Soaps and Detergents

Reported By:

Rellin, Nerisa D.
Trujillo, Godwin P.
Ventura, Rizzi Carla P.
Presentation
Main Points
✔ Introduction
✔ History
✔ Soaps & Detergents (differences & properties)
✔ Process flowchart
✔ Unit operation & Unit processes
✔ Chemical Reactions
✔ Uses
Cleaning products play an essential role in our daily
lives. By safely and effectively removing soils, germs
and other contaminants, they help us to stay healthy, care
for our homes and possessions, and make our
surroundings more pleasant.

Soaps and detergents are essential to personal and public

health. Through their ability to loosen and remove soil
from a surface, they contribute to good personal hygiene;
reduce the presence of germs that cause infectious
diseases; extend the useful life of clothes, tableware,
linens, surfaces and furnishings; and make our homes
and workplaces more pleasant.
 Soaps Detergents

Differences They are metal salts of long chain higher fatty

acids.
These are sodium salts of long chain
hydrocarbons like alkyl sulphates or alkyl
benzene sulphonates.

These are prepared from vegetable oils and They are prepared from hydrocarbons of
animal fats. petroleum or coal.

They cannot be used effectively in hard water as These do not produce insoluble precipitates in
they produce scum i.e., insoluble precipitates of hard water. They are effective in soft, hard or salt
Ca2+, Mg2+, Fe2+ etc. water.

These cannot be used in acid solutions. They can be used even in acid solutions.

Their cleansing action is not as strong as that of Their cleansing action is by surfactants, which is
detergents. a strong cleansing action.

These are biodegradable. Some of these are not biodegradable.

 Properties
➢ Soaps or detergents are cleansing agents that are capable of reacting with water to
dislodge these foreign particles from a solid surface (e.g. cloth or skin). Soaps have
their origin in oils and fats present in the animal and plant kingdom and synthetic
detergents find their source in mineral oils (hydrocarbon compounds of petroleum
or coal). Chemically speaking, Soaps are sodium or potassium salts of higher fatty
acids like stearic, palmitic and oleic acids can be either saturated or unsaturated.
They contain a long hydrocarbon chain of about 10-20 carbon with one carboxylic
acid group as the functional group. Saturated fatty acids such as stearic and palmitic
etc. contain only single bonds in their molecule, while unsaturated fatty acids such
as oleic, linoleic etc., contain one or more double bonds.
Thus, soaps are usually a mixture of the sodium salts of the following acids:

➢ Stearic acid as sodium stearate (C17H35COONa) - saturated fatty acid; from

vegetable oils like linseed oil, soyabean oil.
➢ Palmitic acid as sodium palmitate (C15H31COONa) - saturated fatty acid; Palm
oil, animal fat.
➢ Oleic acid as sodium oleate (C17H33COONa) - unsaturated fatty acid;
Vegetable oils like linseed oil, soyabean oil.
➢ When soap is made from the sodium salts of the acids of cheap oils or fats, the
resulting soap is hard. These soaps contain free alkalis and are mainly used as
washing bars for laundry. When soap is prepared from the potassium salts of
the acids of good grade oils and fat, it results in soft soap. These soaps do not
contain free alkalis. They produce more lather and are used mainly as toilet
soaps, shaving cream and shampoos.
The following are characteristics of detergent in water:

1. Wettability
2. Emulsifying
3. Dispersibility
Soaps
➢ Soaps are water-soluble sodium
or potassium salts of fatty acids.
Soaps are made from fats and
oils, or their fatty acids, by
treating them chemically with a
strong alkali.

