| abstract |
A granulated foam regulator suitable for use in surfactant-containing washing and cleaning agents contains an inorganic and/or organic base material and an anti-foaming active substance. In order to obtain a storage-stable foam regulator which does not lose its effectiveness when it is incorporated into a compacted heavy powder, its apparent density is set at a value in a range from 700 g/l to 1100 g/l and its mean grain size is set at a value in a range from 0.7 mm to 3 mm. Less than 6 % by weight of the foam regulator particles have less than 0.4 mm diameter and less than 25 % by weight of the particles have more than 1.6 mm diameter. The foam regulator is produced by extrusion of a homogenous premix of alkali carbonate-containing base material and anti-foaming active substance through perforated moulds with 0.5 mm to 5 mm wide openings, under pressures from 25 bars to 200 bars. After leaving the perforated mould, the extruded hank is cut by a cutting device into lengths that differ by less than 20 % from the diameter of the perforated mould. |