Indian Patents. 208232:A COMPACTED GRANULAR PRODUCT (G) OF MIXTURE AND A PROCESS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME

Title of Invention	A COMPACTED GRANULAR PRODUCT (G) OF MIXTURE AND A PROCESS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME
Abstract	The present invention relates to a compacted granular product (G) of a mixture of (A) at least one water-soluble dye or optical brightener, (B) extender and (E) a dust-binding oil. The product optionally comprises (C) at least one hydrophilic surfactant and (D) further additives and both. The present invention also relates to a process for the production of granular compacts (G)

Full Text	For the selling of dyes and optical brighteners, these substances are commonly formulated to specific concentrations of active substance and in a most readily usable form. Water-soluble dyes and/or optical brighteners can be formulated, for example, in liquid form as concentrated solutions or dispersions, which offers certain advantages in terms of the metering of the products but which on the other hand entails the handling of a large amoxmt of liquid on transportation and storage, which not only occupies transport and storage volume but also, should the containers suffer any damage and the liquid formulation run out, leads to the corresponding consequences. In order to avoid these problems as far as possible, the said water-soluble dyes or optical brighteners can be formulated also as dry products, for example as powders, granules or shaped compacts (tabletted/briquetted or spherical/pelletized). The pulverulent products are often not sufficiently free-flowing and/or tend strongly towards dusting and, occasionally, to accretion as well, which when the containers are handled and the products are used to prepare the corresponding dyeing or brightening baths may lead to corresponding instances of contamination and product loss. To reduce these disadvantages granules have been prepared, principally hollow spheres (via atomizer) or built-up granules, especially fluidized-bed granules. Although there is less dusting with these granules, the mutual abrasion of the individual particles or the bursting of the hollow spheres in the course, for example, of transportation, transfer, etc., may likewise result in powder or dust, so that again when handling the products a certain level of dusting may be caused and/or downwards-flowing abraded powder accumulates in the bottom part of the container and, consequently, the consistency of the product in the container as a whole is not uniform. Fluidized-bed granules, although they do not share with the hollow spheres the disadvantage that they may burst, are fairly laborious to prepare: for the preparation of the fluidized-bed granules the products along with at least a portion of the additives must be admixed with water and then dried in a fluidized-bed granulator, which may have an adverse effect on thermally unstable products as a result, for example, of the heating, and may in addition be disadvantageous for those products which may become tacky under such conditions. Owing to the relatively large amount of voids in the individual grain of the structured granules, a fairly large proportion of any dustproofing agent added penetrates into the voids before an effective amount thereof is present on the exterior surface of the granule. If to circumvent these problems the dyes or brighteners are then formed as coarsely granular compacts (briquettes or pellets, with a size, for example, of from 3 to 10mm) there may occur the disadvantage of a reduced and irregular rate of dissolution of the active substance in the compacts, with the additional possibility again of powder and dust forming in the packaged dye as a result of capping of the particles. It lias now been found that granules of water-soluble dyes or optical brighteners, obtainable by dry compaction (densification), especially by means of roll presses, and granulation, as are described and defined below, are notable for their stability and rate of dissolution and for their low dust content even after repeated transportation and transfer of the drums or packs, it being possible to avoid the laborious mixing with water and evaporation required for fluidized-bed granules. The invention relates to the compacted granular products, their production and their use. As active substance, i.e. as component (A), in the granular product (G) of the invention it is possible to employ any desired water-soluble dyes or optical brighteners, especially dyes or optical brighteners which are soluble at room temperature (= 20°C) and in water to at least 1 g/1' and are soluble to at least 5 g/1 under application conditions. The following dye and brightener groups may be mentioned in particular as (A): (Al) anionic dyes containing at least one water-solubilizing anionic substituent, especially at least one sulphonic acid group or carboxylic acid group, preferably in salt form (alkali metal salt and/or ammonium salt), or at least one metal complex group or at least one thiolate or oxolate group. Such dyes or optical brighteners are general knowledge in the 1 art and are widely described in the technical literature, in particular as direct dyes, acid dyes, reactive dyes, mordant dyes, development dyes, vat dyes and sulphur dyes, e.g. the designations under which they appear in the Colour Index, the water-soluble form of the vat dyes being the leuco form, and the water-soluble form of the sulphur dyes likewise being the leuco sulphur dye form or also the Bunte salt form. For the granulation of the invention particular preference is given among these to the direct dyes, the acid dyes and the reactive dyes (including metal complexes), which contain at least one, preferably two or more water-solubilizing substituents, especially sulpho groups, per molecule; some metal complex dyes are of sufficient solubility in water even without such substituents. (A2) Dyes with a cationic character which contain at least one quaternary ammonium group or * protonated or protonizable amino group (for example even as part of a heterocycle) and which, if they contain two or more cationic substituents, may also include one or more anionic substituents. Dyes of this kind are likewise known in the art and described widely in the technical literature, for example in the Colour Index under the designation "Basic Dyes". (A3) Water-soluble, nonionic dyes whose molecule contains water-solubilizing groups and substituents, principally carbamoyl groups and sulphamoyl groups, which may be substituted or unsubstituted. (A4) Water-soluble optical brighteners. These can be anionic or cationic brighteners which comprise water-solubilizing anionic substituents, principally sulpho groups, or cationic substituents, principally quaternary ammonium groups or protonated or unprotonated amino groups or nitrogen-containing basic heterocycles. The optical brighteners are also well known in the art and widely described in the technical literature, for example in the Colour Index under the designation "Fluorescent Brighteners". The dyes or optical brighteners (A) can be employed in the form in which they have been prepared, following filtration and, if desired, washing of the filter cake and drying, or also as powders. The water-soluble dyes and optical brighteners can if desired be purified or desalinated by membrane filtration, in the form of their salt-containing solutions and/or their solutions containing by-products, and in the form of the purified concentrated solutions can be combined with (B) and, if desired, (C) and/or (D), and then dried. If (A) is obtained in highly pure form and/or, if any by-products present and/or any salt content hailing from the preparation are not disruptive in the end product, the dyes and/or optical brighteners (A) -directly in the solutions in which they have been formed or after dissolving the filter cake in water under suitable pH and temperature conditions - can be combined as required with (B) and preferably (C) and, if desired, (D) and then dried. It is also possible to paste up the filter cake with a solution containing (B) and/or preferably (C) and, if desired, (D) and then to dry the resulting aqueous mixture. Drying is preferably carried out first, in the presence or absence of (B) and/or (C), followed by mixing with the remaining components, or the press cake is mixed with the optional further additives (B), (C) and/or (D). As extender (B) come principally into consideration: (Bl) electrolytic extenders, in particular salts, pnincipally alkali metal salts, magnesium salts and/or ammonium salts of mineral acids or low-molecular-mass aliphatic carboxylic acids (e.g. C2-6), examples being chlorides, sulphates* carbonates or phosphates, preferably lithium, sodium or potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, sodium sulphate (e.g. as Glauber's salt), sodium or potassium carbonate and, especially as buffer substances, mono- or disodium phosphate and/or mono- or dipotassiuxn phosphate; (B2) non-electrolytic extenders, especially nonionic extenders, examples being oligo- or polysaccharides (e.g. dextrins), amids, polyglycerols, polyvinyl alcohols, polyethylene glycols (Carbowaxes) having a molecular weight > 300, especially in the range from 600 to 2000, polyvinylpyrrolidones and, optionally, urea. Salts of type (Bl) may (at least in part) already result from in the preparation of water-soluble dyes or optical brighteners, especially sodium chloride and/or Glauber* s salt, and/or can be added as extender components. Nonionic additives of type (B2) are particularly suitable when water-soluble dyes and/or optical brighteners have been obtained in substantially salt-free form (for example, by membrane filtration or by acidification and/or extraction). Depending on the desired concentration of water-soluble dye and/or optical brightener in (G), the content of (B) in (G) may vary. The weight ratio (B)/(A) is, for example, in the range from 1/100 to 9/1, especially from 1/50 to 5/1 and, preferably, in the range from 1/10 to 2/1. tonicity of the surfactants is arbitrary; in particular (CI) non-ionogenic surfactants, especially adducts of ethylene oxide and, if desired, propylene oxide with aromatic and/or aliphatic hydroxy, carboxy or carbamoyl compounds which contain at least one lipophilic hydrocarbon radical, the lipophilic radicals being, for example, aliphatic radicals having 9 to 24, preferably 12 to 20 carbon atoms, as are derived, for example, from corresponding fatty acids, or being alkyl-substituted phenyl radicals which as substituents carry one or two alkyl radicals having a total of 4 to 18 carbon atoms, especially one or two C4-9-alkyl radicals or one C$-i2-alkyl radical, as are derived from corresponding alkyl-substituted phenols, or styrylphenol Mention may be made in particular of: adducts of ethylene oxide and, if desired, propylene oxide with fatty alcohols, alkylphenols, fatty acids, fatty acid amides, fatty acid diethanolamides or diisopropanol-amides, fatty acid mono- or diglycerides, sorbitan mono- or di-fatly-acid esters or castor oil. The number of moles of ethylene oxide per mole of hydroxy compound is suitably chosen such that the resulting surfactant is markedly hydrophilic in nature, preferably with an HLB > 7, for example in the range from 7 to 16, preferably from 8 to 14. If adduct formation takes place with propylene oxide as well, its amount is judiciously chosen so as not to impair the hydrophilic nature of the surfactant, preferably such that the ethyleneoxy units predominate over the propyleneoxy units. Before all are preferred fatty acid polyglycolesters and adducts of ethylene oxide with fatty alcohols and alkylphenols. (C2) Anionactive surfactants, especially those which comprise at least one hydrophilic anionic group, for example a sulphonic acid or sulphuric ester group, a phosphonic acid or phosphoric ester group or a carboxylic acid group, and in which the lipophilic radicals contain, for example, 7 to 24 carbon atoms, or also derive from unsubstituted or substituted naphthalenesulphonic acids and/or benzene compounds. Examples which may be mentioned are as follows: alkylbenzenesulphonates, alkylphenol sulphates and mono- or dialkyl-substituted sulphosuccinates in which the alkyl radicals contain, for example, 1 to 18, preferably 1 to 12 carbon atoms, C^-alkanesulphonic acids, C9.24 fatty alcohol sulphates, ligninsulphonatcs, sulphated castor oil, petroleum sulphonates, C13-16 paraffin sulphonates, condensation products of formaldehyde with unsubstituted or mono- or di-C1-4-alkyl-substituted naphthalenesulphonic acids and, optionally, phenols and/or sulphonated phenols, toluenes, diphenyl ether and/or ditolyl ether, fatty acids (soaps) or also sulphated, phosphated or carboxymethylated derivatives of non-ionogenic surfactants of the type (CI). The anionic surfactants are preferably in the form of their alkali metal salts, magnesium salts or ammonium salts, most simply as sodium salts, potassium salts or amihonium salts. (C3) Cationactive surfactants, for example those which contain at least one lipophilic radical as defined above and at least one primary, secondary or tertiary basic amino group, which may be protonated, or a quaternary ammonium group. Examples which may be mentioned are fatty amines or fatty aminoalkylamines, which following reaction with epichlorohydrin may have been alkylated with methyl, benzyl and/or ethyl, and/or may have been reacted with ethylene oxide and, if desired, propylene oxide, and which may have been quaternized; acylation products of alkylenediamines, dialkylenetriamines or trialkylenetetramines or of hydroxyalkylalkylenediamines which comprise at least one basic nitrogen and which may have been alkylated and/or reacted with ethylene oxide and, if desired, propylene oxide and which may have been quaternized; the alkylene chains between two nitrogen atoms contain, for example, 2 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably 2 or 3 carbon atoms, the hydroxyalkyl radicals are, for example, ethanol or isopropanol; acylation products of ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine or ethylene-propylenetriamine can if desired be cyclized to the corresponding imidazolines, and the basic nitrogen of the imidazoline ring can, if desired, be quaternized. Since dyes (or optical brighteners) and surfactants of opposite ionicity may tend to precipitate each other, preferred combinations are between anionic dyes or optical brighteners and anionic surfactants and/or non-ionogenic surfactants, and between dyes or optical brighteners of cationic or basic character and cationic surfactants and/or non-ionogenic surfactants. Optionally it is also possible to employ mixtures of non-ionogenic surfactants with anionactive or cationactive surfactants. The weight ratio of the surfactants (C) to the dye or brightener (A) is, for example, in the range from 0.01/100 to 100/100, advantageously in the range from 0.05/100 to 50/100 and, preferably, in the range from 0.1/100 to 10/100, 1 As additives (D) come into consideration other formulating additives, in particular the commonly known substances as can be added, in particular, as preservatives, primarily for the formulations, or formulating assistants, primarily for stock solutions or baths, especially (Dl) fungicides, bactericides and/or defoamers, (D2) solubilizers and (D3) builders. As fungicides and bactericides (Dl) come into consideration in general known products, e.g. commercially available products, which may be employed in the respective recommended concentrations. As defoamers (Dl) come also into consideration in general known products, e.g. commercially available products, which may be employed in the respective recommended concentrations. As (D2) come into consideration in general known products having solubilizer properties, including, for example, those specified below under (El). As (D3) come into consideration conventional complexing agents as can be used to bind ions which form hardness in water, and iron ions in aqueous baths, primarily aminopolycarboxylic acids, aminopolymethylenephosphonic acids or polymeric carboxylic acids, for example nitrilo-triacetic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid or -penta-methylenephosphonic acid, (co)poly(meth)acrylic acids and (meth)acrylic acid/maleic acid copolymers, which are employed advantageously in alkali metal salt form (preferably sodium salt form). The components (D) can be present in (G) in small amounts, as are customary for dye formulations, relative to (G), for example in the range from 0 to 10, primarily from 0 to 5 per cent by weight. The content of preservative and defoamer (Dl) in (G) is, for example, in the range from 0 to 2 per cent by weight; the content of solubilizer (D2) in (G) is, for example, in the range from 0 to 5 per cent by weight - if (D2) are employed, from 0.2 to 2 per cent by weight, based on (G)5 are preferably present; the weight ratio (D2)/(A) in this case is advantageously in the range from 0.004/1 to 0.2/1; the content of (D3) in (G) is, for example, in the range from 0 to 5 % by weight. 