Know More About Surfactants And How They Work

 

We use surfactants in our day-to-day life in multiple forms. The surfactants may be found in the dish wash liquids, the glass cleaners, the all-purpose cleaners, bathroom cleaners, and the substances used for caring for automobiles. A surfactant may be the most important component of any cleaning detergent. Typically, a surfactant increases the activity on any surface area to which it is applied. It can trap the dirt on the surface, which can be subsequently removed. The water-repelling tail of the surfactant is hydrophobic. The other end of the surfactant is its water-loving or hydrophilic end. The dirt and soil particles are surrounded by the hydrophobic end of the surfactant, while water surrounds the hydrophilic end.

The Working of a Surfactant

The surfactant molecules that are found in a detergent and a solution combine which each other to form large molecules and are called micelles. The head of the micelles will be exposed to the water particles. The tail end of the smaller molecules will stay away from water and will group with each other within the center of the micelle.

A unit of the micelle can effectively remove dirt or soil from any surface. The hydrophobic or the water-hating end of the micelle molecule will envelop the soil or dirt particles. The hydrophilic or the water-loving end of the micelle molecule will pull the dot or soil particles away from the surface. The soil or dirt particles will be drawn into the solution. Once a micelle molecule effectively removes dirt, it will reform its structure.

The Different Types of Surfactants

There can be different types of industrial surfactants based on the charge on the hydrophilic end of the surfactant molecule. This charge can be positive, negative, or neutral.

Anionic surfactants: when there is a negative charge on the hydrophilic end of a micelle and surfactant molecule, it is called an anionic surfactant. The micelle molecule can lift the dirt particles and suspend them due to the negative charge. The detergent and soaps used commonly in homes consist of anionic surfactants as they can attract and remove a wide range of soil and particles. The surfactants are also called high foam surfactants as they produce lots of foam. However, this kind of surfactant has low emulsification properties.

Non-Ionic Surfactants: because there is no charge on the hydrophilic end of the non-ionic surfactants, they are good emulsifying agents. They may be the best options when you want to remove soil and dirt that is organic. However, the anionic surfactant can be combined with a non-ionic or neutral surfactant to form a multipurpose cleaning agent, due to the dual-action. The surfactant emulsifies oil and soil as easily as it can lift and remove the dirt and soil particles.

 

Cationic surfactant: when there is a positive charge on the water-loving or hydrophilic end of the surfactant, it is called a cationic surfactant. These surfactants are often used in fabric softeners and other anti-static products. Cationic surfactants can also kill pathogens and are used as antimicrobial agents. However, a cationic surfactant cannot be combined with an anionic surfactant. It can only be combined with the non-ionic surfactant.

Conclusion

Now that you know about the different kinds of ethoxylated surfactants and their properties, you can make the best choice. You need to consider properties including emulsification and the electrical charge on the surfactant and molecules before you purchase a surfactant. It will help you make an effective purchase that can solve your problem.

Contact Us:

Chemical Products Industries, Inc.

Address: 7649 SW 34th St, Oklahoma City, OK
Phone: (800) 624-4356

All About Surfactant Chemicals

Surfactant chemicals can be produced from natural as well as synthetic materials. These chemicals have versatile uses. They have the special ability to combine and mobilize different incompatible materials, such as oils, water, solvents, and fats. They are used for detergent and cleaning formulations. Certain surfactant chemicals are also used in beauty products and pharmaceuticals.

What are surfactant chemicals?

The term ‘surfactant’ has been derived from the phrase ‘Surface Active Agent’. Surfactants decrease the interfacial or surface tension between a solid and a liquid or between two liquids. They help different materials combine successfully. This ability is the reason behind their unique molecular structure. When you add surfactants to water as a part of cleaning formulation or detergent, they create structures known as ‘micelles’. These are tiny spheres of surfactant molecules that make the combination of items possible.

What are the uses of surfactant chemicals?

When you use the right surfactant chemicals, a particular process or a product becomes more efficient and more sustainable. Here are some of the uses:

Surfactant chemicals, on being added to detergents, help the detergent to get mixed into the water. They help cleaning agents to remove dirt and impurities from the surface that is being cleaned. If you do not use surfactants, soaps or detergents can never mix with water.

Surfactants are also used in lubricants like shaving foams and creams. They allow the razors to glide easily without creating any irritation.

Surfactants in car engine lubricants also help in preventing particles from getting stuck to different parts of the engine. This makes it easy for the parts to move, allowing the proper functioning of the vehicle.

What are the different types of Surfactant Chemicals?

Cationic surfactants

These surfactants have positively charged hydrophilic head groups. These are mostly used in antistatic products like hair conditioners and fabric softeners. The head group carrying a positive charge is deposited into the negatively charged fiber and hair surfaces. Cationic surfactants are also used in hard-surface disinfectants and cleaners as antimicrobial agents.

