Granular detergent compositions containing deflocculating polymers and

Abstract

The present invention provides for concentrated, granular detergent compositions comprising a mixture of: a) from about 15 to about 50% by weight of a surfactant; b) at least one detergent builder; c) from about 0.01 to about 7.5% by weight of a deflocculating polymer composition containing polymer chains of the structure P-QR, wherein P represents a polymer chain segment of a hydrophilic polymer, and QR represents a hydrophobic end-cap group wherein R is an organic hydrophobic radical containing from about 4 to 28 carbon atoms, and Q is selected from the group consisting of O, CO.sub.2, S, SO, SO.sub.2, NR', PO.sub.4 R', PO.sub.3 R', Si OR'R', Si R'R', CR'OH, CR'R' and CR'OR' wherein R' and R' are each hydrogen, an alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or an aryl group; and d) water. The addition of the deflocculating polymer to a crutcher slurry prior to drying the slurry retards the propensity of the lamellar surfactant droplets dispersed in the slurry to flocculate, particularly where the droplets occupy a higher volume ratio as the result of high concentrations of surfactant present in the detergent. The resultant slurry exhibits a significantly reduced viscosity which renders it more readily pumpable in a spray drying process.