1 1 Based on the sum of (A) + (B) + (C) + (D) (which is set here = 100 %) the content of (A) is advantageously > 10 % by weight, primarily in the range from 10 to 80 per cent by weight, preferably from 20 to 75 per cent by weight; the content of (C) is advantageously in the range from 0.1 to 10 per cent by weight, preferably from 0.2 to 4 per cent by weight; the content of (D) is advantageously in the range from 0 to 5 per cent by weight; and the content of (B) is the remainder to 100 per cent by weight. The weight ratios of components (B), (C) and (D2) to (A) are advantageously within the ranges stated above. Components (A), (B) and, if desired, (C) and, if present, (D) can be combined with one another in dissolved form and then dried prior to compaction (densification), or - preferably -components (C) and, if present, (D) can also be combined with dried (A) and (B) or else mixed with a moist filter cake containing (A) and (B) and then, if required, can be dried prior to compaction or densification. By dry product is meant herein, in general, a product which contains Component (E) is suitably added after the drying stage, in particular even after the compaction stage and even after the adjustment of the particle size. According to a particular feature of the invention (Dl) may also be added after adjustment of the particle size. Products suitable as (E) are viscous, water-soluble products, and oils which are not water-soluble per se, in the presence, for example, of appropriate emulsifiers. Particularly suitable as (E) are: (El) low-molecular-mass polyols, e.g. diols or triols, in particular having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, or their mono-lower-alkyl ethers, e.g. glycerol, C2_6-alkylene glycols, oligo-(C2^-alkyl-ene) glycol ethers and Cj^-alkyl rnonoethers thereof, preferably mono- or dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether; (E2) polyethylene glycols having an average molecular weight £ 150, for example in the range from 150 to 900, with preference being given to the liquid grades, especially those with an average molecular weight in the range from 170 to 600; (E3) hydrophobic oils, which may be combined, for example, with an emulsiiying surfactant system, examples being hydrocarbon oils (primarily aliphatic and/or araliphatic oils, e.g. paraffin oil, mineral oil and/or phenylalkanes) in combination with emulsifying surfactants, for example the abovementioned surfactants, examples being fatty acids and/or soaps; triglycerides, which may have been hydrogenated, e.g. palm oil, castor oil or coconut oil and may likewise be combined with surfactants as set out above, or also fatliquoring oils, as are otherwise used for the fatliquoring of leather, and which may have been at least partly modified for emulsifiability by, for example, hydrolysis, transesterification and/or introduction of sulpho groups (by sulphation, sulphitation or ~ sulphonation). The products (El) and (E2) are in general water-soluble, The products (E3) are advantageously combined with sufficient surfactant, or hydrophilically modified to such a degree, that they are self-emulsifiable in water. To emulsify the hydrophobic oils the corresponding emulsifiers are employed in effective amounts, suitably in amounts which are sufficient for the respective oils to be emulsified by simply pouring the oil/emulsifier mixture into water, and/or at least in amounts such that the oils adhere to the dry granules without smearing, i.e. act as interface-active agents between the oily phase and the solid phase (granule). Surfactants advantageously employed are those as set out above under (C). Their quantitative ratio to the oils is, for example, in the range from 0.01/1 to 1/1, advantageously from 0.02/1 to 0.5/1 and, preferably, from 0.03/1 to 0.2/1. In another embodiment of the invention, the oils (E3) are not combined with surfactants. If a surfactant-containing oil (E3) is employed as (E) it is possible, if desired, to add at least some of the surfactants (C) in the form of (E). If desired, all of the surfactant (C) can be added in the form of (E3). In one embodiment of the invention the substance employed as (E) comprises those mixtures (E3) in which the oil is a hydrocarbon oil or a mixture of hydrocarbon oils which also has a foam-inhibiting effect, so that it may be possible to omit any separate addition of a defoamer as (PI)- The dust-binding additives (E) are judiciously employed in an effective amount. The granular products (G) contains, for example, from 0.05 to 10 per cent by weight of (E), advantageously from 0.1 to 6 % by weight of (E) and, preferably, from 01 to 3 % by weight of (E). The dry mixture of (A) and (B) and also, if added - at least in part - prior to compaction, (C) and, if desired, (D) can be compacted by means of conventional pressure compaction machines, examples being trace presses or, preferably, roll presses, where the dry product to be compacted is fed in advantageously by means of a worm (filling screw). It is particularly advantageous to use apparatus in which the material to be compacted is fed in by a worm between the press rolls, so that precompaction takes place in the worm and further compaction is carried out between the press rolls. The compacting action can be influenced by the nature and fitment of the apparatus, primarily by the nature of the rolls and, in particular, by the pressure between the rolls, and it is judicious to choose the appropriate rolls, preferably corrugated rolls, eg, sheet-producing rolls with finely to coarsely corrugated roll surfaces (fine-corrugated rolls are preferred in accordance with the invention). The diameter of the rolls may vary depending on the size of the assembly, e.g. in the range of 12 cm to 1 in, it being mostly possible to achieve satisfactory yields already with rolls of a diameter in the range of 12 to 50 cm, e.g. with rolls of a diameter preferably in the range from 12 to 30 cm, especially 25 cm, or even higher, in particular 35 cm. The roll pressure in the press-roll devices is advantageously > 0.4 t/cmRL and can vary widely e.g. in the range from 0.4 to 18 t/cmRL (t/cmRL = tonnes per cm of roll length), for a roll diameter of 152 mm, the roll pressure changing in proportion to the roll diameter in accordance with the equation in which di is the diameter of the roll 1, d2 is the diameter of the roll 2, k is a constant typical for the system, pi is the roll pressure for the roll 1 and p2 is the corresponding roll pressure for the roll 2. The constant k is in general ca. = I or deviates little from 1. Mostly k = 1 can be taken for calculation. For the preparation of the granular compacts (G) of the invention, preference is given to roll pressures (referred to a roll diameter of 152 cm) 0,6 t/cmRL, preferably in the range from 0.6 to 3 t/cmRL (referred to a roll, diameter of 152 cm)* it being possible to produce granular products (G) of outstanding quality already at roll pressures £ 2 t/cmRL. In an advantageous procedure the density of the compacted product (slug or sheet density) is as high as possible, especially £ 1 g/cm3 in the form as yet untreated with (E). Compaction takes place advantageously without external supply of heat except, if appropriate, vr for the endogenous heat generated by the pressure of compaction; this may give rise to a temperature increase of up to 30°C, for example, preferably The strand (from a stuffer) or sheet or slug (from press rolls) which result from compaction are then comminuted in an appropriate granulator, optionally after coarse fractionation of the strand or sheet (or slug), and the onsize granules of the desired particle size) is separated from any undersize and/or oversize granules with a particle size finer or coarser than the desired particle size); in particular, it is screened through 2 or more sieves to the desired onsize. The sieves (or sieve inserts) are chosen such that the particle size of the onsize is within the desired range, primarily in the range from 0.1 to 3 mm, with any oversize retained in the first sieve being passed back for comminution and the undersize which has passed through the last sieve being passed back for (pre)compaction. The compacted granular products (G) of the invention are advantageously small- to medium-sized, preferably of a granule size 0.3 mm, in particular in the range of 0.3 to 1.2 ram, preferably 0.3 to 1 mm, with particular preference 0.4 to 1 mm. The granulators are advantageously chosen so as to give granules which do not exceed the maximum particle size. 1 Dry compaction/granulation can be carried out in known machines. Examples of suitable machines are compacting machines of Compactor series K ("Kompaktor Baureihe K") from BEPEX GmbH (Leingarten, Germany) or compacting/granulating machines of type WP 50/75, WP170V Pharma or WP 150/250 or WP 150/250V from ALEXANDERWERK AG (Remscheid, Germany). The granulator may include, or be followed by, a system for removing fine dust. By removing fine dust, which may form when shhets or slugs break and/or are granulated, it is possible to reduce the required or optimum amount of (E) to a minimum, e.g. Treatment with (E) takes place suitably following separation of the onsize from undersize and oversize. Advantageously, the granulated product is sprayed with (E) and, at the same time and/or thereafter, is mixed with (E) in order to improve the distribution and combination of (E) on the granule surface. The overall apparatus can have a composition such that the compactor (preferably a pair of pressure rollers with worm-type precompactor) leads directly to the granulating apparatus (granulator with or without pregranulator, and attached sieving unit for separating the onsize from oversize and undersize), and the exit for onsize material leads to the mixing apparatus for combination with (E). The resulting granular product (G) treated with (E) can be stored, for example, in a silo from which the respective containers for conveying the granules can then be filled, examples being drums (e.g. metal drums or containers made from cardboard or chipboard) or tanks (e.g. road tankers or tanks suitable for rail transport). By taking appropriate precautions, which are known per se, the entire process of compaction, granulation, recycling of undersize and, if present, oversize, etc., can be carried out substantially without dust, and in particular continuously, by conducting the process in appropriately sealed apparatus and using appropriate dust-collecting filters operating, for example, with reduced pressure. The granular compacts (G) of the invention are notable for their low dust content and stability on transportation and storage, and feature an optimum, or sufficient, rate of dissolution, as is suitable for use in dyeing operations. They can be prepared very simply and economically and have the advantage that the particularly high bulk density of the product (e.g. > 0.5 g/cm3, especially 0.8 to 1.2 g/cm3) entails a minimum of transport and storage volume. There may be produced granular compacts (G) of particularly high bulk density, e.g. distinctly higher than 0.5 g/cm3, in particular distinctly higher than 0.55 g/cm3, e.g. up to 1.2 g/cm3, principally in the range of 0.7 to 1.2 g/cm3, preferably 0,8 to 1 g/cm3. Of particular relevance is the possibility of producing granular products (G) the bulk density of which e.g. above 0.7 g/cm3, advantageously above 0.8 g/cm3. The products (G) are notable for their low dust content and their free-flowability, even after prolonged storage, repeated transfer and/or transportation (shaking storage), which represents also a marked improvement in the meterabttity of the product. The granular compacts (G) of the invention can be dissolved directly by pouring them into water, with stirring; their rate of dissolution is such that with gentle stirring they dissolve in water within a short period, better than the corresponding powder. They are also easier to wet, show practically no caking when scattered in and, consequently, offer better metering possibilities. The preferred small-size particle granular products of the invention, especially those with a particle size scatter over the entire range from 0.3 to 1 mm, especially also 0.4 to 1.2 mm, exhibit an optimum combination of bulk density and rate of dissolution, so that when the product is poured onto the solution water the individual granules, directly or after a very brief period of floatation on the surface of the water, sink into the solution water and in doing so dissolve, with an optimum homogeneous solution of the dye or brightener being obtained very rapidly with gentle stirring. In this way it is possible with the minimum of effort and the maximum of effect to prepare stock solutions and reinforcing baths; it is also possible directly to prepare concentrated impregnating baths and inks, and also printing pastes or even dyeing or brightening baths. For the dyeing or optical brightening of paper after sheet-formation, the dyes or optical brighteners can likewise be added directly to the dyeing or brightening bath with an appropriate high rate of dissolution. By the granulation of the invention the dyeing properties of the active substances (A) are practically not impaired, it being possible to operate in a substantially dust-free procedure, which is of particular value for the continued cleanliness of the apparatus and immediate surroundings, and permits the dyer to work in an environment which is practically free from dye dust, using relatively small volumes of dry dye. In the following examples parts and percentages are by weight; the temperatures are indicated in degrees Celsius. The compacting/granulating machines are those from the company ALEXANDERWERK AG (Remscheid, Germany). "C.L" stands for "Colour Index"; MkN/cmRLn stands for "kilonewtons per cm of roll length" and "rpm" stands for "revolutions per minute". The dustproofing oil (E31) is a mixture of 93.8 parts of a blend of approximately equal parts of paraffin oil and dodecylbenzene, 5-9 parts of a fatty acid polyglycol ester, with 0.26 part of oleic acid and 0.04 part of diethylaminoethanol. The defoamer (Dll) is a dispersion of 2.4 parts of stearic acid ethylenediamide and 1,2 parts of paraffin with a melting point of 54~56°C in 72 parts of a mineral oil fraction having a boiling point of 325-450°C, with 21 parts of a purified fatty acid polyglycol ester and 2 parts of hexylene glycol. Example 1 100 parts of the filter cake obtained from the synthesis of the blue acid dye C.L Acid Blue 129 (Constitution No. 62058) by salting out with sodium chloride and filtration (and containing 50 % of pure dye as the sodium salt, 30 % of water and 20 % of sodium chloride along with byproducts) are mixed thoroughly with 6 parts of a 35 % solution of the adduct of 10 mol of ethylene oxide with 1 mol of octylphenol, and the resulting mixture is then dried and finely ground. The resulting powder is compacted in a compacting/granulating machine WP 50/75 (roll length 75 mm, roll diameter 152 mm) at a roll pressure of 16.0 kN/cmRL and a rotary speed of 8 rpm to give a slug 2.0 mm thick, and this slug is granulated to give small particulate granules (from 0-3 to 1 mm particle size). The roll throughput is 31 kg/h, the output of onsize 23 kg/h and the proportion of undersize 25.8 %. The undersize is passed back for compaction. The onsize obtained is sprayed and mixed with 0.8 part of dustproofing oil (E31). The resulting compacted granular dye (dye compact) is readily soluble in water and notable for its low dust content, stability on storage and transportation, and speed of dissolution* Example 2 Analogously as described in Example 1, a mixture of 100 parts of a direct dyes mixture of C.L Direct Brown 240, C.L Direct Red 83:1, C.L Direct Blue 90 and C.L Direct Yellow 162 in the weight ratio of 9:5:14:2 with 2 parts of urea, 5.5 parts of lignine sulphonate, 0.4 parts of sulphated oleic acid ester ad 10-15 parts of sodium sulphate is compacted and granulated in the compactor/granulator WP 50/75 and the resulting granules are then sprayed and mixed with t (E31), the roll pressure being 16 kN/cmRL, the rotary speed 8 rpm and the