Importance

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Abstract

Gelation, setting, and solidification of desirably miscible and pumpable aqueous crutcher slurries of sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate and sodium silicate are retarded or prevented by admixing of the sodium silicate component of the medium, as an aqueous solution, concurrently with gaseous carbon dioxide, with a slurry of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate in water. During such addition the pH of the slurry is desirably controlled so as to be about 9.9. Although pressurized liquid carbon dioxide is normally employed as a source of the gas, it is within the invention to utilize solid carbon dioxide (dry ice) or liquid carbon dioxide directly, and pieces, particles and droplets thereof may be added to the crutcher mix, wherein they will vaporize quickly. The crutcher slurries may be spray dried and the resulting products are useful as base materials for absorbing nonionic detergent applied to them in liquid state, to produce a particulate heavy duty synthetic organic detergent composition.

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First Claim