The term Sulph(on)ation covers both sulphonation and sulphation reactions. Sulphonation is the reaction of SO3 with suitable hydrocarbons (forming sulphonic acids), whereas sulphation is the reaction of SO3 with various hydroxy compounds (forming sulphates, i.e. half esters of sulphonic acid).
While the same plant can be used for either processes the acid ester generated at the sulphation process must be neutralized immediately.
The sulph(on)ation reaction takes place simply by contact between the organic material and SO3, which being an highly active reagent, has to be diluted with air to about 4 %.
Since the reaction is exothermic, the product has to be cooled immediately, during the reaction itself, to avoid deterioration of the product.
Today the continuous falling film reactor process has replaced the previously used batch or cascade plants and as the production of the sulph(on)ated products is continuously expanding highly economical processes and most suitable plant - well tested - have been recently developed.
The core of the MECCANICHE MODERNE sulph(on)ation plant is the recently developed New Multitube Film Reactor (covered by Italian Patent Nr. MI 92 A 001 198, European Patent Nr. 93107792.-2104, and USA Patent Nr. 5,445,801) which is very reliable and versatile.
The Sulph(on)ation Plant with the New Multitube Film Reactor includes:
PRODUCTION RATE
MECCANICHE MODERNE supplies Falling Film Sulph(on)ation Plants from 100 to 6000 kg/hour production rate.
FLOW SHEETS
The following pages show the Flow Sheets of a typical Sulph(on)ation Plant.