thickness of the resulting slug 4 mm; the roll throughput is 120 kg/h, the output of onsize is 70 kg/h and the proportion of undersize is 41.7 %. The resulting granular product (dye compact) is readily and homogeneously soluble in water and notable for its speed* of dissolution, low dust content, and stability on storage and transportation, and can be employed as a black direct dye. Its bulk density is about twice the one of a corresponding powder, and it is pourable. Example 3 Analogously as described in Example 1 or 2, a mixture of 100 parts of an acid dyes mixture of C.L Acid Blue 278, CI. Acid Blue 225, C.L Acid Violet 47 and CI. Acid Violet 48 in the weight ratio 4.5:3.6:3:1 with 0.2 parts of urea, 1.5 parts of sulphated oleic acid ester and 20 parts of dextrine is compacted and granulated and then sprayed and mixed with (E31), with the roll pressure in the compactor/ granulator WP 50/75 being 14.4 kN/cmRL, the rotary speed 8 rpm, the slug thickness 2 mm, the roll throughput 35 kg/h, the output of onsize 25 kg/h and the proportion of undersize 27.8 %. In the WP 250/150 unit the roll pressure is 24 kN/cmRL, the rotary speed is 14 rpm, the slug thickness is 2.4 mm, the roll throughput is 242 kg/h, the output of onsize is 175 kg/h and the proportion of undersize is 27.8 %. The resulting granular product (dye compact) is readily soluble in water and is notable for its speed of dissolution, low dust content, and stability on transportation and storage, and can be employed as a blue acid dye. Its bulk density is about twice the one of a corresponding powder, and it is pourable. Example 4 The procedure is as described in Example 3 with the difference that in the WP 50/75 unit the roll pressure is 16 kN/cmRL, the slug thickness is 4.8 mm, the roll throughput is 64 kg/h, the output of onsize is 44 kg/h and the proportion of undersize is 31.9 %, or the WP 250/150 unit is operated in the same way as in Example 3 with the difference that the roll pressure is 26.7 kN/cmRL, the slug thickness is 5.8 mm, the roll throughput is 441 kg/h, the output of onsize is 301 kg/h and the proportion of undersize is 31.9 %. Again, a readily soluble granular product (dye compact) is obtained which is notable for its speed of dissolution, and its low dust content and stability on storage and transportation. Example S Analogously as described in Example 4, the black reactive dye CI. Reactive Black 8 is compacted and granulated and then sprayed and mixed with (E31), the roll pressure in the WP 50/75 unit being 16 UN/cmRL, the rotary speed 8 rpm, the slug thickness 4 mm, the roll throughput 100 kg/h, the output of onsize 63 kg/h and the proportion of undersize 37 %. The WP 250/150 unit is operated in an analogous manner, with the roll pressure being 267 kN/cmRL, the rotary speed 14 rpm, the slug thickness 4.8 mm, the roll throughput 691 kg/h, the output of onsize 435 kg/h and the proportion of undersize 37 %♦ The compacted, granulated black reactive dye obtained (dye compact) is notable for its ready solubility and speed of dissolution, and for its low dust content and stability on storage and transportation. Its bulk density is about twice the one of a corresponding powder, and it is pourable. Example 6 Analogously as described in Examples 1 to 5, a mixture of a direct dyes mixture of CI. Direct 83:1, CL Direct Blue 251 and CI. Direct Yellow 162 in the weight ratio 6.6:1:7:1.2 with 2 parts of urea and 0.3 parts of a sulphated oleic acid ester is mixed with such a quantity of sodium sulphate and sodium bicarbonate that in the total mixture the Na2S04-content is 20 % and the NaHCCVcontent is 20%; then the mixture is compacted and granulated in the WP 50/75 unit and then sprayed and mixed with (E31), the roll pressure being 12 kN/cmRL, the rotary speed 8 rpm, the slug thickness 4 mm, the roll throughput 115 kg/h, the output of onsize 68 kg/h and the proportion of undersize 41.37 %. An analogous procedure is carried out in the WP 250/150 unit, with the roll pressure being 20 kN/cmRL, the rotary speed 14 rpm, the slug thickness 48 mm, the rbll throughput 794 kg/h, the output of onsize 466 kg/h and the proportion of undersize being 41.3%- The resulting compacted granular product (dye compact) of the black direct dye is readily soluble in water and notable for its speed of t' dissolution, low dust content, and stability on storage and transportation, and it can be employed as a black direct dye. Its bulk density is about twice the one of a corresponding powder, and it is pourable. I i 92 parts of the filter cake obtained fiom the synthesis of the red reactive dye C.L Reactive Red 190 by salting out with sodium chloride, filtration and pressing off (comprising 67 % pure dye as die sodium salt, 25 % of water and 8 % of sodium chloride, together with by-products) are stirred up with 70 parts of water, 10 parts of a refined sodium ligninsulphonate of high molecular mass, 8 parts of sodium sulphate and 5 parts of urea are added, and the mixture is stirred together until homogeneous. Via spray drying a powder is obtained which contains about 7% water. This powder is compacted in a compacting/granulating machine type WP 50/75 (roll length 75 mm; roll diameter 152 mm) at a roll pressure of 11 kN/cmRL and a i rotary speed of 8 rpm, to give a slug 3.0 mm thick, and this slug is granulated to give small particulate granules (0.3-1.0 mm particle size). The ouptut of onsize is about 35 kg/h, the proportion of undersize is about 34 % of the total amount and is passed back for recompaction (separation by screening and sifting). 1 part of a dustproofing oil (E31) is then sprayed onto 99 parts of the resulting onsize, and mixed. The resulting granular dye (dye compact) is i notable for its outstandingly;low dust content and for its good dissolution properties. No changes occur in these properties even after prolonged storage, for example at room temperature for 6 months or at 40°C for 5 weeks, and after transportation. Owing to its ideal free-flow properties, the granular product can be metered readily using automatic units. The dye in the granular form described above gives dyeings equivalent to those in the powder form. Analogously as with the compacting/granulating machine WP 50/75, the above-described powder can also be compacted and granulated with the compacting/ granulating machine WP 250/150 (roll length = 150 mm, roll diameter = 250 mm), with the roll pressure being 18 kN/cmRL, the rotary speed 14 rpm and the slug thickness 37 mm. The throughput now corresponds to the output of onsize: 240 kg/h; the proportion of undersize is about 34 % of the total amount The granules are subsequently treated as described above. The resulting granular dye (dye compact) is notable for its outstandingly low dust content and good dissolution properties. No changes occur in these properties even after prolonged storage, for example at room temperature for 6 months or at 40°C for 5 weeks, and after transportation. Owing to its ideal free-flow properties the granular dye can be metered readily using automatic units. It gives dyeings equivalent to those of the powder form, i ■ i i ,; s~ 120 parts of the filter cake obtained from thesynthesis of the red reactive dye CX Reactive Red 243 by salting out with sodium chloride, filtration and pressing off (comprising 37 % pure dye as the sodium salt, 53 % of water and 10 % of sodium chloride, together with by-products) are stirred up with 50 parts of water, 17 parts of sodium sulphate (Glauber's salt) and 17 parts of a naphthalenesulphonic acid-fonnaldehyde condensation product are added, and the mixture is stirred together until homogeneous. Following the spray-drying of the suspension, the resulting powder, which contains about 6 % water, is compacted and granulated as described in Example 1, with the slug thickness in the roll compactor WP 50/75 being 4.8 mm, and the output of onsize about 44 kg/h; the proportion of undersize is about 32 % of the total amount and- is passed back for recolmpaction (separation by screening and sifting). The onsize is sprayed and mixed with 2 %'of the dustproofing oil (E31). The compacted granular dye (dye compact) thus obtained is notable for its outstandingly low dust content and good dissolution properties. No changes occur in these properties even after prolonged storage, for example at room temperature for 6 months or at 40°C for 5 weeks, and after transportation. Owing to its ideal free-flow properties the granular dye can be metered readily using automatic units. The dye in the granular form described above gives dyeings equivalent to those in the powder form. Example 9 : ;i i ' The procedure is as in Example 8 except that a further 0.5 part of the defoamer (Dl 1) is added before the suspension is dried. The resulting compacted granular dye (dye compacts) is notable for its outstandingly low dust content and good dissolution properties. No changes occur in these properties even after prolonged storage, for example at room temperature for 6 months or at 40°C for 5 weeks, and after transportation. Owing to its ideal free-flow properties the i :i granular dye can be metered readily using automatic units and, when the granular dye is used in aqueous solution, there is no disruptive foaming. The granular dye gives dyeings equivalent to those of the powder form. Example 10 The filter cake obtained from the synthesis of the red reactive dye C J. Reactive Red 243 by salting out with sodium chloride, filtration; and pressing off (comprising 37 % of pure dye as the sodium salt, 53 % of water and 10 % of sodium chloride along with by-products) is dried and ground. 17parts of sodium sulphate;(Glauber's salt) and 17parts of a naphthalene-sulphonic acid/formaldehyde condensation product are added to 57 parts of this powder (for example in a Nauta mixer), and the components are mixed homogeneously, 0,5 % of the defoamer (Dl 1) is sprayed onto this mixture, and mixed. In the same way as for the; powder of Example 8 and 9 this mixture is then compacted, granulated and treated with the further additives. The resulting compacted granular dye (dye compact) is notable for its outstandingly low dust content and for its good dissolution properties. No changes occur in these properties even after prolonged storage, for example at room temperature for 6 months or at 40°C for 5 weeks, and after transportation. Owing to its ideal free-flow properties, the granular dye can be metered readily using automatic units and, when the granular dye is used in aqueous solution, there is no disruptive foaming. The granular dye give dyeings equivalent to those of the powder form. Example 11 100 parts of the filter cake obtained from the synthesis of the green acid dye C.I Acid Green 40 by filtration and washing with an 8 % strength NaCl solution (the filter cake comprising 51 % of pure dye as the sodium alt, 45 % of water and 4 % of sodium chloride, along with byproducts) are stirred up with 170 parts of water and 10 parts of sodium sulphate (Glauber s salt) and mixed with 3.6 parts of a 35 % strength solution of the adduct of 9 mol of ethylene oxide with 1 mol of nonylphenol. Pye agglomerates are disrupted by wet milling (via a Fryma mill, for example)* This suspension is spray-dried to give a powder containing about 6 % water. This powder is compacted in a compacting/granulating machine type WP 50/75 (roll length 75 mm, roll diameter 152 mm) at a roll pressure of 16.0 kN/cmRL and a rotary speed of 8 rpm to give a slug 2.0 mm thick, and this slug is granulated to give small particulate granules (0.3-1.0 mm particle size). The output of onsize is about 23 kg/h, the proportion of undersize is about 26 % of the total amount and is passed back for recompaction (separation by screening and sifting). 1.5 % of a dusproofing dil (E31) is then sprayed onto the resulting onsize, and mixed. The resulting grammar dye (dye Compact) is notable for its outstandingly low dust content and its good dissolution properties! No changes occur in these properties even after prolonged storage, for example at room temperature for 6 months or at 40°C for 5 weeks, and after transportation. Owing1 to its ideal free-flow properties the granular product can be metered readily using automatic units. It gives dyeings equivalent to those of the powder form. In the following Examples! 12 to 22 the compaction/granulation is carried out on a compacting/granulating machine of the type WP 250/150 V with a roll length of 150 mm and a roll diameter of 250 mm. . The slug thickness of the compacted dye is in each case 2.5 to 3,3 mm. Example 12 A dye according to C.I. Reactive Blue 2141 containing 20 % sodium sulphate as extender, in powder form, which contains as an anionic surfactant 26 % of the sodium salt of a naphthalene sulphonic acid/formaldehyde condensation product with a degree of sulphonation of 80-120 %5 is compacted under the following conditions: roll pressure = 21.7 kN/cm L, rotary speed = 15 rpm, and granulated to a small-particle size granulated product of 0.4-L0 mm. The onsize yield is 200 kg/h. The granulated product is sprayed and mixed with 2.5 % of dedusting oil (E31). The obtained comparted, granular blue reactive dye (dye compact) is notable for its good solubility and speed of dissolution low dust content and stability to storage and transportation. Its bulk density is about twice the one of a corresponding powder, it is pourable and is suitable as hot dyeing dyestuff. Example 13 A powdery reactive dye according to C J. Reactive Blue 79 containing 20 % of sodium sulphate as extender and which contains 34 % of the sodium salt of a naphthalene sulphonic acid/formaldehyde condensation product with a degree of sulphonation of 80-120 %, is compacted at a roll pressure of 20 kN/cmRL and rotary speed of 14 rpm and granulated to a small-size particle-size granular product of 0.4-1.0 mm. The onsize yield is 240 kg/h. The granulated product is sprayed and admixeld with 2% of dedusting oil (E31). The obtained compacted, granular blue dissolution, low dust content and stability neactive dye his notable for its good solubility and speed of on storage and transportation. Its bulk density is about twice the one of a corresponding powder and it is pourable. Example 14 A powdery dye according to CL Reactive Orange 13, which contains 20 % of the sodium salt of a naphthalene sulphonic acid/formaldehyde condensation product with a degree of sulphonation of 80-120 %, is impacted at airoll pressure of 13.3 kN/cmRL and rotary speed of 16 rpm and is granulated to a granular product of 0.4-1.0 mm. The onsize yield is about 200 kg/h. The granular product is sprayed and admixed with 2 % dedusting oil (E31). The obtained compacted, granulated orange reactive dye (dye compact) is notable for its good solubility and speed of dissolution, for its low dust content and for its stability on storage and transportation. Its bulk deniity is about twice the one of a corresponding powder and it is pourable. In the production of printing pastes it distributes as well as the existing powder; due to its perfect pourability it cam be metered excellently with automatic metering systems. Example 15 A dye according to CL Reactive Orange 12 in powder form, which contains 20 % of sodium sulphate as extender and 20 % of the sodium salt of a naphthalene sulphonic acid/formaldehyde condensation product with a degree of sulphonation of 80-120 %, is compacted at a roll pressure of 20 kN/cmRL and a rotary speed of 16 rpm and is granulated to a granular product of 0.4-1.0 mm. The onsize yield is 220 kg/h. The granular product is sprayed with 1.7 % dedusting oil (E31) and mixed. The obtained compacted, granulated, orange reactive dye (dye compact) is notable for its good solubility and speed of dissolution, for its low dust content and for its stability on storage and transportation. Its bulk density is about twice the one of a corresponding powder and it is pourable. Example 16 A dye according to CL Reactive Black 5 ;in powder form, which contains 20 % of sodium II sulphate as extender and 5-15 % of the sodium salt of a naphthalene sulphonic acid/formaldehyde condensation product with a degree of sulphonation of 80-120 %, is compacted at a roll pressure of 18.3 kN/crakL and rotary speed of 15 rpm and granulated to a small particle size granular p roduct of 0 YQ dedusting product is sprayed with 2 granulated black reactive dye (dye compa oil (E31) and mixed. The obtained compacted, X) is notable for its good solubility and speed of 9. Compacted granular product of a mixture substantially as herein described and exemplified. 10. Process for the production of granular compacts of a mixture substantially as herein described and exemplified.

