Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate detergents

Linear paraffins in the C q to range are used for the production of alcohols and plasticizers and biodegradable detergents of the linear alkylbenzene sulfonate and nonionic types (see Alcohols Plasticizers Surfactants). Here the UOP Molex process is used to extract / -paraffins from a hydrotreated kerosine (6—8). 

Alkylation of benzene using alpha olefins produces linear alkylbenzenes, which are further sulfonated and neutralized to linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LABS). These compounds constitute, with alcohol ethoxy-sulfates and ethoxylates, the basic active ingredients for household detergents. Production of LABS is discussed in Chapter 10. 

Typical properties of detergent alkylate are shown in Table 10-2. Detergent manufacturers buy linear alkylbenzene, sulfonate it with SO3, and then neutralize it with NaOH to produce linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LABS), the active ingredient in detergents ... 

Trace aromatics removal from linear paraffins in the Ciq-Cis range is an important step in producing linear alkylbenzene (LAB) which in turn is used to make linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) an important constituent of detergents. High purity linear paraffins are required to produce superior detergent properties. For this application, MgY and NaX adsorbents are reported to be effective adsorbents in removing aromatics from Cio-C n-paraffins [265-267]. 

Domestic wastewater contains a large amount of detergents, especially anionic surfactants, such as linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS). A sensitive biosensor containing Trichosporon cutaneum has been developed in Japan and used to monitor river water [128,129]. With this sensor a detection limit of 0.2 mg 1" LAS has been reached. 

The production of LAB involves the liquid-phase alkylation of benzene with linear monoolefins or alkyl chlorides. Liquid HF is used as catalyst for linear monoolefins. And the A1C13 is used as the catalyst for alkyl chlorides. Nowadays, acidic zeolite catalyst is used for olefin alkylation which generates less waste and reduces manufacture cost. The alkylate is then sulfonated to produce linear alkylbenzene sulfonate for biodegradable detergents. The manufacture of detergents is described in detail in Chapter 27. 

Linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (from detergents) are found in the range 0-5.0 mg kg in both freshwater and marine sediments. Higher levels occasionally found in sediments are associated with untreated sewage effluent (Cavalli et al, 2000). 

In the mid-1960s, commercial processes were developed for the production of linear paraffins. These could be used as feedstock to produce linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS), a biodegradable alternative to SDBS. " The majority of synthetic detergent plants built after the 1970s were for the production of LABs rather than DDB. Reformulation with LAS started the phaseout of DDB, and by the end of the 1990s, most DDB plants were no longer in operation or had been converted to production of LAB. 

The worldwide annual production of LAB increased from 1.1 million tons in 1980 to 1.8 million metric tons in 1990 and 2.4 million tons in 2000. Linear alkylbenzene sulfonates continue to be one of the most efficient and cost-effective surfactants in the detergent industry. 

T-Soft . [Harcros] Linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid high foaming detergent intermediate. 

The major surfactants used in laundry detergents have traditionally been linear alkylbenzene sulfonates, alcohol... 

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