ANALYSIS OF LAS,ABS AND COMMERCIAL DETERGENTS BY TWO-PHASE TITRATION1

ABSTRACT: A two-phase titration method was developed and evaluated to determine the concentration of linear alkylate sulfonate (LAS), branched-chain alkyl benzene sulfonate (ABS), dishwashing detergents, and laundry detergents in water. This method is capable of quantitatively determining anionic surfactants in either fresh water or saline water and it is therefore superior to the widely used Methylene Blue Method. To simplify the titration method for adoptation to remote field utilization, a field test kit was developed. This test kit includes only a separatory funnel, a titration burette, a set of liquid measuring apparatus, and some chemicals. Emphasis was placed on compactness of the kit and simplicity in the test manipulation, so that its operation can be performed by relatively unskilled wastewater monitoring personnel.