Full Text

For the selling of dyes and optical brighteners, these substances are commonly formulated to specific concentrations of active substance and in a most readily usable form. Water-soluble dyes and/or optical brighteners can be formulated, for example, in liquid form as concentrated solutions or dispersions, which offers certain advantages in terms of the metering of the products but which on the other hand entails the handling of a large amoxmt of liquid on transportation and storage, which not only occupies transport and storage volume but also, should the containers suffer any damage and the liquid formulation run out, leads to the corresponding consequences. In order to avoid these problems as far as possible, the said water-soluble dyes or optical brighteners can be formulated also as dry products, for example as powders, granules or shaped compacts (tabletted/briquetted or spherical/pelletized). The pulverulent products are often not sufficiently free-flowing and/or tend strongly towards dusting and, occasionally, to accretion as well, which when the containers are handled and the products are used to prepare the corresponding dyeing or brightening baths may lead to corresponding instances of contamination and product loss. To reduce these disadvantages granules have been prepared, principally hollow spheres (via atomizer) or built-up granules, especially fluidized-bed granules. Although there is less dusting with these granules, the mutual abrasion of the individual particles or the bursting of the hollow spheres in the course, for example, of transportation, transfer, etc., may likewise result in powder or dust, so that again when handling the products a certain level of dusting may be caused and/or downwards-flowing abraded powder accumulates in the bottom part of the container and, consequently, the consistency of the product in the container as a whole is not uniform. Fluidized-bed granules, although they do not share with the hollow spheres the disadvantage that they may burst, are fairly laborious to prepare: for the preparation of the fluidized-bed granules the products along with at least a portion of the additives must be admixed with water and then dried in a fluidized-bed granulator, which may have an adverse effect on thermally unstable products as a result, for example, of the heating, and may in addition be disadvantageous for those products which may become tacky under such conditions. Owing to the relatively large amount of voids in the individual grain of the structured granules, a fairly large proportion of any dustproofing agent added penetrates into the voids before an effective amount thereof is present on the exterior surface of the granule. If to circumvent these problems the dyes or brighteners are then formed as coarsely granular compacts (briquettes or pellets, with a size, for example, of from 3

