Builders bleach formulations

A detergent composition is a formulated mixtiure of raw materials that can be classified into different types based on their properties and function in the finished product. The different classes of raw materials are surfactants, builders, bleaching agents, enaymes, and minors. Although simple products, such as window cleansers, contain raw materials of only two classes, more sophisticated formulations contain all of them. Atypical example of a highly sophisticated product is a laimdry powder detergent. 

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. 

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]. 

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. 

Modem detergent products are complex mixtures of many different ingredients. Typical formulations consist of surfactants, builders, and other additives designed to maximize performance for the consumer while maintaining reasonable raw material and manufacturing costs. Typical detergent formulations contain multiple surfactant types to optimize performance and product stability.21,22 Performance additives such as bleaches, bleach activators,... 

A builder that has been studied as a possible phosphate replacement is sodium citrate. The structure of the citrate trianion is shown in Figure 9.4. Several properties of sodium citrate restrict its use in LADD formulations. First, it is incompatible with hypochlorite, precluding its use in most LADD compositions. It is also inferior to STPP in its sequestration efficiency for calcium ions. Finally, it is almost three times more expensive than STPP. This combination renders citrate unsuitable as a replacement for STPP. In Europe, where the different wash conditions allow for the use of milder peroxygen bleaches or enzymes and the water is presoftened, citrate-built products are possible. 

Liquid detergent process patents frequently define both compositional and process requirements, such as raw material concentrations and specifications, order of addition of critical components, thermal history, premix or adjuvant preparation methods, product/process stabilizers, distributive and dispersive mixing requirements, and process instrumentation. These patents apply to the production of primary raw material constituents, such as surfactants, builders, conditioning agents, rheology regulators, hydrotropes, disinfectants, bleach additives, etc., in addition to the specification of fully formulated detergent systems. 

Carbopol resins are used to thicken the product to reduce splashing, provide cup retention in the dishwasher, and create a stable suspension of insolubles (i.e. phosphate builders) in this ADL formulation containing chlorine bleach. 

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