New applications for fatty acids and derivatives

Abstract

AbstractThe early development of the American fatty acid industry during 1900–1920 is usually associated with the use of stearic acid in candles for lighting purposes. Today, the use of stearic acid in candle manufacture continues; the volume consumed for this application is not small, but the use is for ornamental, decorative or festival purposes, only incidentally for emergency lighting purposes. When one consideres that most condles consist of 10–20% stearic acid, which improves among other things, the appearance, burning qualities and stiffness of the candle, the volume consumed is appreciable. More than that, the growth rate in this use is impressive. In 1965, it has been estimated that the volume of double‐pressed stearic acid that found its wya into candles was 3.5 million pounds. Today (1979) it is conservatively estimated that from 10–12 million pounds are utilized for this purpose. Innovations, such as the development of driples candles, achieved by the incorporation of a somewhat larger proportion of stearic acid to the external wax coat, are now possible uses. Concrete and asphalt are examples of much‐used large tonnage materials of construction which have disadvantages in use that can be at least partially or significantly improved through the incorporation of stearic acid or certain other fatty chemicals. An excellent example of the tailor‐making of fatty acid derivatives to satisfy an almost desperate need is provided by the development of derivatives suited for the retardation of water evaporation from reservoirs in arid areas. In 1966 it was estimated that the evaporation from large lakes and reservoirs in 17 western states was equivalent to 14 million acre feet, an amount which could ordinarily supply 84 million people annually. The design of water insoluble long chain organic compounds with a hydrophilic group at one terminal position gives products capable of forming monomolecular films which are uniquely suited to solve this problem. Fatty alcohol ethoxylates are only one approach among several.