to 10mm) there may occur the disadvantage of a reduced and irregular rate of dissolution of the active substance in the compacts, with the additional possibility again of powder and dust forming in the packaged dye as a result of capping of the particles.
It lias now been found that granules of water-soluble dyes or optical brighteners, obtainable by dry compaction (densification), especially by means of roll presses, and granulation, as are described and defined below, are notable for their stability and rate of dissolution and for their low dust content even after repeated transportation and transfer of the drums or packs, it being possible to avoid the laborious mixing with water and evaporation required for fluidized-bed granules.
The invention relates to the compacted granular products, their production and their use.

As active substance, i.e. as component (A), in the granular product (G) of the invention it is possible to employ any desired water-soluble dyes or optical brighteners, especially dyes or optical brighteners which are soluble at room temperature (= 20°C) and in water to at least 1 g/1' and are soluble to at least 5 g/1 under application conditions.
The following dye and brightener groups may be mentioned in particular as (A):
(Al) anionic dyes containing at least one water-solubilizing anionic substituent, especially at least one sulphonic acid group or carboxylic acid group, preferably in salt form (alkali metal salt and/or ammonium salt), or at least one metal complex group or at least one thiolate or oxolate group. Such dyes or optical brighteners are general knowledge in the

1 art and are widely described in the technical literature, in particular as direct dyes, acid dyes, reactive dyes, mordant dyes, development dyes, vat dyes and sulphur dyes, e.g. the designations under which they appear in the Colour Index, the water-soluble form of the vat dyes being the leuco form, and the water-soluble form of the sulphur dyes likewise being the leuco sulphur dye form or also the Bunte salt form. For the granulation of the invention particular preference is given among these to the direct dyes, the acid dyes and the reactive dyes (including metal complexes), which contain at least one, preferably two or more water-solubilizing substituents, especially sulpho groups, per molecule; some metal complex dyes are of sufficient solubility in water even without such substituents.
(A2) Dyes with a cationic character which contain at least one quaternary ammonium group or * protonated or protonizable amino group (for example even as part of a heterocycle) and which, if they contain two or more cationic substituents, may also include one or more anionic substituents. Dyes of this kind are likewise known in the art and described widely in the technical literature, for example in the Colour Index under the designation "Basic Dyes".
(A3) Water-soluble, nonionic dyes whose molecule contains water-solubilizing groups and substituents, principally carbamoyl groups and sulphamoyl groups, which may be substituted or unsubstituted.
(A4) Water-soluble optical brighteners. These can be anionic or cationic brighteners which comprise water-solubilizing anionic substituents, principally sulpho groups, or cationic substituents, principally quaternary ammonium groups or protonated or unprotonated amino groups or nitrogen-containing basic heterocycles. The optical brighteners are also well known in the art and widely described in the technical literature, for example in the Colour Index under the designation "Fluorescent Brighteners".
The dyes or optical brighteners (A) can be employed in the form in which they have been prepared, following filtration and, if desired, washing of the filter cake and drying, or also as powders. The water-soluble dyes and optical brighteners can if desired be purified or desalinated by membrane filtration, in the form of their salt-containing solutions and/or their solutions containing by-products, and in the form of the purified concentrated solutions can be combined with (B) and, if desired, (C) and/or (D), and then dried. If (A) is obtained in highly

pure form and/or, if any by-products present and/or any salt content hailing from the preparation are not disruptive in the end product, the dyes and/or optical brighteners (A) -directly in the solutions in which they have been formed or after dissolving the filter cake in water under suitable pH and temperature conditions - can be combined as required with (B) and preferably (C) and, if desired, (D) and then dried. It is also possible to paste up the filter cake with a solution containing (B) and/or preferably (C) and, if desired, (D) and then to dry the resulting aqueous mixture. Drying is preferably carried out first, in the presence or absence of (B) and/or (C), followed by mixing with the remaining components, or the press cake is mixed with the optional further additives (B), (C) and/or (D).
As extender (B) come principally into consideration:
(Bl) electrolytic extenders, in particular salts, pnincipally alkali metal salts, magnesium salts and/or ammonium salts of mineral acids or low-molecular-mass aliphatic carboxylic acids (e.g. C2-6), examples being chlorides, sulphates* carbonates or phosphates, preferably lithium, sodium or potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, sodium sulphate (e.g. as Glauber's salt), sodium or potassium carbonate and, especially as buffer substances, mono- or disodium phosphate and/or mono- or dipotassiuxn phosphate;
(B2) non-electrolytic extenders, especially nonionic extenders, examples being oligo- or polysaccharides (e.g. dextrins), amids, polyglycerols, polyvinyl alcohols, polyethylene glycols (Carbowaxes) having a molecular weight > 300, especially in the range from 600 to 2000, polyvinylpyrrolidones and, optionally, urea.
Salts of type (Bl) may (at least in part) already result from in the preparation of water-soluble dyes or optical brighteners, especially sodium chloride and/or Glauber* s salt, and/or can be added as extender components. Nonionic additives of type (B2) are particularly suitable when water-soluble dyes and/or optical brighteners have been obtained in substantially salt-free form (for example, by membrane filtration or by acidification and/or extraction).
Depending on the desired concentration of water-soluble dye and/or optical brightener in (G), the content of (B) in (G) may vary. The weight ratio (B)/(A) is, for example, in the range from 1/100 to 9/1, especially from 1/50 to 5/1 and, preferably, in the range from 1/10 to 2/1.

tonicity of the surfactants is arbitrary; in particular
(CI) non-ionogenic surfactants, especially adducts of ethylene oxide and, if desired, propylene oxide with aromatic and/or aliphatic hydroxy, carboxy or carbamoyl compounds which contain at least one lipophilic hydrocarbon radical, the lipophilic radicals being, for example, aliphatic radicals having 9 to 24, preferably 12 to 20 carbon atoms, as are derived, for example, from corresponding fatty acids, or being alkyl-substituted phenyl radicals which as substituents carry one or two alkyl radicals having a total of 4 to 18 carbon atoms, especially one or two C4-9-alkyl radicals or one C$-i2-alkyl radical, as are derived from corresponding alkyl-substituted phenols, or styrylphenol Mention may be made in particular of: adducts of ethylene oxide and, if desired, propylene oxide with fatty alcohols, alkylphenols, fatty acids, fatty acid amides, fatty acid diethanolamides or diisopropanol-amides, fatty acid mono- or diglycerides, sorbitan mono- or di-fatly-acid esters or castor oil. The number of moles of ethylene oxide per mole of hydroxy compound is suitably chosen such that the resulting surfactant is markedly hydrophilic in nature, preferably with an HLB > 7, for example in the range from 7 to 16, preferably from 8 to 14. If adduct formation takes place with propylene oxide as well, its amount is judiciously chosen so as not to impair the hydrophilic nature of the surfactant, preferably such that the ethyleneoxy units predominate over the propyleneoxy units. Before all are preferred fatty acid polyglycolesters and adducts of ethylene oxide with fatty alcohols and alkylphenols.
(C2) Anionactive surfactants, especially those which comprise at least one hydrophilic anionic group, for example a sulphonic acid or sulphuric ester group, a phosphonic acid or phosphoric ester group or a carboxylic acid group, and in which the lipophilic radicals contain, for example, 7 to 24 carbon atoms, or also derive from unsubstituted or substituted naphthalenesulphonic acids and/or benzene compounds. Examples which may be mentioned are as follows: alkylbenzenesulphonates, alkylphenol sulphates and mono- or dialkyl-substituted sulphosuccinates in which the alkyl radicals contain, for example, 1 to 18, preferably 1 to 12 carbon atoms, C^-alkanesulphonic acids, C9.24 fatty alcohol sulphates, ligninsulphonatcs, sulphated castor oil, petroleum sulphonates, C13-16 paraffin sulphonates, condensation products of formaldehyde with unsubstituted or

mono- or di-C1-4-alkyl-substituted naphthalenesulphonic acids and, optionally, phenols and/or sulphonated phenols, toluenes, diphenyl ether and/or ditolyl ether, fatty acids (soaps) or also sulphated, phosphated or carboxymethylated derivatives of non-ionogenic surfactants of the type (CI). The anionic surfactants are preferably in the form of their alkali metal salts, magnesium salts or ammonium salts, most simply as sodium salts, potassium salts or amihonium salts.
(C3) Cationactive surfactants, for example those which contain at least one lipophilic radical as defined above and at least one primary, secondary or tertiary basic amino group, which may be protonated, or a quaternary ammonium group. Examples which may be mentioned are fatty amines or fatty aminoalkylamines, which following reaction with epichlorohydrin may have been alkylated with methyl, benzyl and/or ethyl, and/or may have been reacted with ethylene oxide and, if desired, propylene oxide, and which may have been quaternized; acylation products of alkylenediamines, dialkylenetriamines or trialkylenetetramines or of hydroxyalkylalkylenediamines which comprise at least one basic nitrogen and which may have been alkylated and/or reacted with ethylene oxide and, if desired, propylene oxide and which may have been quaternized; the alkylene chains between two nitrogen atoms contain, for example, 2 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably 2 or 3 carbon atoms, the hydroxyalkyl radicals are, for example, ethanol or isopropanol; acylation products of ethylenediamine, diethylenetriamine or ethylene-propylenetriamine can if desired be cyclized to the corresponding imidazolines, and the basic nitrogen of the imidazoline ring can, if desired, be quaternized.
Since dyes (or optical brighteners) and surfactants of opposite ionicity may tend to precipitate each other, preferred combinations are between anionic dyes or optical brighteners and anionic surfactants and/or non-ionogenic surfactants, and between dyes or optical brighteners of cationic or basic character and cationic surfactants and/or non-ionogenic surfactants.
Optionally it is also possible to employ mixtures of non-ionogenic surfactants with anionactive or cationactive surfactants.
The weight ratio of the surfactants (C) to the dye or brightener (A) is, for example, in the range from 0.01/100 to 100/100, advantageously in the range from 0.05/100 to 50/100 and, preferably, in the range from 0.1/100 to 10/100,

