The preparation of aluminium soaps by a continuous process. I. Aluminium laurate

Abstract

An account is given of the laboratory preparation of aluminium dilaurate using a continuous process. The effect, on the quality of the soap produced, of changing variables such as concentration and proportions of the reacting solutions, degree of agitation and time and temperature of reaction, has been found. It is shown that the product of the best quality, when judged by the consistency and storage stability of gels in hydrocarbons, is obtained when the reaction pH is kept within the range 3.5–4.0. The process was later successfully transferred to a pilot plant.