Definition of labsa
Labsa stands for Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulphonic Acid. Labsa or Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulphonic Acid as the name suggest, is an acid and has acidic properties such as low pH value, sour-taste, conducts electricity and reacts with alkalis. They are a viscous transparent yellowish to brown in color with a chemical formula is CH3 (CH2)11 C6H4 SO3H.
They are commonly used as a raw material for various household detergents including laundry powders, laundry liquids, dishwashing liquids and other household cleaners. They are also used for the production of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate sodium, ammonium and ethanolamine salts. It can also be used as a curing catalyst for amino baking varnishes.
Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulphonic Acid are the most common chemical used as a synthetic surfactant in the industry. This because of its low cost, good performance, flexibility to turn to a stable powder and the fact that it is biodegradable. Because of this fact, labsa is an anionic surfactant widely used in formulation of all ranges of domestic detergent in the world.
Labsa (Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulphonic Acid) are commonly produced by the process called sulphonation when Alkyl Benzene are reacted with Sulphur trioxide (SO). They can also be produced by reacting the aromatic (Alkyl Benzene) with other reagent such as Oleum or Sulphuric acid but considering major factors such as cost, availability, flexibility and safety, Sulphur trioxide is the preferred reagent among most manufacturers.
Labsa is one of the major active ingredients for the production of soaps and detergents. More importantly, they form a bigger percentage of raw materials for the production of liquid soaps. To manufacture labsa some company utilize the falling film reactor while some other company utilize the stirred tank reactor. It all depends on their preferences and costs.