Abstract: A method of degrading 1,4-dioxane in the wastewater produced during the manufacture of alkyl ether sulfates is disclosed. The method includes the steps of (a) mixing from 100 to 10,000 ppm, preferably 1,000 to 4,000 ppm of ozone with the wastewater; (b) introducing H2O2 into the wastewater in an amount of 0.01 to 10, preferably 0.1 to 0.5 molar equivalents of H2O2 to ozone, and (c) mixing the ozone, H2O2, and wastewater to generate hydroxyl radicals reactive with the 1,4-dioxane, without the addition of a metal catalyst. The hydroxyl radicals react with the 1,4-dioxane and degrade it into carbon dioxide, water and/or carbonate. The method is effective to reduce a concentration of 1,4-dioxane in the wastewater from a range of about 10 ppm to about 1000 ppm of dioxane down to less than 5 ppb of 1,4-dioxane after treatment. The method is also effective for removing hydrocarbon species that may be present in the wastewater.

Abstract: A method of degrading 1,4-dioxane in the wastewater produced during the manufacture of alkyl ether sulfates is disclosed. The method includes the steps of (a) mixing from 100 to 10,000 ppm, preferably 1,000 to 4,000 ppm of ozone with the wastewater; (b) introducing H2O2 into the wastewater in an amount of 0.01 to 10, preferably 0.1 to 0.5 molar equivalents of H2O2 to ozone, and (c) mixing the ozone, H2O2, and wastewater to generate hydroxyl radicals reactive with the 1,4-dioxane, without the addition of a metal catalyst. The hydroxyl radicals react with the 1,4-dioxane and degrade it into carbon dioxide, water and/or carbonate. The method is effective to reduce a concentration of 1,4-dioxane in the wastewater from a range of about 10 ppm to about 1000 ppm of dioxane down to less than 5 ppb of 1,4-dioxane after treatment. The method is also effective for removing hydrocarbon species that may be present in the wastewater.

Abstract: A process for producing surfactant products by reacting, in a jacketed vacuum neutralizing reactor, the acid form of an anionic surfactant with a neutralizing agent, and supplementing heat to the reactor via a heat transfer medium on the jacket, which is not cooling water. The surfactant product made by such a process may exhibit a solids concentration of from about 50% by weight or greater. A vacuum reactor that has a heating jacket using a heat transfer medium, such as steam, that is not cooling water, and can function both as a neutralizing reactor and an evaporator is also contemplated.