensation of a fatty acid with a primary or secondary alkanolamine. The early amides were compositions of 2 1 alkanolamine to fatty acid. Available technology allows the formation of amides with a 1 1 ratio of these additives. These amides are classified as superamide types. The typical amide used ia shampoo preparations usually contains the mono- or diethanolamine adduct, eg, lauric diethanolamide [120-40-1] (see Amides, fatty acid). 

A commercial bacterial cellulose product (CeUulon) was recently introduced by Weyerhaeuser (12). The fiber is produced by an aerobic fermentation of glucose from com symp in an agitated fermentor (13,14). Because of a small particle diameter (10 P-m), it has a surface area 300 times greater than normal wood cellulose, and gives a smooth mouthfeel to formulations in which it is included. CeUulon has an unusual level of water binding and works with other viscosity builders to improve their effectiveness. It is anticipated that it wiU achieve GRAS status, and is neutral in sensory quaUty microcrystaUine ceUulose has similar attributes. 

The efforts of the detergent industry toward solution of its part of the eutrophication problem are, at this point, less complete than its response to the biodegradabihty problem. Soda ash, Na2C02, sodium siUcate, and, to a lesser extent, sodium citrate formed the basis of the early formulations marketed in the areas where phosphates were harmed. Technically, these substances are considerably less effective than sodium tripolyphosphate. As a precipitant builder, soda ash can lead to undesirable deposits of calcium carbonate on textiles and on washing machines. 

The information presented in this chapter is intended to provide a brief overview of the composition, performance, and formulation properties of LAS by itself and in combination with other surfactants. The particular performance synergies and processing characteristics of certain combinations of surfactants are discussed briefly. The examples of mixed active formulations provided herein represent to the best of the author s knowledge the approximate levels of major surfactants in actual household detergent products both past and present. This does not imply that these formulations are complete because many additives, such as bleaches, enzymes, builders, hydrotropes, thickeners, perfumes, and coloring agents, may also be present in varying amounts. 

The cost/performance factor of individual surfactants will always be considered in determining which surfactants are blended in a mixed active formulation. However, with the recent advent of compact powders and concentrated liquids, other factors, such as processing, density, powder flowability, water content, stabilization of additives, dispersibility in nonaqueous solvents, dispersion of builders, and liquid crystalline phase behavior, have become important in determining the selection of individual surfactants. 

Typically the formulation may contain up to 60% active with builder salts and a water level of about 30-40% [52]. The weight ratio of LAS/AE may range from 1.5 1 up to 4 1. The combination of LAS and AE is especially effective for two reasons. First, LAS and AE interact strongly to form the lamellar phase liquid crystals. Second, both ingredients can be introduced into the liquid formulation as a 95 + % active liquid to control the amount of water going into the formulation. LAS can be introduced into the formulation as sulfonic acid and neutralized in situ. 

Other examples of concentrated laundry liquids have been described in the literature [53]. These might be called nonaqueous or low-water formulations. They may contain nonionic and anionic surfactants, inorganic builders, enzyme and bleach additives, and an organic solvent such as a low mole AE [54]. Surfactant levels may range from 30% up to 80%. In some cases, the builder salts are dispersed as solid particles in the non-aqueous phase [55]. 

Ether carboxylates are used not only in powdered detergents but in liquid laundry detergents for their hard water stability, lime soap dispersibility, and electrolyte stability they improve the suspension stability and rheology of the electrolyte builder [130,131]. Formulations based particularly on lauryl ether carboxylate + 4.5 EO combined with fatty acid salt and other anionic surfactants are described [132], sometimes in combination with quaternary compounds as softeners [133,163]. Ether carboxylates show improved cleaning properties as suds-controlling agents in formulations with ethoxylated alkylphenol or fatty alcohol, alkyl phosphate esters or alkoxylate phosphate esters, and water-soluble builders [134]. 

This strategy has resulted in entirely new formulations with remarkable benefits. Sustainable Earth (SE) cleaning products combine reagents determined to be safer for human and environmental health with a positively characterized hybrid surfactant system containing a stabilized oxidizing compound. This system eliminates conventional ingredients such as alkyl glycol ethers, alkali builders, alkylphenol ethoxylates, EDTA and ethanolamine. 

Surfactants, builders, and bleaches are quantitatively the major components of modern detergents the auxiliary agents discussed in this section are introduced only in small amounts, each to accomplish its own specific purpose. Their absence from current detergent formulations is difficult to imagine. 

Zeolites have an enormous impact on our daily lives, both directly and indirectly. For example, upstream hydrocarbons such as aromatics and olefins are produced using zeolite catalysts. The aromatics or olefins are then separated from the reaction mixtures using zeolite adsorbents. The purified components produced by these zeolite-based methods are then used in downstream processes to produce products that we use daily, such as clothes, furniture, foods, construchon materials and materials to build roads, automobile parts, fuels, gasoline, etc. In addihon to the indirect impacts mentioned above, zeolites also have a direct impact on our daily lives. For example, zeolites are used as builders in detergent formulations. 

Changes in the use of builders resulting from environmental concerns have been pushing surfactant production demand. Outright legal bans or consumer pressures on the use of inorganic phosphates and other materials as builders generally have led formulators to raise the contents of... 

Neat soap may or may not be blended with other products before flaking or powdering. Neat soap is sometimes filtered to remove gel particles and run into a reactor (crutcher) for mixing with builders. After thorough mixing, the finished formulation is run through various mechanical operations to produce flakes and powders. Because all of the evaporated moisture goes to the atmosphere, there is no wastewater effluent. 

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