1
As additives (D) come into consideration other formulating additives, in particular the commonly known substances as can be added, in particular, as preservatives, primarily for the formulations, or formulating assistants, primarily for stock solutions or baths, especially
(Dl) fungicides, bactericides and/or defoamers, (D2) solubilizers and (D3) builders.
As fungicides and bactericides (Dl) come into consideration in general known products, e.g. commercially available products, which may be employed in the respective recommended concentrations. As defoamers (Dl) come also into consideration in general known products, e.g. commercially available products, which may be employed in the respective recommended concentrations.
As (D2) come into consideration in general known products having solubilizer properties, including, for example, those specified below under (El).
As (D3) come into consideration conventional complexing agents as can be used to bind ions which form hardness in water, and iron ions in aqueous baths, primarily aminopolycarboxylic acids, aminopolymethylenephosphonic acids or polymeric carboxylic acids, for example nitrilo-triacetic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid or -penta-methylenephosphonic acid, (co)poly(meth)acrylic acids and (meth)acrylic acid/maleic acid copolymers, which are employed advantageously in alkali metal salt form (preferably sodium salt form).
The components (D) can be present in (G) in small amounts, as are customary for dye formulations, relative to (G), for example in the range from 0 to 10, primarily from 0 to 5 per cent by weight. The content of preservative and defoamer (Dl) in (G) is, for example, in the range from 0 to 2 per cent by weight; the content of solubilizer (D2) in (G) is, for example, in the range from 0 to 5 per cent by weight - if (D2) are employed, from 0.2 to 2 per cent by weight, based on (G)5 are preferably present; the weight ratio (D2)/(A) in this case is advantageously in the range from 0.004/1 to 0.2/1; the content of (D3) in (G) is, for example, in the range from 0 to 5 % by weight.

1
1
Based on the sum of (A) + (B) + (C) + (D) (which is set here = 100 %) the content of (A) is advantageously > 10 % by weight, primarily in the range from 10 to 80 per cent by weight, preferably from 20 to 75 per cent by weight; the content of (C) is advantageously in the range from 0.1 to 10 per cent by weight, preferably from 0.2 to 4 per cent by weight; the content of
(D) is advantageously in the range from 0 to 5 per cent by weight; and the content of (B) is the
remainder to 100 per cent by weight. The weight ratios of components (B), (C) and (D2) to (A)
are advantageously within the ranges stated above.
Components (A), (B) and, if desired, (C) and, if present, (D) can be combined with one another in dissolved form and then dried prior to compaction (densification), or - preferably -components (C) and, if present, (D) can also be combined with dried (A) and (B) or else mixed with a moist filter cake containing (A) and (B) and then, if required, can be dried prior to compaction or densification. By dry product is meant herein, in general, a product which contains Component (E) is suitably added after the drying stage, in particular even after the compaction stage and even after the adjustment of the particle size. According to a particular feature of the invention (Dl) may also be added after adjustment of the particle size.
Products suitable as (E) are viscous, water-soluble products, and oils which are not water-soluble per se, in the presence, for example, of appropriate emulsifiers. Particularly suitable as
(E) are:
(El) low-molecular-mass polyols, e.g. diols or triols, in particular having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, or their mono-lower-alkyl ethers, e.g. glycerol, C2_6-alkylene glycols, oligo-(C2^-alkyl-ene) glycol ethers and Cj^-alkyl rnonoethers thereof, preferably mono- or dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether;
(E2) polyethylene glycols having an average molecular weight £ 150, for example in the range from 150 to 900, with preference being given to the liquid grades, especially those with an average molecular weight in the range from 170 to 600;

(E3) hydrophobic oils, which may be combined, for example, with an emulsiiying surfactant system, examples being hydrocarbon oils (primarily aliphatic and/or araliphatic oils, e.g. paraffin oil, mineral oil and/or phenylalkanes) in combination with emulsifying surfactants, for example the abovementioned surfactants, examples being fatty acids and/or soaps; triglycerides, which may have been hydrogenated, e.g. palm oil, castor oil or coconut oil and may likewise be combined with surfactants as set out above, or also fatliquoring oils, as are otherwise used for the fatliquoring of leather, and which may have been at least partly modified for emulsifiability by, for example, hydrolysis, transesterification and/or introduction of sulpho groups (by sulphation, sulphitation or ~ sulphonation).
The products (El) and (E2) are in general water-soluble, The products (E3) are advantageously combined with sufficient surfactant, or hydrophilically modified to such a degree, that they are self-emulsifiable in water. To emulsify the hydrophobic oils the corresponding emulsifiers are employed in effective amounts, suitably in amounts which are sufficient for the respective oils to be emulsified by simply pouring the oil/emulsifier mixture into water, and/or at least in amounts such that the oils adhere to the dry granules without smearing, i.e. act as interface-active agents between the oily phase and the solid phase (granule). Surfactants advantageously employed are those as set out above under (C). Their quantitative ratio to the oils is, for example, in the range from 0.01/1 to 1/1, advantageously from 0.02/1 to 0.5/1 and, preferably, from 0.03/1 to 0.2/1. In another embodiment of the invention, the oils (E3) are not combined with surfactants.
If a surfactant-containing oil (E3) is employed as (E) it is possible, if desired, to add at least some of the surfactants (C) in the form of (E). If desired, all of the surfactant (C) can be added in the form of (E3).
In one embodiment of the invention the substance employed as (E) comprises those mixtures (E3) in which the oil is a hydrocarbon oil or a mixture of hydrocarbon oils which also has a foam-inhibiting effect, so that it may be possible to omit any separate addition of a defoamer as
(PI)-

The dust-binding additives (E) are judiciously employed in an effective amount. The granular products (G) contains, for example, from 0.05 to 10 per cent by weight of (E), advantageously from 0.1 to 6 % by weight of (E) and, preferably, from 0*1 to 3 % by weight of (E).
The dry mixture of (A) and (B) and also, if added - at least in part - prior to compaction, (C) and, if desired, (D) can be compacted by means of conventional pressure compaction machines, examples being trace presses or, preferably, roll presses, where the dry product to be compacted is fed in advantageously by means of a worm (filling screw). It is particularly advantageous to use apparatus in which the material to be compacted is fed in by a worm between the press rolls, so that precompaction takes place in the worm and further compaction is carried out between the press rolls. The compacting action can be influenced by the nature and fitment of the apparatus, primarily by the nature of the rolls and, in particular, by the pressure between the rolls, and it is judicious to choose the appropriate rolls, preferably corrugated rolls, e*g, sheet-producing rolls with finely to coarsely corrugated roll surfaces (fine-corrugated rolls are preferred in accordance with the invention). The diameter of the rolls may vary depending on the size of the assembly, e.g. in the range of 12 cm to 1 in, it being mostly possible to achieve satisfactory yields already with rolls of a diameter in the range of 12 to 50 cm, e.g. with rolls of a diameter preferably in the range from 12 to 30 cm, especially 25 cm, or even higher, in particular 35 cm. The roll pressure in the press-roll devices is advantageously > 0.4 t/cmRL and can vary widely e.g. in the range from 0.4 to 18 t/cmRL (t/cmRL = tonnes per cm of roll length), for a roll diameter of 152 mm, the roll pressure changing in proportion to the roll diameter in accordance with the equation

in which
di is the diameter of the roll 1,
d2 is the diameter of the roll 2,
k is a constant typical for the system,
pi is the roll pressure for the roll 1
and p2 is the corresponding roll pressure for the roll 2.

The constant k is in general ca. = I or deviates little from 1. Mostly k = 1 can be taken for calculation.
For the preparation of the granular compacts (G) of the invention, preference is given to roll pressures (referred to a roll diameter of 152 cm) 0,6 t/cmRL, preferably in the range from 0.6 to 3 t/cmRL (referred to a roll, diameter of 152 cm)* it being possible to produce granular products (G) of outstanding quality already at roll pressures £ 2 t/cmRL. In an advantageous procedure the density of the compacted product (slug or sheet density) is as high as possible, especially £ 1 g/cm3 in the form as yet untreated with (E).
Compaction takes place advantageously without external supply of heat except, if appropriate,
vr
for the endogenous heat generated by the pressure of compaction; this may give rise to a temperature increase of up to 30°C, for example, preferably The strand (from a stuffer) or sheet or slug (from press rolls) which result from compaction are then comminuted in an appropriate granulator, optionally after coarse fractionation of the strand or sheet (or slug), and the onsize granules of the desired particle size) is separated from any undersize and/or oversize granules with a particle size finer or coarser than the desired particle size); in particular, it is screened through 2 or more sieves to the desired onsize. The sieves (or sieve inserts) are chosen such that the particle size of the onsize is within the desired range, primarily in the range from 0.1 to 3 mm, with any oversize retained in the first sieve being passed back for comminution and the undersize which has passed through the last sieve being passed back for (pre)compaction. The compacted granular products (G) of the invention are advantageously small- to medium-sized, preferably of a granule size 0.3 mm, in particular in the range of 0.3 to 1.2 ram, preferably 0.3 to 1 mm, with particular preference 0.4 to 1 mm.
The granulators are advantageously chosen so as to give granules which do not exceed the maximum particle size.