➢ Prepared by Saponification
Process.
SAPONIFICATION
is a process that involves the conversion of fat, or oil
into soap and alcohol by the action of heat in the presence of aqueous
alkali (e.g. NaOH). The term saponification is the name given to the
chemical reaction that occurs when a vegetable oil or animal fat is
mixed with a strong alkali. The products of the reaction are two: soap
and glycerin.
 RAW MATERIALS
USED FOR SOAP PREPARATION
 FATS OR TALLOW
Tallow is the principle fatty material
used to prepare soap. the quantities used are
about three-fourths of the total oils and fats
consumed by the soap industry. it contains
the mixed glycerides obtained from the
solid fat of cattle. the solid fat is digested
with steam: the tallow forms a layer above
the water so that it can easily be removed.
FATTY OILS
ALKALI
SOAP BUILDERS
Unit Operation
BOILING
The boiling process is conducted in a series of
steps called changes; these occur in the kettle.
In the first step, melted fats are placed in the
kettle, and caustic soda solution is added
gradually. The whole mass is then boiled with
open steam from perforated coils within the
kettle. The saponification reaction now takes
place; the mass gradually thickens or
emulsifies as the caustic soda reacts with the
fat to produce both soap and glycerin.
Refining
➢Refining oils by treating them with alkali to
remove the free fatty acids is a technique
commonly used in oil mills. As stated
above, "soap stocks" are produced as a by-
product. The free fatty acids, in the form
palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD), is a by-
product that is removed from refined oil
during the physical refining process.
Plodding
After the soap has been thoroughly milled it is
ready for plodding. A plodder is so constructed as to
take the soap ribbons fed into the hopper by means of a
worm screw and continuously force it under great
pressure through a jacketed cylinder through which cold
water circulates in the rear to compensate the heat
produced by friction and hot water at the front, to soften
and polish the soap which passes out in solid form in
bars of any shape and size depending upon the form of
the shaping plate through which it is emitted.
 Cake cutting

The bars run upon a roller board, are

cut into the required length by a special cake
cutting table, allowed to dry slightly and
pressed either automatically or by a foot
power press in any suitable soap die. The
finished cake is then ready for wrapping and
after due time in stock reaches the consumer.
Packing / Stamping
After all above unit operations the outcome
is soap bar. To release to the market the last
product direct through the stamping and packing
unit operation. The final stage of the detergents
and soap manufacturing process is the packaging.
In this stage, the finished product is packed for
final supply to consumer. During the packaging
stage, bar soaps are either wrapped or cartooned
in single packs or multipacks.
Unit Processes
Hydrogenation
By catalysis or any other process - makes palm
oil and tallow more resistant to oxidation and rancidity,
and improves their properties. However, the production of
hydrogenated fats and oils with the desired properties
requires a degree of technical expertise and practical
experience which is hard to justify in developing
countries. This treatment may be used in the manufacture
of margarines in an oleaginous-based industry.
 CHEMICAL REFINING

The oil is mixed with caustic soda

(NaOH, sodium hydroxide) . The mixture
is heated, stirred then separated. This
process removes free fatty acids in form of
soap stock and also removes minerals and
impurities.
CHEMICAL BLEACHING

The bleaching of edible oils and fats is a

part of the refining process of crude oils and
fats, which removes contaminants that
adversely impact the appearance and
performance of these triglyceride
(triacylglycerol)-based materials. Originally
described as a process of mixing oil and clay
adsorbent to remove color
DEODORISATION
Generally achieved by passing a
current of superheated steam through the oil
(160 - 220° C). Deodorization removes
odorous substances, free fatty acids and
molecules generated from previous processes
that gives an unpleasant smell oil.
Detergents
Detergents
A detergent is a chemical compound or mixture of compounds
used as a cleaning agent. It is an effective cleaning product
because it contains one or more surfactants.

Detergents are commonly used in products for personal hygiene,

dishwashing, and laundry. They are also used as ingredients in
antiseptic agents, and dry-cleaning solutions.

Detergents are available in three forms, namely powder detergent,

bar detergent and liquid detergent.
Raw Materials in the production of detergent
SURFACTANTS
➢ Surfactants are one of many different compounds that make up a
detergent. They are added to remove dirt from skin, clothes and
household articles particularly in kitchens and bathrooms.

➢ Perform other important functions in cleaning, such as loosening,

emulsifying (dispersing in water) and holding soil in suspension until it
can be rinsed away.

➢ The surfactants of both soap and detergent perform the primary cleaning
and sudsing of the washing action in the same way the reduction of
surface tension.
BUILDERS
➢ Boost detergent power.
➢ Detergent builders are chemical compounds that are added to a
detergent product to improve its cleaning properties.
➢ Compounds which are added to detergents during preparation for
lowering surface tension of water and extending foam for the
prevention of redeposition of soil and dirt on fabric, to increase the
effectiveness, brightness, and reduce the overall cost of detergent.

