Raising the efficiency of petrolatum deoiling process by using non-polar modifier concentrates separated from paraffin wastes to produce different petroleum products

Abstract

Deoiling of crude petrolatum was intensified by addition of 1 wt.% of non-polar modifier concentrates separated from slack wax waste and compared with pure n-alkane mixtures;(C 20 +C 22 ) and (C 24 +C 26 ). Data revealed that, 1 wt.% of the separated (C 20 +C 22 ) n-alkane mixture is selected as the preferable modifier to intensify and improve the deoiling process of crude petrolatum. X-ray diffraction patterns and SEM photographs observed that, the addition of 1 wt.% of non-polar modifier concentrates gave hard waxes having somewhat crystal growing and higher crystal sizes and possess more holes than the hard waxes separated without using a modifier. Different petroleum products were produced by using both the products of petrolatum deoiling process; the microcrystalline wax and the slop wax. Various grades of hardened ceresin were formulated by addition of low density poly ethylene with the separated microcrystalline wax. Fourteen formulated blends of petrolatum were prepared based on the microcrystalline wax and slop wax saturate with heavy and light paraffin oils, respectively. According to the standard specifications of US Pharmacopoeia and National Formulary of petrolatum and Ultra Chemical Inc. of liquid petrolatum, the blend formulations (3-8) are classified as technical petrolatums. Meanwhile, two of them (7 & 8) are classified also as liquid petrolatums. The blend formulations (9-14) are classified as white pharmaceutical petrolatums. Meanwhile, three of them (12-14) are also within the limits of standard specifications of ultrapure liquid petrolatums.

Introductory Chapter: Petroleum Paraffins

“…As the consumption of wax products in the world wax market increases; especially for food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic grades and specialty wax; the increase of profitability of wax production will lie on the improvement of blending and modification techniques for macro-and microcrystalline waxes as base materials as well as the development and applications of new wax products [25].…”