Alkanolamide surfactant emulsions and process therefor

A cold mixing process for preparing a liquid aqueous cleanser containing monoalkanolamide, the process comprising the step of cold mixing a liquid monoalkanolamide surfactant emulsion into a separately prepared aqueous formulation containing at least one principal surfactant, wherein the liquid monoalkanolamide surfactant emulsion comprises on a total monoalkanolamide surfactant emulsion weight basis:

• (a) about 1 to about 30 active weight percent of a monoalkanolamide that is substantially solid and insoluble in water at a temperature below about 30° C.;
• (b) an emulsifying effective amount of a monoalkanolamide emulsifying surfactant selected from the group consisting of an amphoteric surfactant, a zwitterionic surfactant, an anionic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant and non-interactive mixtures thereof;
• (c) up to about 10 weight percent of a water soluble inorganic electrolyte salt;
• (d) up to about 15 weight percent of a non-surfactant organic solvent;
• and
• (e) the balance being water;
• wherein the monoalkanolamide surfactant emulsion has a total solids content in the range of about 20 to about 60 weight percent and remains phase stable and pumpable at a temperature in the range of about zero to about 30° C.