Ex. Sodium tripolyphosphates

Tetrasodium phosphate
ADDITIVES
Detergent additives are used to enhance the cleaning efficiency.

❑ Filler (Drying agent) - To make the solid detergent dry and enable the liquid
detergent to be poured easily. (e.g. sodium sulphate, sodium silicate)

❑ Anti-redeposition agents (Carboxyl methyl cellulose) – it is used for prevention of

redeposition of soil and dirt on the fabric. Its amount is 1-3% of total detergents.

❑ Biological enzymes (e.g. amylase, protease, cellulose, lipase) – To break down

and remove stains such as proteins, fats, carbohydrates, bloods and oils.

❑ Perfumes or Fragrance – To improve the product quality To give detergent and

fabrics a better smell.
Simplified continuous flowchart for the production of detergent
Unit Operation
 MIXING
Mixing procedure in this detergent crutcher starts
with heating of the surfactant blend to the proper
temperature. Heating fluid is circulated through the
jacketed vessel and the anchor agitator scrapes the
sidewalls to optimize heat transfer. As the solid builders
(such as phosphates and carbonate) and fillers are added,
the high shear agitators are turned on. Mixer speeds are
fine-tuned to accommodate changes in viscosity,
temperature and product turnover. Once a uniform
dispersion is achieved, additives like bleach, bleach
activators, anti-static agents, fabric softeners, optical
brighteners, perfumes, etc. are mixed into the slurry and the
batch is cooled.
 Spray Drying
The slurry is heated and then pumped to the top of a
tower where it is sprayed through nozzles (under high
pressure) to create small forming hollow granules as
they dry. The droplets fall through a current of hot air,
thereby collected from the bottom of the spray tower.
 CYCLONIC SEPARATION
Dry cyclones and cyclonic impingement scrubbers are the
primary collection equipment employed to capture the detergent dust in
the spray dryer exhaust for return to processing. Dry cyclones are used
in parallel or in series to collect this particulate matter (PM) and recycle
it back to the crutcher. The dry cyclone separators can remove 90
percent or more by weight of the detergent product fines from the
exhaust air. Cyclonic impinged scrubbers are used in parallel to collect
the particulate from a scrubbing slurry and to recycle it to the crutcher.
 Screening
Screening Machine is used for
screening/pulverizing detergent powder to break
lumps so that the detergent powder is free-
flowing. Screening improve product
quality in production process of detergent
powder by removing oversized granules.
 FABRIC FILTRATION
A fabric filter, sometimes referred to as a baghouse, utilizes
fabric filtration to remove particles from the contaminated stream by
depositing the particles on fabric material. The filter's ability to
collect small micrometer and sub-micrometer particles is due to the
accumulated dust cake and not the fabric itself. Fabric filters are
generally used, not only to reduce or to eliminate dust emissions, but
also to recover raw materials. The dust emissions principally consist
of detergent compounds, although some of the particles are
uncombined phosphates, sulfates, and other mineral compounds.
Unit Processes
 SULFONATION-SULFATION

Sulfonation/sulfation is carried out continuously

in a reactor where the oleum (a solution of sulfur trioxide
in sulfuric acid) is brought into contact with the
hydrocarbon. The stream is then mixed with water, where
the surfactant separates and is then sent to a settler. The
spent acid is drawn off and usually forwarded for
reprocessing, and the sulfonated/sulfated materials are
sent to be neutralized.
 NEUTRALIZATION

The sulfonated sulfated products are

neutralized with NaOH solution under
controlled temperature to maintain
fluidity of the surfactant slurry.
Uses of Soaps and Detergents
 Personal Cleansing Products
➢ include bar soaps, gels, liquid soaps and heavy
duty hand cleaners. These products get their
cleaning action from soap, other surfactants or
a combination of the two. The choice of
cleaning agent helps determine the product's
lathering characteristics, feel on the skin and
rinsability.
 Bar soaps or Gels
➢ are formulated for cleaning the hands, face
and body. Depending on the other ingredients,
they may also moisturize the skin and/or
inhibit odor-causing bacteria. Specialty bars
include transparent/ translucent soaps, luxury
soaps and medicated soaps.

