Process for the production of granules suitable as wetting agents, detergents and/or cleaning products

US5519948A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Henkel Limited

Inventors

• Wilfried Raehse · Goldkronach, DE
• Johann F. Fues · Grevenbroich, DE
• Wilhelm Beck · Goldkronach, DE
• Otto Koch · Leichlingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 26, 1994
• Grant date: May 28, 1996
• Expiry date: Oct 26, 2014

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F26B21/04
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process for the production of pourable, free-flowing granules which are suitable for use as wetting agents, detergents or cleaning products from aqueous solutions or suspensions of such materials in a fluidized-bed spray granulation apparatus employing a hot fluidizing gas. The aqueous selections or suspensions are dried with superheated steam as the fluidizing and drying gas wherein the drying step is carried out in a closed-loop system comprising a steam circuit from which the water evaporated from the aqueous solutions or suspensions of starting materials is removed as a partial stream and the thermal energy released is returned to the steam circuit. The granules are discharged from the granulation apparatus before they can be damaged by heat.