Abstract: The present invention refers to a process to obtain a highly soluble linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS). Specifically it comprises the addition, prior or after sulfonation of linear alkylbenzene and/or neutralization of linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid of an hydrotropic composition. It also refers to a hydrotropic composition, to a highly soluble linear alkylbenzene sulfonate, to the use of the hydrotropic composition for making said linear alkylbenzene sulfonate highly soluble and to a cleaning composition comprising said linear alkylbenzene sulfonate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for obtaining a highly soluble linear alkylbenzene sulfonate with an adjustable 2-phenyl isomer content and an extremely low sulfonation color, in which a catalytic system based on highly stable solid catalysts and with a high selectivity for linear monoalkylated compounds is used.

Abstract: The invention relates to a neutralization and granulation method wherein a neutralizing foam is used as granulation adjuvant. The neutralizing foam was previously obtained by mixing an anionic surfactant in its acid form, which was expanded using a gaseous medium, and a highly concentrated, aqueous alkaline component, which was expanded using a gaseous medium. The neutralizing foam has an average pore size of less than 10 mm, preferably less than 5 mm and especially less than 2 mm.

Abstract: A process for the production of anionic surfactant granules comprising the steps of:A) Neutralizing an acidic anionic surfactant with a base in a horizontal thin-layer evaporator or thin-layer dryer; andB) Drying the resulting neutralized anionic surfactant in the evaporator or dryer to form surfactant granules; wherein the acidic anionic surfactant and the base taken together have a solids content such that the total quantity of water in the evaporator or dryer at no time exceeds about 15 % by weight and wherein the neutralization and drying are carried out in countercurrent flow with air or an alkaline gas stream at a temperature in the range of from about 120 to about 130.degree. C.

Abstract: Sulphonates are prepared by the neutralisation of a sulphonic acid with a basic hydroxide or oxide. The process requires the staged addition of sulphonic acid to a reaction mixture comprising basic hydroxide or oxide dispersed in a water/diluent mixture; the reaction mixture is basic throughout the additions of acid and at least until the point of completion of the neutralisation reaction. The basic hydroxide or oxide may also be added in stages. The sulphonate product has low viscosity, low haze and good stability and is essentially chloride free as halide promoters are not utilised in the manufacture of the product.

Abstract: In the production of granules containing anionic surfactants and having a bulk density above 450 g/l by granulation of a surfactant preparation containing a non-surface-active liquid component, the water demand and hence the energy demand for evaporating the water can be reduced if the anionic surfactant in its acid form or a mixture containing one or more anionic surfactants in their acid form and an aqueous alkaline solution are separately treated with a gaseous medium, subsequently sprayed in substantially stoichiometric quantities into the granulation and drying zone either separately or together under a high propellant gas pressure and then granulated and, at the same time, dried, optionally with addition of one or more inorganic or organic solids.

Abstract: Sulphonates are prepared by the neutralization of a sulphonic acid with a basic hydroxide or Oxide. The process requires the staged addition of sulphonic acid to a reaction mixture comprising basic hydroxide or oxide dispersed in water/diluent mixture; the reaction mixture is basic throughout the additions of acid and at least until the point of completion of the neutralization reaction. The basic hydroxide or oxide may also be added in stages. The sulphonate product has low viscosity, low haze and good stability and is essentially chloride free as halide promoters are not utilized in the manufacture of the product.

Abstract: A process for the production of solid or paste-form products by fast reactions is carried out stoichiometrically wherein a gaseous medium is introduced into each of the reactants to be reacted with one another, the reactant streams formed are combined and are subsequently forced through a spray unit in a weight ratio of gaseous medium to product stream of from 0.04 to 0.3 (kg/kg) and at a rate of 0.1 to 15 m/second, as calculated from the gas-free reactant streams and based on the free cross-section of the spray unit. The products obtained are free from readily volatile constituents.

Abstract: The invention relates to alkyl aryl sulfonate concentrate compositions and provides a process wherein an aqueous solution containing at least 10% by weight of a neutralizing agent is mixed with at least one C.sub.2-9 saturated alcohol and with a C.sub.8-18 alkyl aryl (xylene or toluene) sulfonic acid, the relative quantities of the components being such that the resulting neutralized mixture contains 5 to 40 parts by weight of the alcohol per 100 parts by weight of alkyl aryl sulfonate salt. The resulting flowable liquid concentrate composition are easily handled materials having application, for instance, in enhanced oil recovery processes.