Page 4 - Microsoft Word - Methyl Ester Sulfonate Products 5th Cesio v19,R1.doc

The aging process in the digester completes the sulfonation reaction but causes a four-fold
increase in the color of the MESA. The digested MESA, methanol and dilute hydrogen
peroxide are combined in a loop and the reaction mixture is passed through a methanol
refluxing vessel where the bleaching of the MESA is completed. The process temperature in
the bleaching vessel is controlled by heat transfer surfaces submerged in the reactants. The
process pressure is independently controlled. The non-condensable vapors discharged from
the bleaching vessel are processed in an effluent gas treatment system. The bleached MESA
is continuously neutralized with 50% sodium hydroxide to a pH of 5.5 to 7.5. Any residual
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peroxide can be decomposed by the addition of a molar equivalent of sodium sulfite. The
neutral paste is transferred to a concentrating and / or methanol removal system. MES based
on a methyl ester below a molecular weight of 245 is stripped rather than dried to remove the
methanol making the concentrated product. Higher molecular weight MES is dried, removing
both methanol and water, making the ultra-concentrated solid product forms. The recovered
methanol is distilled and recycled back to the bleaching process.

The stripper / dryer consists of a supply system, a preheater, a proprietary dryer, a separation
vessel, a product discharge device (typically a plodder), a vacuum system and an overhead
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condenser, Figure 2. The MES product is powdered or diluted as appropriate for
application in liquid, bar, granular, and tablet detergent products.

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