Sulfonation

Sulfonation is the addition of an SO3 group to an organic substance. This term defines both the sulfonation, addition of the SO3 to a –C atom, and the sulfation, addition of the SO3 to an –O atom.
The sulfonation can be performed in different reactor types and using different raw materials for the generation of the gaseous SO3, including sulfur, liquid SO2, liquid SO3, oleum.
The Sulfonation in Falling Film Reactors using Diluted Gaseous SO3 generated from sulfur burning with dry air is the predominant industrial process to produce Sulfonate Active Matters because:

	It allows treating the majority of the sulfonatable substances
	It employs the most economic, easily available and least hazardous raw materials
	It yields the best quality products

IIT supplies Plants and Equipment based on Proprietary Technology.

Raw materials

Our plants are designed to treat most of the sulfonatable substances including:

	Alkylates
	Fatty Alcohols
	Ethoxilated Fatty Alcohols
	Alfa Olefins
	Methyl Esters
	and many others

Plant Configuration

The configuration of the plant may include, depending on the products required, the equipment for:

	Dry air production
	Diluted gaseous SO3 generation from different raw materials
	Sulfonation
	Exhaust gas cleaning
	Ageing and Hydrolysis for Alkylbenzene Sulfonic Acids
	Neutralization for Low and High Concentrated Products
	Special Neutralizations for High Viscous Materials
	Neutralization and Hydrolysis for High Concentrated Alfa Olefins
	Deaeration for High Viscous Products
	Dilution Units of High Concentrated Products
	Dioxane Stripping
	Properties (pH, Color, Concentration, etc.) Adjustment

Capacities

 The capacity of the plants, expressed as 100% Active Matter of Linear Dodecyl Benzene Sodium Sulfonate, spans in the range from 5 kg/h for pilot plants up to 10.000 kg/h and more for industrial plants.

Proprietary items

IIT designs and supplies

	High Performance Air Drying Units
	Multitube Falling Film Reactors
	High Shear Mixer Homogenizers
	Electrostatic Precipitators (ESP)
	Heat Recovery Equipment
	Deaeration Units