Characterization and Classification of Some Egyptian Petroleum Crude Waxes Using Different Techniques

Abstract

In order to characterize and identify some crude waxes, derived from various Egyptian petroleum distillates and residues, suitable for production of different types of petroleum waxes, many standard test procedures have been used for measurement the physical characteristics of crude waxes and wax products. Moreover, some analytical techniques such as gas chromatography (GC), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (H-NMR), urea adducting analysis, and solid-liquid chromatography have been used to characterize the crude waxes. Finally, one stage fractional crystallization has been done to separate the hard waxes from El-Ameria and Suez heavy slack waxes and Alexandria and Suez crude petrolatums using ethyl acetate solvent at an ambient temperature of 20○C and at fixed dilution and washing solvent ratios of 7:1 and 6:1 by weight, respectively. The resulting wax products are evaluated according to TAPPI-ASTM equation and petroleum wax specifications.