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 Liquid soaps

➢ are generally formulated for cleaning

hands, and feature skin conditioners. Some
contain antimicrobial agents that kill or
inhibit disease-causing bacteria.

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 Heavy duty hand cleaners

➢ are available as bars, liquids, powders

and pastes. Formulated for removing
stubborn, greasy dirt, they may include
an abrasive.

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Laundry Detergents and Laundry Aids
➢ are available as liquids, powders, gels, sticks,
sprays, pumps, sheets and bars. They are
formulated to meet a variety of soil and stain
removal, bleaching, fabric softening and
conditioning, and disinfectant needs under
varying water, temperature and use
conditions.
 Laundry detergents
➢ are either general purpose or light duty.

a. General purpose detergents - are suitable for all

washable fabrics. Liquids work best on oily soils
and for pretreating soils and stains. Powders are
especially effective in lifting out clay and ground in
dirt.

b. Light duty detergents - are used for hand or

machine washing lightly soiled items and delicate
fabrics

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 Laundry aids
➢ contribute to the effectiveness of laundry
detergents and provide special functions.

1. Bleaches (chlorine and oxygen) -whiten and brighten

fabrics and help remove stubborn stains. They
convert soils into colorless, soluble particles that
can be removed by detergents and carried away in
the wash water. Liquid chlorine bleach (usually a
sodium hypochlorite solution) can also disinfect and
deodorize fabrics. Oxygen (color safe) bleach is
more gentle and works safely on almost all
washable fabrics.

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2. Fabric softeners - added to the
final rinse or dryer, make fabrics
softer and fluffier; decrease static
cling, wrinkling and drying time;
impart a pleasing fragrance and
make ironing easier.

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Dishwashing Products
➢ include detergents for hand and
machine dishwashing as well as
some specialty products. They are
available as liquids, gels, powders
and solids.
Dishwashing detergents

➢ remove food soils, hold soil in

suspension and provide long-
lasting suds that indicate how
much cleaning power is left in
the wash water.

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Lime and rust removers
➢ remove deposits of lime and/or
rust from the interior of the
dishwasher. They are used when
no dishes or other dishwasher
products are present.

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Rinse agents
➢ are used in addition to the
automatic dishwasher detergent
to lower surface tension, thus
improving draining of the water
from dishes and utensils. Better
draining minimizes spotting and
filming and enhances drying.

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Household Cleaners
➢ are available as liquids, gels, powders, solids, sheets
and pads for use on painted, plastic, metal, porcelain,
glass and other surfaces, and on washable floor
coverings. Because no single product can provide
optimum performance on all surfaces and soils, a
broad range of products has been formulated to
clean efficiently and easily. While all-purpose
cleaners are intended for more general use, others
work best under highly specialized conditions.
All-purpose cleaners

➢ penetrate and loosen soil, soften

water and prevent soil from
redepositing on the cleaned
surface. Some also disinfect.

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 Abrasive cleaners
➢ remove heavy accumulations of soil
often found in small areas. The
abrasive action is provided by small
mineral or metal particles, fine steel
wool, copper or nylon particles. Some
also disinfect.

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Glass and multi-surface cleaners

remove soils from a variety of

smooth surfaces. They shine
surfaces without streaking.

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Gloss cleaners

loosen an dissolve oily soils

found on glass, and dry
quickly without streaking.
Tub, tile and sink cleaners

remove normal soils found on bathroom

surfaces as well as hard water deposits,
soap scum, rust stains, and/or mildew
and mold. Some also treat surfaces to
retard soiling; some also disinfect.

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 Metal cleaners
remove soils and polish metalware.
Tarnish, the oxidation of metal, is the
principal soil found on metalware. Some
products also protect cleaned metalware
against rapid retarnishing.

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Rug shampoos and upholstery
cleaners

dissolve oily and greasy soils

and hold them in suspension
for removal. Some also treat
surfaces to repel soil.

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Toilet bowl cleaners
prevent or remove stains caused by
hard water and rust deposits, and
maintain a clean and pleasant-
smelling bowl. Some products also
disinfect.

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