Technologies



Sulfonation

The Chemithon plant represents the very latest sulfonation technology, based on more than 54 years' experience and continuous improvement as the industry's foremost innovator of sulfonation processes and equipment. Chemithon proven technology results in durable, highly reliable processes and equipment to sulfonate/sulfate the broadest range of feedstocks and produce the highest quality surfactant products on the market. Flexibility, ease of operation, precision control and high equipment quality are hallmarks of Chemithon design. On-going research and development programs result in maximum production yields, consistent low maintenance operation and the best on-stream performance record in the world.

Automated Sulfonation Plant Flow Diagram


Automated Sulfonation Plant Flow Diagram
1 Process Air and Sulfur Supply System 4 Sulfonator System 7 Exhaust Gas Clean-up System
2 Feedstock 5 SO3 Absorber System 8 Final Product
3 SO3 Gas Generator System 6 Neutralizer System    

Chemithon is responsible for the most advanced sulfonation process systems currently available anywhere in the world. Seattle-based research and development has been conducted in this field during the past forty years which has produced equipment that is far superior to that offered by any of our competitors.  
     Air Drying Plant
There are currently more than 450 Chemithon plants operating or under construction in almost every part of the world. Today, Chemithon supplies processes and equipment for complete plant systems, all aspects of sulfonation, light and dense powder production, liquid products, as well as final product handling, offsite support systems and complete technical services.  
     Pre Cooler
Chemithon sulfonation systems are covered by one or more of the following US Patents or patent pending applications, and by international counterparts. The US patents include: 3,257,175; 3,259,645; 3,620,684; 4,096,236; 4,113,438; 4,185,030; 4,216,001; 4,251,456; 4,267,119; 5,136,088; 5,587,500; 5,723,433; 6,058,623; 6,572,835; & 6,895,983.  
     
Equipment versatility allows processing of less expensive feedstocks which reduces surfactants and costs.

Impact Jet SO3 Reactor Anular Falling Film Reactor
  • Precise gas and liquid distribution results in 1,4-diaxane levels less than 20 ppm for ethoxy sulfates.
  • Three meter height makes it easy to install, adjust and service.
  • Patented recycle system ensures complete reaction and absolute temperature control and flexibility.
  • Innovative design results in maximum conversion rates on all feedstocks.
  • Advanced cyclone / separator minimizes cyclone waste to <0.1%.
  • Stainless steel components ensure long life and minimize maintenance costs.
  • Because no distribution adjustments are necessary, you can produce the same pure product year after year.
  • User-friendly design makes it easy to change feedstocks.

Our family of sulfonation reactors offers a breadth of options, each designed for a specific need. The versatile Impact Jet Reactor is ideal for petroleum sulfonation and can be used for alkylbenzene sulfonation for laundry detergent or other products that don't require extremely low color. The Annular Falling Film Reactor, however, remains the world standard when high product quality is essential. The precision distribution system results in extremely fine quality products. Our more recently developed TurboTube Reactor is suited for specialty feedstocks that become highly viscous during sulfonation - and eliminates the use of solvents and subsequent recovery systems.

For your on-site testing capabilities, we design and manufacture gaseous SO3 sulfonation pilot plants with capacities of 5 to 20,000 kg/hr of 100% active, neutral product.

Chemithon's process equipment meets the most stringent antipollution requirements worldwide. We use design-build teams, three-dimensional electronic mock-ups and physical scale models to reduce problems and costs typically experienced during early stages of new projects. And through our continuous improvement quality assurance program, we provide safe and efficient equipment built to American and international engineering and manufacturing standards.

Listening to our customers has helped to determine the direction of our product development work, resulting in commercial applications in the areas of :

  • Dryer for Concentrated Detergent Actives
  • Powder Production Systems
  • 1,4-Dioxane Removal and Destruction
  • Lubricating Oil Sulfonation
  • Specialty Chemical Production
  • Drying Organic and Inorganic Materials
  • Solvent Extraction
  • Sulfonation for Enhanced Oil Recovery
  • White Oil Purification

Chemithon provides technology, as well as designs and supplies equipments for sulfonation of various Alkylates like:

  • Linear Alkyl Benzene
  • Lauryl Alcohol
  • Lauryl Ethoxylate
  • Fatty Acid Methyl Ester
  • Heavy Alkyl Benzene

List of Sulfonation Plants supplied by Chemithon Engineers Pvt. Ltd.

S.N Customer Type of Plant Location Year of Installation
1. Dharmsi Morarji Chemical Company Ltd.
(600 kgs/hr.) – (Rhodia) 		Sulfonation Roha,
Maharashtra 		1985
2. Kripa Industries (I) Ltd.
(1000 kgs/hr.) 		Sulfonation Pithampur, M.P. 1995
3. Pentafour Products Ltd.
(2000 kgs/hr.) 		Sulfonation Cuddalore, T.N. 1996
4. Hindustan Lever Ltd. ESP (LABSA) Chhindwara,
M.P. 		1997
5. Albright & Wilson Chemicals India Ltd.
(Rhodia) 		ESP (LABSA) Roha,
Maharashtra 		1998
6. Albright & Wilson Chemicals India Ltd.
(Rhodia) 		ESP (AOS) Roha,
Maharashtra 		1999
7. Albright & Wilson Chemicals India Ltd.
(750 kgs/hr.) 		Sulfonation Roha,
Maharashtra 		1999
8. Surfactant Specialities Ltd.
(2000 kgs/hr.) 		Sulfonation Kherdi,
Silvassa 		2000
9. Shri Mahadeo Soap Industries Pvt. Ltd.
(1000 kgs/hr.) – (Rohit Surfactant Pvt Ltd) 		Sulfonation Jhansi,
U.P. 		2004
10. Ultra Marine & Pigments Ltd. Sulfonation Ranipet,
T.N. 		2007
11. Rohit Surfactants Pvt. Ltd.
(1000 kgs/hr - AOS &
3000 kgs/hr - LABSA) 		Sulfonation Indore,
M.P. 		2009
12. Rohit Surfactants Pvt. Ltd.
(3000 kgs/hr.) 		Sulfonation Sagar,
M.P. 		2009
13. Global Chemical Co. LLC – (15 Ton/Day) Liquid SO3 Abu Dhabi 2009
14. Hansa Chemi AG – (12000 kg/ hr ) SO3 Generation Germany 2010
15. Nirma Ltd - (2000 kg/hr) Sulfonation Mandali, Gujarat 2010
16. PT.Wilmar Nabati, Indonesia Sulfonation Gresik, Indonesia Under Installation
17. Grandee Biotechnologies SDN BHD, Malaysia
(AS , AES)		 Sulfonation Kuantan, Malaysia Under Installation
18. Godrej Industries Limited
(AOS)		 Sulfonation India Under Installation
19. Narmadha Chemicals Pvt. Ltd.
(3000 kgs/hr.) 		Sulfonation Cuddalore,
T.N. 		Under installation