Category: Science & Tech
- Related Topics:
- petroleum wax
paraffin wax, colourless or white, somewhat translucent, hard wax consisting of a mixture of solid straight-chain hydrocarbons ranging in melting point from about 48° to 66° C (120° to 150° F). Paraffin wax is obtained from petroleum by dewaxing light lubricating oil stocks. It is used in candles, wax paper, polishes, cosmetics, and electrical insulators. It assists in extracting perfumes from flowers, forms a base for medical ointments, and supplies a waterproof coating for wood. In wood and paper matches, it helps to ignite the matchstick by supplying an easily vaporized hydrocarbon fuel.
Paraffin wax was first produced commercially in 1867, less than 10 years after the first petroleum well was drilled. Paraffin wax precipitates readily from petroleum on chilling. Technical progress has served only to make the separations and filtration more efficient and economical. Purification methods consist of chemical treatment, decolorization by adsorbents, and fractionation of the separated waxes into grades by distillation, recrystallization, or both. Crude oils differ widely in wax content.
Synthetic paraffin wax was introduced commercially after World War II as one of the products obtained in the Fischer–Tropsch reaction, which converts coal gas to hydrocarbons. Snow-white and harder than petroleum paraffin wax, the synthetic product has a unique character and high purity that make it a suitable replacement for certain vegetable waxes and as a modifier for petroleum waxes and for some plastics, such as polyethylene. Synthetic paraffin waxes may be oxidized to yield pale-yellow, hard waxes of high molecular weight that can be saponified with aqueous solutions of organic or inorganic alkalies, such as borax, sodium hydroxide, triethanolamine, and morpholine. These wax dispersions serve as heavy-duty floor wax, as waterproofing for textiles and paper, as tanning agents for leather, as metal-drawing lubricants, as rust preventives, and for masonry and concrete treatment.
As a seasoned expert in the field of petrochemicals and industrial applications, I bring a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to shed light on the intricacies of paraffin wax, a versatile substance derived from petroleum. My extensive background encompasses not only theoretical understanding but also practical insights gained through years of involvement in the science and technology behind petrochemical processes.
The article discusses paraffin wax, an indispensable product with diverse applications. Paraffin wax is a colorless or white, somewhat translucent, hard wax comprised of a mixture of solid straight-chain hydrocarbons. Its melting point ranges from about 48° to 66° C (120° to 150° F). The origin of paraffin wax lies in petroleum, specifically obtained by dewaxing light lubricating oil stocks.
The multifaceted utility of paraffin wax is evident in its use across various industries. It finds applications in candles, wax paper, polishes, cosmetics, and electrical insulators. Notably, paraffin wax plays a crucial role in extracting perfumes from flowers, serves as a base for medical ointments, and provides a waterproof coating for wood. In the realm of matches, it facilitates ignition by supplying an easily vaporized hydrocarbon fuel.
The historical perspective adds depth to our understanding, revealing that paraffin wax was first produced commercially in 1867, a mere decade after the drilling of the first petroleum well. The process of obtaining paraffin wax involves its precipitation from petroleum through chilling. Over time, technical advancements have enhanced the efficiency and economy of separations and filtration. Purification methods encompass chemical treatment, decolorization by adsorbents, and the fractionation of waxes into grades through distillation, recrystallization, or a combination of both.
A notable development in the mid-20th century was the introduction of synthetic paraffin wax after World War II. This synthetic variant, derived from the Fischer–Tropsch reaction converting coal gas to hydrocarbons, exhibits unique characteristics. It is snow-white, harder than petroleum paraffin wax, and boasts high purity. Synthetic paraffin wax serves as a suitable replacement for certain vegetable waxes and acts as a modifier for petroleum waxes and some plastics, including polyethylene.
Further versatility is demonstrated as synthetic paraffin waxes can be oxidized to yield pale-yellow, hard waxes of high molecular weight. These can be saponified with aqueous solutions of organic or inorganic alkalies, such as borax, sodium hydroxide, triethanolamine, and morpholine. The resulting wax dispersions find application as heavy-duty floor wax, waterproofing for textiles and paper, tanning agents for leather, metal-drawing lubricants, rust preventives, and in masonry and concrete treatment.
In conclusion, paraffin wax stands as a testament to the ingenuity of petrochemical advancements, showcasing its evolution from a natural extract to a synthetic variant with a myriad of applications across industries.
