Synthesis of methyl ester sulphonate by sulfonation of soybean oil methyl ester for chemical flooding application

This research has accomplished the synthesis of Surfactant Methyl Ester Sulphonate from Methyl Soyate and Sodium Bisulfite as sulfonating agent. The Steps of the synthesis were reaction, purification, neutralization, and separation. The reaction done by several variated condition such as Reaction Temperature (100, 110, 120)°C, Reaction time (210, 270, 330)minute, and the mole ratio between Methyl Soyate and NaHSO₃ (1:1, 1:1.5, 1:2) with 1.5 % of Al₂O₃ as catalyst of sulfonation reaction. The purification process was conducted at 55 °C and 60 minute by adding Methanol 35 % v/v. The neutralization done was conducted by 20 % of NaOH until pH 6-8. And the rest of the methanol are separated from MES using rotary evaporator. MES which is pass the compatibility Test is MES at the condition of reaction (100 °C, 210 minute and 1 : 2 mole ratio).This MES has tested by FT - IR to see the existence of the Sulphonate group.The FT-IR test result has shown the existence of the Sulphonate group at wave length between 1000 until 1300 cm^-1. Which is the highest peak at 1176 cm-1. From the qualitative test above, then the MES performed by IFT Test with light oil of X- field as comparison. The IFT results has shown a decrease of the interfacial tensions between 12,000 ppm of brine water and the light oil with addition of 0.3 % (v/v) MES, from 3.36 dyne/cm² to 1.54 dyne/cm². (author)