Abstract:
The present technology relates to method of making alkylaryl sulfonates by gaseous SO 3 sulfonation which reduces total free oils and sulfones of the product by using neutralized salts of sulfonated products of alkylaromatic feedstock as sulfone inhibitors in the SO 3 sulfonation of alkylaromatic compounds. The methods of the present technology utilize mixtures of alkylaromatic feedstocks and sulfonate salts which have low viscosity, are homogeneous and are suitable for processing on commercial continuous SO 3 sulfonation equipment, for example falling film reactors, with little or no modification to said equipment. In some preferred embodiments of the methods of the present technology, the sulfone inhibitor is comprised of a partially neutralized alkylaryl sulfonic acid, i.e., a mixture of sulfonic acid and sulfonate salts. In another embodiment, the sulfone inhibitor is prepared by partially or fully neutralizing an alkylaryl sulfonic acid with a base and then dissolving and/or homogenizing the obtained product into alkylaromatic feedstock prior to sulfonation of the feedstock.
Abstract:
Methods of making an alpha-olefin sulfonic dimer acid (AOS dimer acid) are disclosed. In one method, an alpha-olefin is sulfonated, preferably with sulfur trioxide, to produce a mixture comprising an alpha-olefin sulfonic acid (AOS acid) and sulfur dioxide. This mixture is then heated while purging sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide from the reactor to produce an AOS dimer acid composition. In another method, the AOS acid mixture is treated to remove sulfur dioxide and is then heated to produce an AOS dimer acid composition. With either method, the resulting AOS dimer acid composition has at least a 30% decrease in the level of elemental sulfur when compared with that of an AOS dimer acid composition prepared by a similar process in the absence of any active removal of sulfur dioxide or hydrogen sulfide. AOS dimer acid compositions and salts of the AOS dimer acids, which are useful surfactants for oilfield and other applications, are also disclosed.
Abstract:
Mixed dimer and mixed oligomer compositions are disclosed. The mixed dimer compositions comprise a monosulfonated cross-dimer or a salt thereof. The monosulfonated cross-dimer is a reaction product of (a) an alpha-olefin sulfonic acid (AOS acid); and (b) an unsulfonated olefin, an unsulfonated olefin precursor, or a functionalized olefin. The mixed oligomer compositions comprise a mono- or polysulfonated cross-oligomer or a salt thereof. The mono- or polysulfonated cross-oligomer is a reaction product of (a) an AOS acid; and (b) an unsulfonated diolefin or an unsulfonated diolefin precursor. Various methods for making the mixed dimer or oligomer compositions are described. Salts of the mixed dimer and oligomer compositions are useful surfactants for foams used in oilfield and other applications. The foams have improved high-temperature stability when compared with foams from AOS dimer acid salts.
Abstract:
Compositions comprising a nonionic surfactant and 0.1 to 30 wt.% of a low-mole alkoxylate are disclosed. Some low-mole alkoxylates have the formula R-O-(AO)pH wherein R is a linear or branched C8-C16 alkyl or alkanolamide group, AO is oxypropylene (PO), oxyethylene (EO), or combinations thereof in random or block configuration, p has an average value within the range of 0.5 to 7, the average number of PO groups is within the range of 0.5 to 4, and the average number of EO groups is within the range of 0 to 3. Dilute aqueous solutions comprising a nonionic surfactant and a minor proportion of a low-mole alkoxylate wet hydrophobic surfaces more effectively, limit foaming, and degrease better than solutions comprising only the nonionic surfactant. The low-mole alkoxylates help to boost wetting performance in applications that require low-foaming surfactants, such as automatic dishwashing and laundry detergents. The low-mole alkoxylates expand the utility of a wide range of commercial nonionic surfactants, particularly ones that normally wet hydrophobic surfaces only with difficulty.
Abstract:
Mixed dimer and mixed oligomer compositions are disclosed. The mixed dimer compositions comprise a monosulfonated cross-dimer or a salt thereof. The monosulfonated cross-dimer is a reaction product of (a) an alpha-olefin sulfonic acid (AOS acid); and (b) an unsulfonated olefin, an unsulfonated olefin precursor, or a functionalized olefin. The mixed oligomer compositions comprise a mono- or polysulfonated cross-oligomer or a salt thereof. The mono- or polysulfonated cross-oligomer is a reaction product of (a) an AOS acid; and (b) an unsulfonated diolefin or an unsulfonated diolefin precursor. Various methods for making the mixed dimer or oligomer compositions are described. Salts of the mixed dimer and oligomer compositions are useful surfactants for foams used in oilfield and other applications. The foams have improved high-temperature stability when compared with foams from AOS dimer acid salts.
Abstract:
Methods of making an alpha-olefin sulfonic dimer acid (AOS dimer acid) are disclosed. In one method, an alpha-olefin is sulfonated, preferably with sulfur trioxide, to produce a mixture comprising an alpha-olefin sulfonic acid (AOS acid) and sulfur dioxide. This mixture is then heated while purging sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide from the reactor to produce an AOS dimer acid composition. In another method, the AOS acid mixture is treated to remove sulfur dioxide and is then heated to produce an AOS dimer acid composition. With either method, the resulting AOS dimer acid composition has at least a 30% decrease in the level of elemental sulfur when compared with that of an AOS dimer acid composition prepared by a similar process in the absence of any active removal of sulfur dioxide or hydrogen sulfide. AOS dimer acid compositions and salts of the AOS dimer acids, which are useful surfactants for oilfield and other applications, are also disclosed.