1
Dry compaction/granulation can be carried out in known machines. Examples of suitable machines are compacting machines of Compactor series K ("Kompaktor Baureihe K") from BEPEX GmbH (Leingarten, Germany) or compacting/granulating machines of type WP 50/75, WP170V Pharma or WP 150/250 or WP 150/250V from ALEXANDERWERK AG (Remscheid, Germany). The granulator may include, or be followed by, a system for removing fine dust. By removing fine dust, which may form when shhets or slugs break and/or are granulated, it is possible to reduce the required or optimum amount of (E) to a minimum, e.g. Treatment with (E) takes place suitably following separation of the onsize from undersize and oversize. Advantageously, the granulated product is sprayed with (E) and, at the same time and/or thereafter, is mixed with (E) in order to improve the distribution and combination of (E) on the granule surface.
The overall apparatus can have a composition such that the compactor (preferably a pair of pressure rollers with worm-type precompactor) leads directly to the granulating apparatus (granulator with or without pregranulator, and attached sieving unit for separating the onsize from oversize and undersize), and the exit for onsize material leads to the mixing apparatus for combination with (E). The resulting granular product (G) treated with (E) can be stored, for example, in a silo from which the respective containers for conveying the granules can then be filled, examples being drums (e.g. metal drums or containers made from cardboard or chipboard) or tanks (e.g. road tankers or tanks suitable for rail transport). By taking appropriate precautions, which are known per se, the entire process of compaction, granulation, recycling of undersize and, if present, oversize, etc., can be carried out substantially without dust, and in particular continuously, by conducting the process in appropriately sealed apparatus and using appropriate dust-collecting filters operating, for example, with reduced pressure.
The granular compacts (G) of the invention are notable for their low dust content and stability on transportation and storage, and feature an optimum, or sufficient, rate of dissolution, as is suitable for use in dyeing operations. They can be prepared very simply and economically and have the advantage that the particularly high bulk density of the product (e.g. > 0.5 g/cm3, especially 0.8 to 1.2 g/cm3) entails a minimum of transport and storage volume. There may be produced granular compacts (G) of particularly high bulk density, e.g. distinctly higher than 0.5 g/cm3, in particular distinctly higher than 0.55 g/cm3, e.g. up to 1.2 g/cm3, principally in the

range of 0.7 to 1.2 g/cm3, preferably 0,8 to 1 g/cm3. Of particular relevance is the possibility of producing granular products (G) the bulk density of which e.g. above 0.7 g/cm3, advantageously above 0.8 g/cm3.
The products (G) are notable for their low dust content and their free-flowability, even after prolonged storage, repeated transfer and/or transportation (shaking storage), which represents also a marked improvement in the meterabttity of the product.
The granular compacts (G) of the invention can be dissolved directly by pouring them into water, with stirring; their rate of dissolution is such that with gentle stirring they dissolve in water within a short period, better than the corresponding powder. They are also easier to wet, show practically no caking when scattered in and, consequently, offer better metering possibilities. The preferred small-size particle granular products of the invention, especially those with a particle size scatter over the entire range from 0.3 to 1 mm, especially also 0.4 to 1.2 mm, exhibit an optimum combination of bulk density and rate of dissolution, so that when the product is poured onto the solution water the individual granules, directly or after a very brief period of floatation on the surface of the water, sink into the solution water and in doing so dissolve, with an optimum homogeneous solution of the dye or brightener being obtained very rapidly with gentle stirring. In this way it is possible with the minimum of effort and the maximum of effect to prepare stock solutions and reinforcing baths; it is also possible directly to prepare concentrated impregnating baths and inks, and also printing pastes or even dyeing or brightening baths. For the dyeing or optical brightening of paper after sheet-formation, the dyes or optical brighteners can likewise be added directly to the dyeing or brightening bath with an appropriate high rate of dissolution.
By the granulation of the invention the dyeing properties of the active substances (A) are practically not impaired, it being possible to operate in a substantially dust-free procedure, which is of particular value for the continued cleanliness of the apparatus and immediate surroundings, and permits the dyer to work in an environment which is practically free from dye dust, using relatively small volumes of dry dye.

In the following examples parts and percentages are by weight; the temperatures are indicated in degrees Celsius. The compacting/granulating machines are those from the company ALEXANDERWERK AG (Remscheid, Germany). "C.L" stands for "Colour Index"; MkN/cmRLn stands for "kilonewtons per cm of roll length" and "rpm" stands for "revolutions per minute". The dustproofing oil (E31) is a mixture of 93.8 parts of a blend of approximately equal parts of paraffin oil and dodecylbenzene, 5-9 parts of a fatty acid polyglycol ester, with 0.26 part of oleic acid and 0.04 part of diethylaminoethanol. The defoamer (Dll) is a dispersion of 2.4 parts of stearic acid ethylenediamide and 1,2 parts of paraffin with a melting point of 54~56°C in 72 parts of a mineral oil fraction having a boiling point of 325-450°C, with 21 parts of a purified fatty acid polyglycol ester and 2 parts of hexylene glycol.
Example 1
100 parts of the filter cake obtained from the synthesis of the blue acid dye C.L Acid Blue 129 (Constitution No. 62058) by salting out with sodium chloride and filtration (and containing 50 % of pure dye as the sodium salt, 30 % of water and 20 % of sodium chloride along with byproducts) are mixed thoroughly with 6 parts of a 35 % solution of the adduct of 10 mol of ethylene oxide with 1 mol of octylphenol, and the resulting mixture is then dried and finely ground. The resulting powder is compacted in a compacting/granulating machine WP 50/75 (roll length 75 mm, roll diameter 152 mm) at a roll pressure of 16.0 kN/cmRL and a rotary speed of 8 rpm to give a slug 2.0 mm thick, and this slug is granulated to give small particulate granules (from 0-3 to 1 mm particle size). The roll throughput is 31 kg/h, the output of onsize 23 kg/h and the proportion of undersize 25.8 %. The undersize is passed back for compaction. The onsize obtained is sprayed and mixed with 0.8 part of dustproofing oil (E31). The resulting compacted granular dye (dye compact) is readily soluble in water and notable for its low dust content, stability on storage and transportation, and speed of dissolution*
Example 2
Analogously as described in Example 1, a mixture of 100 parts of a direct dyes mixture of C.L Direct Brown 240, C.L Direct Red 83:1, C.L Direct Blue 90 and C.L Direct Yellow 162 in the weight ratio of 9:5:14:2 with 2 parts of urea, 5.5 parts of lignine sulphonate, 0.4 parts of sulphated oleic acid ester ad 10-15 parts of sodium sulphate is compacted and granulated in the compactor/granulator WP 50/75 and the resulting granules are then sprayed and mixed with

t
(E31), the roll pressure being 16 kN/cmRL, the rotary speed 8 rpm and the thickness of the resulting slug 4 mm; the roll throughput is 120 kg/h, the output of onsize is 70 kg/h and the proportion of undersize is 41.7 %.
The resulting granular product (dye compact) is readily and homogeneously soluble in water and notable for its speed* of dissolution, low dust content, and stability on storage and transportation, and can be employed as a black direct dye. Its bulk density is about twice the one of a corresponding powder, and it is pourable.
Example 3
Analogously as described in Example 1 or 2, a mixture of 100 parts of an acid dyes mixture of C.L Acid Blue 278, CI. Acid Blue 225, C.L Acid Violet 47 and CI. Acid Violet 48 in the weight ratio 4.5:3.6:3:1 with 0.2 parts of urea, 1.5 parts of sulphated oleic acid ester and 20 parts of dextrine is compacted and granulated and then sprayed and mixed with (E31), with the roll pressure in the compactor/ granulator WP 50/75 being 14.4 kN/cmRL, the rotary speed 8 rpm, the slug thickness 2 mm, the roll throughput 35 kg/h, the output of onsize 25 kg/h and the proportion of undersize 27.8 %. In the WP 250/150 unit the roll pressure is 24 kN/cmRL, the rotary speed is 14 rpm, the slug thickness is 2.4 mm, the roll throughput is 242 kg/h, the output of onsize is 175 kg/h and the proportion of undersize is 27.8 %. The resulting granular product (dye compact) is readily soluble in water and is notable for its speed of dissolution, low dust content, and stability on transportation and storage, and can be employed as a blue acid dye. Its bulk density is about twice the one of a corresponding powder, and it is pourable.
Example 4
The procedure is as described in Example 3 with the difference that in the WP 50/75 unit the roll pressure is 16 kN/cmRL, the slug thickness is 4.8 mm, the roll throughput is 64 kg/h, the output of onsize is 44 kg/h and the proportion of undersize is 31.9 %, or the WP 250/150 unit is operated in the same way as in Example 3 with the difference that the roll pressure is 26.7 kN/cmRL, the slug thickness is 5.8 mm, the roll throughput is 441 kg/h, the output of onsize is 301 kg/h and the proportion of undersize is 31.9 %. Again, a readily soluble granular product (dye compact) is obtained which is notable for its speed of dissolution, and its low dust content and stability on storage and transportation.

Example S
Analogously as described in Example 4, the black reactive dye CI. Reactive Black 8 is compacted and granulated and then sprayed and mixed with (E31), the roll pressure in the WP 50/75 unit being 16 UN/cmRL, the rotary speed 8 rpm, the slug thickness 4 mm, the roll throughput 100 kg/h, the output of onsize 63 kg/h and the proportion of undersize 37 %. The WP 250/150 unit is operated in an analogous manner, with the roll pressure being 267 kN/cmRL, the rotary speed 14 rpm, the slug thickness 4.8 mm, the roll throughput 691 kg/h, the output of onsize 435 kg/h and the proportion of undersize 37 %♦
The compacted, granulated black reactive dye obtained (dye compact) is notable for its ready solubility and speed of dissolution, and for its low dust content and stability on storage and transportation. Its bulk density is about twice the one of a corresponding powder, and it is pourable.
Example 6
Analogously as described in Examples 1 to 5, a mixture of a direct dyes mixture of CI. Direct
83:1, CL Direct Blue 251 and CI. Direct Yellow 162 in the weight ratio 6.6:1:7:1.2 with 2
parts of urea and 0.3 parts of a sulphated oleic acid ester is mixed with such a quantity of
sodium sulphate and sodium bicarbonate that in the total mixture the Na2S04-content is 20 %
and the NaHCCVcontent is 20%; then the mixture is compacted and granulated in the
WP 50/75 unit and then sprayed and mixed with (E31), the roll pressure being 12 kN/cmRL,
the rotary speed 8 rpm, the slug thickness 4 mm, the roll throughput 115 kg/h, the output of
onsize 68 kg/h and the proportion of undersize 41.37 %. An analogous procedure is carried out
in the WP 250/150 unit, with the roll pressure being 20 kN/cmRL, the rotary speed 14 rpm, the
slug thickness 4*8 mm, the rbll throughput 794 kg/h, the output of onsize 466 kg/h and the
proportion of undersize being 41.3%- The resulting compacted granular product (dye
compact) of the black direct dye is readily soluble in water and notable for its speed of
t' dissolution, low dust content, and stability on storage and transportation, and it can be
employed as a black direct dye. Its bulk density is about twice the one of a corresponding powder, and it is pourable.

