Dilution Of High Active Surfactants

By Matt Smith

Surfactants such as Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES) are widely used in shampoo, bubble bath, liquid detergent and other cleansing products, and are traditionally supplied and used at a concentration of 25-28%.

Dilution of 70% surfactants can be carried out in batches or continuously, provided two rules are observed:

• The concentrate is added to the water, NEVER the other way around.
• The concentration on dilution never exceeds 27%.

High Active Surfactants and water are of widely differing viscosities. If surfactants are pumped into the water in the vessel, they are not easily blended by conventional agitators. This can lead to globules of surfactant remaining undiluted or being partially diluted.

Read more about why dilution is best carried out using a high shear in-line mixer.