Builders, detergent processes

Sodium tripolyphosphate (STP) was commercially available in the mid-1940s and had replaced TSPP because of its superior detergent processing, solubility, and hardness ion-sequestering characteristics. Sequestration is defined as the reaction of a cation with an anion to form a soluble complex. The sequestration of Ca and Mg " ions leads to softened water and is the most important function of any detergent builder [3, 4]. 

The primary function of builders in the detergency process is to tie up the hardness ions, Ca2+ and Mg2+, which are naturally found in water. They also provide other valuable benefits including maintaining the alkalinity of the wash solution, functioning as antiredeposition and soil dispersing agents and, in some cases, as corrosion inhibitors [80-84],... 

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. 

Uses Foam builder, detergent for It. and heavy-duty cleaners, textile processing ... 

Uses Foam builder, detergent for It.- and heavy-duty high-foaming detergenL agric. fonnulations stabilizer, emulsifierfor n. latexes, for high temp, processes solubilizer for alkylaryl sulfonates adhesives in toed pkg. 

There are numerous further appHcations for which maleic anhydride serves as a raw material. These appHcations prove the versatiHty of this molecule. The popular artificial sweetener aspartame [22839-47-0] is a dipeptide with one amino acid (l-aspartic acid [56-84-8]) which is produced from maleic anhydride as the starting material. Processes have been reported for production of poly(aspartic acid) [26063-13-8] (184—186) with appHcations for this biodegradable polymer aimed at detergent builders, water treatment, and poly(acryHc acid) [9003-01-4] replacement (184,187,188) (see Detergency). 

In wool-scouring systems for textile processing that contain nonionic surfactants, sodium chloride acts as a tme builder, ie, detergency promoter. 

Detergency is mainly affected by the concentration and stmcture of surfactant, hardness and builders present, and the nature of the soil and substrate. Other important factors include wash temperature length of time of washing process mechanical action relative amounts of sod, substrate, and bath, generally expressed as the bath ratio, ie, the ratio of the bath weight to substrate weight and rinse conditions. 

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. 

However, the ability to act as a builder encompasses much more than so far been mentioned. Builders influence the coagulation of solid soil, often form a buffer system, and promote the soil suspending activity of washing liquors. They are further able to reduce the catalytic effect of ferric and manganic ions. Thus they support the stabilization of peroxides in detergents. Similarly, rancidness caused by catalytic processes of soap and fragrances can be avoided. 

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. 

In this segment of the processing, the neutralized sulfonates and/or sulfates are first blended with builders and additives in the crutcher. The slurry is then pumped to the top of a spray tower of about 4.5-6.1 m (15-20 ft) in diameter by 45-61 m (150-200 ft) in height, where nozzles spray out detergent slurry. A large volume of hot air enters the bottom of the tower and rises to... 

Nonionic surfactants, as mentioned previously, have been widely adopted due to their characteristics and properties and, in particular, because they do not require the presence of undesirable phosphate or caustic builders in detergent formulation. However, the relatively lesser degree of biodegradability is an important disadvantage of the nonionic surfactants compared to the ionic ones. Adsorption on activated carbon and various types of clay particles is, therefore, one of the processes that has been effective in removing heterodisperse nonionic... 

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