Page 18 - 81Sulfonation-Sulfation Processing Technology for Anionic Surfactant Manufacture_opt

Sulfonation/Sulfation Processing Technology for Anionic Surfactant Manufacture 285

Generally, feedstock for the manufacture of FAMES containing unsaturated fatty acids and
these has been attributed to the formation of polysulfone in the double bonds (Yamada &
Matsutani, 1996). Unsaturated in methyl ester make it an olefin with a carboxyl methyl
group at the end of the chain. Olefins are more rapidly sulfonated by SO 3 also unsaturated
bound produces oversulfonation and oxidation of the olefin which competes with the
saturated ester obtain product more colored, however the color can be improved by
bleaching. Unsaturated make it an olefin with a carboxyl methyl group at the end of the
chain. Olefins are more rapidly sulfonated also unsaturated bound produces
oversulfonation and oxidation of the olefin which competes with the saturated ester obtain
product more colored, however the color can be improved by bleaching (Figure 19).

Fig. 19. Reaction scheme for the coloration in aging step (adapted from Roberts et al., 2008)

Mechanism proposed by Roberts (2007) suggests a reversible formation of -dioxide cycle
and CH 3SO 3H this -anhydride reacts opening its cycle, sintering itself, and losing a carbon
monoxide to become an alkene sulfonic acid. This is formed mainly in reactions of
sulfonation of alfa-olefins, these are very intensive in color when aged in the acid form
(Clippinger, 1964).

6.2 Validation of model
The input variables more important for the conversion are: the length and diameter
reactor, flow of liquid reactant, mole ratio between SO 3 and organic liquid, in this case
methyl stearate derived of hydrogenated stearin from palm oil (Narváez et al., 2005; Torres

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