| abstract |
The invention comprises a method of sulphating or sulphonating fatty alcohols or alkaryl hydrocarbons which comprises introducing a mixture of sulphur trioxide with a diluent which is inert and gaseous in the reaction conditions into, and intimately mixing it with, a liquid mass containing the alcohol or hydrocarbon flowing continuously through a reaction vessel such that at least two zones are established in the flow path of the liquid, the gas mixture being introduced separately into at least two such zones and the rate of introduction of the gas mixture relative to the mass flow rate of the alcohol or hydrocarbon being such that the molecular ratio of sulphur trioxide to the alcohol or hydrocarbon is less than 1 in the first zone or zones but greater than 1 in the last zone or zones, that the volume of the gas mixture is at least two hundred times the volume of the liquid in the reactor, and that the mean gas/liquid residence time in the last zone or zones is less than 1 second, as claimed in the parent Specification using the apparatus claimed in Specification 969,516, characterized by degassing the reaction mixture obtained from the last zone in a rotating-bowl type of centrifugal separator. The degassing may be effected under reduced pressure or under vacuum, and the centrifuge bowl, which may be heated, preferably contains an outlet pipe directed tangentially to the bowl with its orifice opposed to the direction of rotation of the liquid. An example describes the sulphation of a reaction product of 1 mole lauryl alcohol with 2 moles ethylene oxide. Reference has been directed by the Comptroller to Specification 969,516. |