Page 34 - Microsoft Word - Sulfo and Sulfa 1.doc

Figure 29. Turbo Tube™ Drying System

STEAM

NEUTRALIZED STEAM
DETERGENT
SLURRY STEAM
WATER (OR
SURGE PREHEATER VOLATILE
TANK COMPONENTS)
HOT CONDENSATE TO VACUUM SYSTEM
WATER FLASH
TANK
FEED
PUMP PLODDER
DRY PRODUCT
WALL SCRAPER CWS
CWR

bleach conditions. The use of the methanol prevents this and makes it possible to bleach
the methyl ester to a color of less than 50 Klett in a single step, without using sodium
hypochlorite. It simultaneously keeps the disalt levels below 5% on an active basis.

The SASME product leaving the neutralizer contains approximately 65 to 70% solids and
10 to 20% methanol. Methanol and water are removed from this material in the Turbo
Tube Dryer, separated and recycled back to the process. The dried SASME is pumped
TM
from the dryer and cooled. The "needle" making apparatus forms the material into small
uniform particles ("needles") containing less than 0.5% methanol and less than 5.0%
water. This system is also applicable to processing other detergent actives such as
alcohol sulfates or linear alkylbenzene sulfonates into dry detergent needles.

Page 33 of 36 © 1997 The Chemithon Corporation