Anionic surfactants

These surfactants have a negative charge on their head groups. They provide amazing detergency properties. They can bind together particles that are positively charged, for example, oils and dirt. They lift and suspend these particles forming micelles. These kinds of surfactant chemicals are widely used in households and workplaces.

Amphoteric surfactants

Amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants have a positive and negative charge on their head groups. This makes their total charge zero. These substances have low toxic levels. They are tolerant towards hard water and show excellent compatibility with other surfactant chemicals.

Nonionic surfactants

These surfactants do not have a charge on their head groups. Thus, they are milder. For this reason, they are used in households. Nonionic surfactants are mostly used in cosmetics and personal care products. These chemicals are also used in the agrochemical industry in the form of pesticides. They also find uses in the process of refining gas and oil. They are also commonly used in the case of coating applications.

Chemical Products Industries Also Offers Following Services:

Surfactant Manufacturers

Oxygen Removal From Natural Gas

Mercaptan Smell Removal

Degreaser Formulation

Contact US:

Chemical Products Industries, Inc.

Address:  7649 SW 34th St, Oklahoma City, OK
Phone:  (800) 624-4356

Different Methods of Removal of Hydrogen Sulfide from Water

There is no doubt that hydrogen sulfide is a nuisance that we have to learn to live with. Though at lower doses, this gaseous substance may not be harmful, quite often the contamination levels go beyond the threshold levels. When this happens it could turn quite nasty and even dangerous. Even at low levels, the quality of drinking water in wells starts smelling of rotten eggs and in most cases, the reason is the presence of hydrogen sulfide. It is therefore important to find out the sources of contamination and take action accordingly. This foul-smelling gas is emitted when bacteria feed on the sulfur in the water. Further, they are also capable of thriving in very low oxygen environments. They are generally found in plumbing systems and wells. In many cases, hydrogen sulfide may not be noticeable in the water. The chemical reactions that take place in hot water may the reason for that rotten egg smell. This is why it is common to see water heaters having aluminum rods. These rods are capable of reducing hydrogen sulfide quite significantly and thereby reducing the foul smell that we often come across in hot water.

Water Treatment For Overcoming This Problem

Water is a big source of hydrogen sulfide contamination. However, water can easily be treated and several treatment processes are available. You can choose the most efficient one based on the levels of concentration of hydrogen sulfide. It would be better to treat the problem using POE solutions because it is an aesthetic odor problem that impacts many homes. You may have to do some research and then choose the right treatment device. It should not only clean and purify water, but also should be able to take care of hydrogen sulfide contamination.

Filtration And Continuous Chlorination

Oxidation is considered to be one of the most common and successful methods of removing hydrogen sulfide from water. Some special chemicals are used for converting dissolved hydrogen sulfide gas and make them into sulfide. This form of sulfide can be easily removed when the water filtration processes happen. Chlorine is one of the most commonly used methods for oxidizing water and it converts hydrogen sulfide and makes it into an insoluble fiber. However, there are a few things that we need to bear in mind. Chlorination methods and systems have to be maintained properly. The tanks containing chlorine solutions must be cleaned regularly and the mechanical filters also should be backwashed properly. Otherwise, it will have sulfur particles attached to it and this could lead to other complications.

Use of Potassium Permanganate With Filtration

Potassium permanganate like chlorine is another efficient way of h2s removal from the contaminated source. It is injected in the right quantity into the water using a small feed pump capable of handling chemicals. It should be in contact with the water for at least 15 minutes after which the sulfur compound comes out separately. These are oxidized and then can be removed with the help of a zeolite filter or with the help of manganese greensand.

The Final Word

We are sure that the above would have given our readers some idea about ways and means by which it is possible to remove hydrogen sulfide from the water.

 

Contact US:

Chemical Products Industries, Inc.
Address: 7649 SW 34th St, Oklahoma City, OK
Phone: (800) 624-4356

All You Need to Know about Surfactant Chemicals

Whether cleansing your face or washing clothes or doing laundry works, the product that peeps into your mind is surfactants and these compounds will help you to make your task easier and works efficiently. The chemical compound that lowers the surface tension of another substance and improvises the liquid and another compound contact is termed as “Surfactant”. In the chemical industry, the surfactants are actually one of the most versatile products. These products have a wide range of applications that range from detergents in households to drilling muds and from pharmaceuticals to food items.

Many of us may be familiar with the word surfactants but we may not know what actually it is and how do they work. To help you out, we have listed information about surfactants. Also, the benefits of surfactants and other valuable properties are depicted below for giving you a clear vision about the product!

Surfactant- What is it?

In all the cleaning detergents manufacturing process, the primary component used will be surfactant cleaner. The term “surfactant” generally means “surface-active” components. As its name indicates, its prime role is to act on the cleaning surface and helps in getting rid of dirt from the surface.

How actually Surfactant work?

