Page 3 - 81Sulfonation-Sulfation Processing Technology for Anionic Surfactant Manufacture_opt

270 Advances in Chemical Engineering

organic intermediates, their main applications are in the production of anionic surfactants
(Foster, 2004).

Fig. 1. Functional groups: (a) sulfonate ─SO 3H and (b) sulfate ─OSO 3H

2. Main anionic surfactants
2.1 Linear alkyl benzene sulfonate (LABS)
Linear alkylbenzene is the most common organic feedstock employee in the detergent
industry (Figure 2). LABS of low molecular weight (230 – 245) lay in the category of anionic
surfactants most used in all ranges of household detergent formulations. Dishwashing
liquids are prepared from LABS of low molecular weight in combination with other anionic
surfactant as Lauryl Ether Sulfate (LES) promoting high detergency, foam stability,
degreasing capacity, and high stability in hard water (Zhu et al., 1998). Common
concentrations of active detergents in liquid products are: LABS 10-15% (30%), Primary
alcohol sulfate/LES 3-5% (10%), where values in brackets are the maximum for concentrated
products (Table 1). LABS of high molecular weight (245-260) are the anionic surfactants
more used in all ranges of household detergents formulation, but especially in heavy duty
laundry products, sometimes in combination with nonionics alcohol sulfates from tallow
and soaps (Mungray & Kumar, 2009).

Fig. 2. Sulfonation of alkylbenzene (adapted from Foster, 1997)

Heavy powders detergents (no soapy) High foam Low foam
LABS, high molecular weight (245-260) 20 – 30% 5 – 10%
Tallow Alcohol Sulfate (TAS) 2 – 5 %
Nonionics 2 – 5 %
“Tallow” soap 2 – 5 %

Table 1. Heavy powders detergents used in all ranges of household detergents formulation
(de Groot, 1991)

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