Linear Alkylbenzenes: An Overview of the CommercialHFand Detal™ Process Unit Alkylation Technology (Case Study)

Abstract

Linear alkylbenzene (LAB) is the precursor to the biodegradable detergent surfactant linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS). This chapter will review the two predominant commercial alkylation routes for LAB production: homogenous acid alkylation using hydrofluoric (HF) acid and solid acid alkylation. HF alkylation was the preferred route until 1995 when UOP (now Honeywell UOP) and Cepsa introduced a solid acid catalyst alternative – the Detal™ Process Unit. The Detal™ Process Unit produces LAB with an inherently safer and HF-free process and because of this, now represents the majority of new LAB manufacturing capacity. Since its first commercialization, the Detal™ Process Unit has been constantly renewed with innovations on many fronts, including utility savings, operability, product quality, and maximizing throughput. This chapter will summarize these technology advancements in detail.