A continuous process for preparing granular detergent composition including
a first step of dry neutralizing an acid precursor of an anionic
surfactant with a particulate water-soluble alkaline material in a high
speed mixer for a mean residence time of about 0.2 to about 50 seconds,
thereby partly or totally neutralizing the acid precursor and producing a
dry neutralized material containing the anionic surfactant, in the form of
a free-flowing powder; and a second stop of agglomerating the free-flowing
powder into a detergent agglomerate using an agglomeration binder. The
agglomeration binder is preferably a viscous surfactant paste binder. The
resulting agglomerates are dry, free-flowing, and have a substantially
more narrow particle size distribution, compared to the free-flowing
powder, with reduced fine particles and over-sized particles that
generally are recycled.
