The effect of tallow-based detergents on anaerobic digestion

Eight anionic detergents from three general classes (alcohol sulfates,a-sulfo fatty acid esters and alkylbenzenesulfonates were tested for biodegradability under anaerobic conditions of sludge digestion. The alcohol sulfates were found to be readily and completely degraded. Thea-sulfo fatty acid esters did not degrade but had no adverse effect on bacteriological digestion while the alkylbenzenesulfonates used for control purposes did not degrade and disrupted the normal digestion process. Preliminary lysimeter studies showed that sodium isopropyla-sulfostearate is completely degraded, linear alkylbenzenesulfonate 83%, and ABS 35%. Presented at the AOCS meeting, Chicago, 1964. E. Utiliz. Res. Devel. Div., ARS, USDA.