Alcohol Ether Sulfate Neutralization Co-Solvent Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Alcohol ether sulfates, used in enhanced oil recovery, are challenging to manufacture due to the instability of sulfuric acid semi-esters, which quickly neutralize and lead to chain degradation and formation of undesirable by-products.
Innovation Solution
A process involving sulfating alkoxylated alcohols and neutralizing the sulfated products in the presence of a co-solvent with a flash point of at least 60°C, such as polyhydric alcohols or alkylene glycol monoethers, to produce alcohol ether sulfates with improved stability and molecular weight of at least 2000.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If sulfuric acid semi-esters are quickly neutralized after formation, then the risk of chain degradation and by-product formation is reduced, but the stability and storage properties of the alcohol ether sulfate deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a co-solvent as an intermediary substance during the neutralization process. This co-solvent mediates between the sulfuric acid semi-ester and the base, enabling stable neutralization without causing chain degradation or by-product formation, thereby resolving the contradiction between quick neutralization and storage stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the neutralization process by introducing a co-solvent with specific properties (flash point of at least 60°C). This parameter change allows the neutralization to proceed under modified conditions that prevent decomposition while maintaining stability
2Ease of manufacture
If alcohol ether sulfates are manufactured using conventional methods, then the production process is simpler, but the product stability and molecular weight integrity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The co-solvent serves as a mediator that simplifies the manufacturing process while simultaneously ensuring product stability. It enables a single-step neutralization process that produces stable alcohol ether sulfates with maintained molecular weight, avoiding the complexity of multi-step processes
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The process enhances the stability and storage properties of alcohol ether sulfates, reducing by-product formation and improving the efficiency of enhanced oil recovery by maintaining the integrity of the alkoxylate chain.
Implementation Method 1
neutralizing the sulfated product of step (a) in the presence of a base and a co-solvent... in the presence of a co-solvent results in an alcohol ether sulfate product having improved neutralization and storage stability
Data Source
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AI summary
A process for preparing an alcohol ether sulfate is disclosed which comprises: (a) sulfating an alkoxylated alcohol; and (b) neutralizing the sulfated product of step (a) in the presence of a base and a co-solvent having a flash point of at least 60°C.