Sulfonic Acid (LABSA) Description
Sulfonic Acid (LABSA) is a batch of organic Sulfur compounds that are used as an anionic surfactant in most home detergents such as dishwashing detergents and washing powders. LABSA compound is used as a cleaning agent, foaming agent and sponge cleaner in more formulations. For the production of Sulfonic Acid, alkaline benzene linear sulfation is usually used. And its ingredients Linear Alkylbenzene, Oxygen, Sulfur and Citric Acid.
Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulphonic Acid is an anionic surfactant with molecules characterized by a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic group. They are non-volatile compounds produced by sulfonation. Linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid are complex mixtures of homologues of different alkyl chain lengths (C10 to C13 or C14) and phenyl positional isomers of 2 to 5-phenyl in proportions dictated by the starting materials and reaction conditions, each containing an aromatic ring sulfonated at the para position and attached to a linear alkyl chain at any position with the exception of terminal one (1-phenyl).
The starting material LAB (linear alkyl benzene) is produced by the alkylation of benzene with n-paraffins
in the presence of hydrogen fluoride (HF) or aluminum chloride (AlCl3) as a catalyst, the latest is DETAL
process by UOP. LABSA is produced by the sulfonation of LAB with sulphuric acid in batch reactors.
Other sulfonation alternative reagents are oleum, diluted sulfur trioxide, chlorosulfonic acid and sulfamic
acid on falling film reactors.
Uses of Sulfonic Acid (LABSA)
High action of detergency, moistening, foaming, emulsion. Widely applied in a variety of detergents and emulsifiers, such as washing powder, daily-use chemical detergent, utensils detergents and textile industry of the cleaning agent, dye, electro plating industry, leather industry, degreasing agents and paper industry’s de-coloring agent. Household detergents including laundry powders, laundry liquids, dishwashing liquids and other household cleaners.
-It is used in anionic specialty formulations.
-In other industries such as textile industries, it is used as an mercerising or washing agent.
-It is used to increase the surface area of distempers.
-As main active matter in all forms of Detergents like Cake, Powder and Liquid formulations.
-As emulsifier and wetting agent in small quantity with other surfactants in Toilet soaps for foaming.
-In Pesticides to improve the quality of spray.
Sulfonic Acid (LABSA) Characteristics
- Chemical Formula : R-C6H4-SO3H
- CAS Number: 27176-87-0
- Active Matter (M=320) 96.0 % – 98.0%
- Specific Gravity (20°C) 1.050 – 1.060
- Free Oil < 2.5%
- Sulfuric Acid < 0.75%
- Preservation none
- Neutralization Index 13 (g NaOH 100/100 g)
- Color, APHA; ASTM D 1209 (Klett 5% AM) < 80
- Water Content 0.55%
LABSA Specifications
| Active ingredients | 97% (Min.) |
| Free Sulphuric Acid | 4-7% (Max) |
| Free Oil | 1% (Max) |
| Color Klett | 35 When packed (Max) |
| Density (gm/ml at 200c) | 1.07 |
| Appearance | Light Yellow-Brown Liquid |
| Viscosity | Low Viscosity |
| Mean Molecular Mass | Average 326 |
LABSA Packing
Sulfonic Acid or LABSA can be packed in 200 Kg PE Drums or 1 MT IBC Tanks.
80 Drums can be palletized and loaded in 1 full 20ft container.
20 IBC Tanks can be loaded in 1 full 20ft container.