I i
92 parts of the filter cake obtained fiom the synthesis of the red reactive dye C.L Reactive Red 190 by salting out with sodium chloride, filtration and pressing off (comprising 67 % pure dye as die sodium salt, 25 % of water and 8 % of sodium chloride, together with by-products) are stirred up with 70 parts of water, 10 parts of a refined sodium ligninsulphonate of high molecular mass, 8 parts of sodium sulphate and 5 parts of urea are added, and the mixture is stirred together until homogeneous. Via spray drying a powder is obtained which contains about 7% water. This powder is compacted in a compacting/granulating machine type WP 50/75 (roll length 75 mm; roll diameter 152 mm) at a roll pressure of 11 kN/cmRL and a
i
rotary speed of 8 rpm, to give a slug 3.0 mm thick, and this slug is granulated to give small
particulate granules (0.3-1.0 mm particle size). The ouptut of onsize is about 35 kg/h, the
proportion of undersize is about 34 % of the total amount and is passed back for recompaction
(separation by screening and sifting). 1 part of a dustproofing oil (E31) is then sprayed onto
99 parts of the resulting onsize, and mixed. The resulting granular dye (dye compact) is
i notable for its outstandingly;low dust content and for its good dissolution properties. No
changes occur in these properties even after prolonged storage, for example at room
temperature for 6 months or at 40°C for 5 weeks, and after transportation. Owing to its ideal
free-flow properties, the granular product can be metered readily using automatic units. The
dye in the granular form described above gives dyeings equivalent to those in the powder form.
Analogously as with the compacting/granulating machine WP 50/75, the above-described powder can also be compacted and granulated with the compacting/ granulating machine WP 250/150 (roll length = 150 mm, roll diameter = 250 mm), with the roll pressure being 18 kN/cmRL, the rotary speed 14 rpm and the slug thickness 37 mm. The throughput now corresponds to the output of onsize: 240 kg/h; the proportion of undersize is about 34 % of the total amount The granules are subsequently treated as described above. The resulting granular dye (dye compact) is notable for its outstandingly low dust content and good dissolution properties. No changes occur in these properties even after prolonged storage, for example at room temperature for 6 months or at 40°C for 5 weeks, and after transportation. Owing to its ideal free-flow properties the granular dye can be metered readily using automatic units. It gives dyeings equivalent to those of the powder form,
i
■ i
i ,;

s~

120 parts of the filter cake obtained from thesynthesis of the red reactive dye CX Reactive Red 243 by salting out with sodium chloride, filtration and pressing off (comprising 37 % pure dye as the sodium salt, 53 % of water and 10 % of sodium chloride, together with by-products) are stirred up with 50 parts of water, 17 parts of sodium sulphate (Glauber's salt) and 17 parts of a naphthalenesulphonic acid-fonnaldehyde condensation product are added, and the mixture is stirred together until homogeneous. Following the spray-drying of the suspension, the resulting powder, which contains about 6 % water, is compacted and granulated as described in Example 1, with the slug thickness in the roll compactor WP 50/75 being 4.8 mm, and the output of onsize about 44 kg/h; the proportion of undersize is about 32 % of the total amount and- is passed back for recolmpaction (separation by screening and sifting). The onsize is sprayed and mixed with 2 %'of the dustproofing oil (E31). The compacted granular dye (dye compact) thus obtained is notable for its outstandingly low dust content and good dissolution properties. No changes occur in these properties even after prolonged storage, for example at room temperature for 6 months or at 40°C for 5 weeks, and after transportation. Owing to its ideal free-flow properties the granular dye can be metered readily using automatic units. The dye in the granular form described above gives dyeings equivalent to those in the powder form.
Example 9
: ;i
i '
The procedure is as in Example 8 except that a further 0.5 part of the defoamer (Dl 1) is added before the suspension is dried. The resulting compacted granular dye (dye compacts) is notable for its outstandingly low dust content and good dissolution properties. No changes occur in these properties even after prolonged storage, for example at room temperature for 6 months or at 40°C for 5 weeks, and after transportation. Owing to its ideal free-flow properties the
i :i
granular dye can be metered readily using automatic units and, when the granular dye is used in aqueous solution, there is no disruptive foaming. The granular dye gives dyeings equivalent to those of the powder form.
Example 10
The filter cake obtained from the synthesis of the red reactive dye C J. Reactive Red 243 by salting out with sodium chloride, filtration; and pressing off (comprising 37 % of pure dye as

the sodium salt, 53 % of water and 10 % of sodium chloride along with by-products) is dried and ground. 17parts of sodium sulphate;(Glauber's salt) and 17parts of a naphthalene-sulphonic acid/formaldehyde condensation product are added to 57 parts of this powder (for example in a Nauta mixer), and the components are mixed homogeneously, 0,5 % of the defoamer (Dl 1) is sprayed onto this mixture, and mixed.
In the same way as for the; powder of Example 8 and 9 this mixture is then compacted, granulated and treated with the further additives. The resulting compacted granular dye (dye compact) is notable for its outstandingly low dust content and for its good dissolution properties. No changes occur in these properties even after prolonged storage, for example at room temperature for 6 months or at 40°C for 5 weeks, and after transportation. Owing to its ideal free-flow properties, the granular dye can be metered readily using automatic units and,
when the granular dye is used in aqueous solution, there is no disruptive foaming. The granular

dye give dyeings equivalent to those of the powder form.

Example 11
100 parts of the filter cake obtained from the synthesis of the green acid dye C.I Acid Green 40 by filtration and washing with an 8 % strength NaCl solution (the filter cake comprising 51 % of pure dye as the sodium alt, 45 % of water and 4 % of sodium chloride, along with byproducts) are stirred up with 170 parts of water and 10 parts of sodium sulphate (Glauber* s salt) and mixed with 3.6 parts of a 35 % strength solution of the adduct of 9 mol of ethylene oxide with 1 mol of nonylphenol. Pye agglomerates are disrupted by wet milling (via a Fryma mill,

for example)* This suspension is spray-dried to give a powder containing about 6 % water.

This powder is compacted in a compacting/granulating machine type WP 50/75 (roll length

75 mm, roll diameter 152 mm) at a roll pressure of 16.0 kN/cmRL and a rotary speed of 8 rpm

to give a slug 2.0 mm thick, and this slug is granulated to give small particulate granules (0.3-1.0 mm particle size). The output of onsize is about 23 kg/h, the proportion of undersize is about 26 % of the total amount and is passed back for recompaction (separation by screening and sifting). 1.5 % of a dusproofing dil (E31) is then sprayed onto the resulting onsize, and mixed. The resulting grammar dye (dye Compact) is notable for its outstandingly low dust content and its good dissolution properties! No changes occur in these properties even after prolonged storage, for example at room temperature for 6 months or at 40°C for 5 weeks, and

after transportation. Owing1 to its ideal free-flow properties the granular product can be metered readily using automatic units. It gives dyeings equivalent to those of the powder form.
In the following Examples! 12 to 22 the compaction/granulation is carried out on a compacting/granulating machine of the type WP 250/150 V with a roll length of 150 mm and a roll diameter of 250 mm. . The slug thickness of the compacted dye is in each case 2.5 to
3,3 mm.
Example 12
A dye according to C.I. Reactive Blue 2141 containing 20 % sodium sulphate as extender, in powder form, which contains as an anionic surfactant 26 % of the sodium salt of a naphthalene sulphonic acid/formaldehyde condensation product with a degree of sulphonation of 80-120 %5 is compacted under the following conditions: roll pressure = 21.7 kN/cm L, rotary speed = 15 rpm, and granulated to a small-particle size granulated product of 0.4-L0 mm. The onsize yield is 200 kg/h. The granulated product is sprayed and mixed with 2.5 % of dedusting oil (E31). The obtained comparted, granular blue reactive dye (dye compact) is notable for its good solubility and speed of dissolution low dust content and stability to storage and transportation. Its bulk density is about twice the one of a corresponding powder, it is pourable and is suitable as hot dyeing dyestuff.
Example 13

A powdery reactive dye according to C J. Reactive Blue 79 containing 20 % of sodium sulphate as extender and which contains 34 % of the sodium salt of a naphthalene sulphonic acid/formaldehyde condensation product with a degree of sulphonation of 80-120 %, is compacted at a roll pressure of 20 kN/cmRL and rotary speed of 14 rpm and granulated to a

small-size particle-size granular product of 0.4-1.0 mm. The onsize yield is 240 kg/h. The granulated product is sprayed and admixeld with 2% of dedusting oil (E31). The obtained
compacted, granular blue
dissolution, low dust content and stability
neactive dye his notable for its good solubility and speed of
on storage and transportation. Its bulk density is
about twice the one of a corresponding powder and it is pourable.

Example 14
A powdery dye according to CL Reactive Orange 13, which contains 20 % of the sodium salt of a naphthalene sulphonic acid/formaldehyde condensation product with a degree of sulphonation of 80-120 %, is impacted at airoll pressure of 13.3 kN/cmRL and rotary speed of 16 rpm and is granulated to a granular product of 0.4-1.0 mm. The onsize yield is about 200 kg/h. The granular product is sprayed and admixed with 2 % dedusting oil (E31). The

obtained compacted, granulated orange reactive dye (dye compact) is notable for its good solubility and speed of dissolution, for its low dust content and for its stability on storage and transportation. Its bulk deniity is about twice the one of a corresponding powder and it is pourable. In the production of printing pastes it distributes as well as the existing powder; due to its perfect pourability it cam be metered excellently with automatic metering systems.
Example 15
A dye according to CL Reactive Orange 12 in powder form, which contains 20 % of sodium sulphate as extender and 20 % of the sodium salt of a naphthalene sulphonic acid/formaldehyde condensation product with a degree of sulphonation of 80-120 %, is compacted at a roll pressure of 20 kN/cmRL and a rotary speed of 16 rpm and is granulated to a granular product of 0.4-1.0 mm. The onsize yield is 220 kg/h. The granular product is sprayed with 1.7 % dedusting oil (E31) and mixed. The obtained compacted, granulated, orange reactive dye (dye compact) is notable for its good solubility and speed of dissolution, for its low dust content and for its stability on storage and transportation. Its bulk density is about twice the one of a corresponding powder and it is pourable.
Example 16
A dye according to CL Reactive Black 5 ;in powder form, which contains 20 % of sodium
II
sulphate as extender and 5-15 % of the sodium salt of a naphthalene sulphonic acid/formaldehyde condensation product with a degree of sulphonation of 80-120 %, is

compacted at a roll pressure

of 18.3 kN/crakL and rotary speed of 15 rpm and granulated to a

small particle size granular p roduct of 0

YQ dedusting
product is sprayed with 2
granulated black reactive dye (dye compa

oil (E31) and mixed. The obtained compacted, X) is notable for its good solubility and speed of

9. Compacted granular product of a mixture substantially as
herein described and exemplified.
10. Process for the production of granular compacts of a mixture
substantially as herein described and exemplified.

Documents:

1619-mas-1998-abstract.pdf

1619-mas-1998-claims duplicate.pdf

1619-mas-1998-claims original.pdf

1619-mas-1998-correspondence others.pdf

1619-mas-1998-correspondence po.pdf

1619-mas-1998-description complete duplicate.pdf

1619-mas-1998-description complete original.pdf

1619-mas-1998-form 1.pdf

1619-mas-1998-form 26.pdf

1619-mas-1998-form 3.pdf

1619-mas-1998-form 4.pdf

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Patent Number

208232

Indian Patent Application Number

1619/MAS/1998

PG Journal Number

35/2007

Publication Date

31-Aug-2007

Grant Date

20-Jul-2007

Date of Filing

20-Jul-1998

Name of Patentee

CLARIANT FINANCE (BVI) LTD

Applicant Address

CITCO BUILDING, WICKHAMS CAY, PO BOX 662, ROAD TOWN, TORTOLA.

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	ROLAND GRIMM	MITTEBRUHLSTRASSE 18, CH 4416 BUBENDORF.
2	WERNER SCHUMANN	MAPPACHERSTRASSE 12, D-79588 EFRINGEN-KIRCHEN.
3	CLAUDE HALDIMANN	WARTENBERGSTRASSE 41, CH-4127 BIRSFELDEN.

PCT International Classification Number

C09B69/08

PCT International Application Number

N/A

PCT International Filing date

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1	97810512.0	1997-07-21	EUROPEAN UNION