The Functions of Nonionic Surfactants in Productions -2

1. Nonionic surfactants in leather production

The need of nonionic surfactant is limited in leather production, however nonionic surfactant is very important in enhancing the quality of leather. Leather production includes pre-treatment, tanning, fatliquoring, dyeing, finishing and many other processes. Among these processes, nonionic surfactants are mainly used in tanning and fatliquoring. In practice, nonionic surfactant polyoxyethylene ethers are often used to give the leather a better hand feeling, so that the final leather produced appears smoother and has a more vivid color.

2. Nonionic surfactants in coal production

In coal production, nonionic surfactants determine the quality of coal. Due to ubiquitous problems of high ash content and high humidity in coal, nonionic surfactant becomes an indispensable chemical in the production of coal. Flotation is often used in coal production, where air is injected into coal slurry, then surfactant is added to the slurry to form a layer of hydrophobic film on the surface of coal, so that the small coal particles can adhere to the air bubbles and float to the surface of the slurry, and then high-purity clean coal can be obtained. In coal production, nonionic surfactants with low hydrophilic-lipophilic balance value are mainly used.