GB571145A - Improvements in or relating to the production of soap - Google Patents

Abstract

571,145. Manufacture of soap; saponaceous compositions. COLGATE-PALMOLIVE-PEET CO. Feb. 24, 1943, Nos. 3029 and 3030. Convention dates, March 25, 1942. [Class 91] In the manufacture of soap by the saponification of a fatty acid ester of a lower alkyl monohydric alcohol in a saponification zone, the liberated alcohol being removed by distillation, the reaction mixture is flashed into a zone at a pressure below that of the saponification zone to effect distillation of the alcohol. Sub-atmospheric to super-atmospheric pressures may be used. One form of the method is to force the reaction mixture through a heated pipe; the temperature and pressure in the pipe may be cyclically varied to create increased turbulence therein. The reaction mixture may be contacted throughout the reaction vessel or just prior to admission to the flash chamber with a heated inert gas, such as superheated steam, to effect heat economy, &c. The esters used are those of alcohols of 1 to 6 carbon atoms and of fatty acids of preferably 12 to 20 carbon atoms. Mixtures may be used and of a list given the following are exemplified: ethyl and methyl esters of coconut oil fatty acids, olive oil fatty acids and tallow fatty acids, and amyl esters of garbage grease fatty acids. Monoesters of polyhydric alcohols may be used in admixture therewith. Besides the usual caustic alkali saponifying agent, other organic and inorganic bases are listed, such as pyridine, methyl morpholine, and amines. The latter may be in other than aqueous solution or anhydrous. The soap mixture obtained is subjected to the usual cooling prior to extrusion, spraying, atomizing into compressed air, drum drying, &c., to form bars, granules, hollow particles, flakes, &c. The temperature and pressure in the reaction vessel or the flash chamber or the cooling of the soap mixture may be controlled to allow of the retention of part of the alcohol, water, or saponifying agent solvent in the soap product. A long list is given of suitable adjuvants which may be added to the soap, either with the soap-making ingredients or after its production. This includes other soaps, builders, softening agents, fillers, antiseptics, preservatives, medicated agents, abrasives, gums and solvents.