The sufficient number of surfactant molecules in the solution combines with one another and results in the formation of structures called micelles. As soon as micelles are formed, the surfactant compounds arrange themselves in such a way that the head position of the component is exposed to water while the tails are protected from the water since it positions them in the center of the structure.

These micelles work together to remove dirt from the surface. The tails surround the dirt by sticking onto the surface and the head position removes the dirt by pulling it from the surface. Likewise, the surfactant molecules work together on the surface to remove the dirt.

Benefits of Surfactants

Surfactant chemicals mixed with some cleaning agents and help those cleansing agents to remove stains and dirt’s from the surface. Similarly, without the addition of surfactants in soaps, the cleansing process will get worsen since without surfactants the soap will not mix with the water.

Additionally, these chemical compounds can also be used as one of the ingredients in lubricants. In shaving creams, these substances help to limit irritation just by allowing razors to get rid of the stubble.

In cars, surfactants are added to lubricants and help in keeping particles away from the engine parts and keep the car in good running condition.

Other Valuable Properties

In addition to the reduction of surface tension, surfactants are also responsible for performing various other beneficial properties and that includes,

1) Wetting

2) Emulsifying power

3) Suspending power and

4) Foaming

Definitely, we can’t even think of a day without surfactants. It’s been used in almost all of the chemical industries for the manufacturing of various products. Without surfactants, your toothpaste will not foam and there would be a lack of shaving foam and sun creams will seem unappealing.

Surfactants are not only an essential ingredient for home products. It also plays a major role in metal cleaning, oil production, and textile processing too. Choosing the appropriate surfactant will make your process efficient, resource-intensive, less energy requirement and sustainable!

Contact US:

Chemical Products Industries, Inc.
Address: 7649 SW 34th St, Oklahoma City, OK
Phone: (800) 624-4356

Tips for Removing Hydrogen Sulfide

H2S or hydrogen sulfide is a colorless, highly flammable, and poisonous gas that emits an odor of rotten eggs. It is created with the decay of organic matter and the release from liquid manure, sewage sludge, sulfur hot springs.

It is known to be the bi-product of different industrial processes like petroleum refining, natural gas processing, petrochemical plants. There are several negative effects of inhaling hydrogen sulfide which include the failure of the central nervous system, reduction in the ability to intake oxygen, complications in respiratory systems, irritation in eyes, coma, shock, and even death.

There are different ways to remove hydrogen sulfides which are mentioned below:

Hydrogen removal techniques

Sulfate-reducing bacteria, present in the digester, can be used for reducing the inorganic sulfate, which is contained in the digestion process’s feedstock. They also contribute to the level of sulfide in the biogas.

Hydrogen sulfide, present in the biogas can result in corrosiveness, odors, emissions of sulfur, as the gas is burned. If the gas needs to be used in fuel cells, turbines, internal combustion engines, it is essential to remove the hydrogen sulfide, present in the biogas for protecting the equipment.

Multiple treatment techniques that involve the removal of hydrogen sulfides from biogas include NaOH scrubbing, water scrubbing, activated carbon, iron oxide pellets, iron sponge, etc.

Iron sponge process for removing hydrogen sponge

Iron sponge comprises of wood chips or wood shavings which needs to be soaked along with hydrated iron oxide. As it is used for biogas purification, it is exposed to mercaptans and H2S. This results in the production of iron mercaptides and iron sulfides.

Once hydrogen sulfide scavenger msds is removed from the iron sponge, it leads to the formation of iron sulfide. With the removal of the iron sulfide, present in the iron sponge from the specific purification system, it is then exposed to air.

After this, an exothermic reaction occurs where the reoxidization to elemental sulfur and iron oxide takes place.

Removal of hydrogen sulfide through THIOPAQ O&G process

In this process, a biological technique is adopted for removing hydrogen sulfide or H2S from the gas streams. This technique takes place at thirty to forty degree C temperature under ambient pressure that ensures additional safety.

To complete the removal of H2S through this process, the gas first enters into an absorber after which it is followed by the bio reaction. The sulfur handling section is considered to be the last step of the removal of the hydrogen sulfide process. Thus, the presence of hydrogen sulfate is removed from the biogas.

Treatment of the air stream with the activated carbon

Treatment of the effluent air stream with the aid of activated carbon is considered to be an ideal choice for the removal of hydrogen sulfide. General carbon is known to offer customized odor control vessels and filtration systems that help in the removal of hydrogen sulfide.

There are a bunch of ES systems that are designed for a large flow of air whereas some are manufactured for reduced airflow. As such units are used along with activated carbon; it offers the prerequisite solution to the user to remove H2S.

The presence of hydrogen sulfate can lead to adverse health conditions and hence it is a prerequisite to remove them. You should ensure to opt for the above-mentioned techniques for hydrogen sulfide removal.

Contact US:

Chemical Products Industries, Inc.
Address: 7649 SW 34th St, Oklahoma City, OK
Phone: (800) 624-4356