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 enhanced by the addition of 1 wt% of non-polar modifier concentrates separated from slack wax waste and compared with pure n-alkane mixtures of (C₂₀ + C₂₂) and (C₂₄ + C₂₆). The data revealed that 1 wt% of the separated (C₂₀ + C₂₂) n-alkane mixture is the preferable modifier to improve the deoiling process of crude petrolatum. X-ray diffraction patterns and SEM photographs showed that the addition of 1 wt% of non-polar modifier concentrates gave hard waxes having some crystal growth and larger crystal sizes and possessing more holes than the hard waxes separated without using a modifier. Different petroleum products were produced using both of the products of the petrolatum deoiling process: the microcrystalline wax and the slop wax. Various grades of hardened ceresin were formulated by the addition of low density polyethylene to 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 the US Pharmacopoeia and National Formulary of petrolatum and Ultra Chemical Inc. of liquid petrolatum, the blend formulations (3–8) were classified as technical petrolatums. Two of these blends (7 & 8) were also classified as liquid petrolatums. The blend formulations (9–14) were classified as white pharmaceutical petrolatums. Meanwhile, three of these blends (12–14) were also within the limits of the standard specifications of ultrapure liquid petrolatums.