Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate Solubility via Hydrotropic Precursors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) with high concentrations of 2-phenyl-derivatives exhibit low solubility and high viscosity, making them difficult to handle and process, and existing hydrotropes are not effective in sufficiently solubilizing them or reducing viscosity, especially when added to LAS with low external isomer content, increasing the cost of cleaning compositions.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the use of non-linear compounds as hydrotropic precursors, treated through fractionation, hydrogenation, and selective adsorption, to produce a highly soluble linear alkylbenzene sulfonate with controlled 2-phenyl-derivative content, where the hydrotropic precursor is added before or after sulfonation and neutralization, allowing for improved solubility and reduced viscosity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If LAS with high concentrations of 2-phenyl-derivatives is produced, then surface activity properties are improved, but solubility decreases and viscosity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A hydrotropic composition is introduced as an intermediary substance to mediate between the LAS molecules and water. This hydrotrope acts as a molecular mediator that interferes with the aggregation of LAS molecules, preventing gel formation and maintaining solubility even at high concentrations of 2-phenyl-derivatives. The hydrotrope inserts itself between LAS molecules, disrupting their tendency to form insoluble aggregates while preserving their surface-active properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameter of the LAS system by adding a hydrotropic substance. This parameter change fundamentally alters the phase behavior and solubility characteristics of the LAS mixture, enabling high concentrations of 2-phenyl-derivatives to remain soluble. The hydrotrope modifies the critical micelle concentration and phase separation temperature, allowing the system to maintain a homogeneous liquid state under conditions where it would otherwise form gels.
2Reliability
If external isomers content (2+3 phenyl) higher than 50% by weight is used, then surface activity is improved, but the LAS forms highly insoluble gels with high viscosity
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrotropic composition serves as a molecular intermediary that prevents direct interaction between external isomer molecules that would lead to gel formation. By inserting itself between these molecules, the hydrotrope disrupts the network formation responsible for gel structure, maintaining fluidity while preserving the enhanced surface activity provided by the external isomers.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potentially harmful gel-forming tendency of high external isomer content into a beneficial state. The hydrotrope transforms the system from a gel-forming mixture into a highly soluble, low-viscosity solution that retains the superior surface activity of external isomers. What would normally be a defect (gel formation) is converted into an advantage (stable, soluble surfactant solution).
3Ease of operation
If existing hydrotropes are added to solubilize LAS with low external isomer content, then solubility is improved, but the cost of cleaning compositions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables the LAS system to self-regulate its solubility through the hydrotropic composition without requiring additional expensive additives. The hydrotrope works efficiently at low concentrations to prevent gel formation and maintain solubility across the full range of external isomer content, eliminating the need for costly co-surfactants or solubilizing agents that would otherwise be required.
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 results in a highly soluble linear alkylbenzene sulfonate with improved solubility and reduced viscosity, as demonstrated by lower cooled cloud points and dynamic viscosity measurements, enhancing the handling and processing of LAS in cleaning compositions without significant capital investment in new facilities.
Implementation Method 1
the addition, prior or after sulfonation of linear alkylbenzene and/or neutralization of linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid of an hydrotropic composition
Implementation Method 2
separating non linear compounds from the mixture obtained in step ii) by means of a selective adsorbent
Implementation Method 3
treatment of the non linear compounds extracted in the step iii) to form the hydrotropic precusor
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention refers to a process to obtain a highly soluble linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS). Specifically it comprises the addition, prior or after sulfonation of linear alkylbenzene and/or neutralization of linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid of an hydrotropic composition. It also refers to a hydrotropic composition, to a highly soluble linear alkylbenzene sulfonate, to the use of the hydrotropic composition for making said linear alkylbenzene sulfonate highly soluble and to a cleaning composition comprising said linear alkylbenzene sulfonate.