Separation of some paraffin wax grades using solvent extraction technique

Solvent extraction technique has been used to separate paraffin wax grades; with different characteristics; from El-Ameria light, middle and heavy slack waxes. The wax deoiling has been done by solvent extraction at different extraction temperatures and different solvent feed ratios (S/F by weight). The extraction solvents used are furfural, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) and N, N, dimethylacetamide (DMA). The wax products are evaluated according to TAPPI-ASTM equation and petroleum wax specifications. The data revealed that DMA and NMP are suitable extracting solvents for isolating of semi- and scale-refined grades of paraffin waxes from light and middle slack waxes. But furfural solvent can separate only semi-microcrystalline waxes from heavy slack wax.

► Solvent extraction technique for separation of different paraffin wax grades.
► Light, middle and heavy slack waxes used in this study.
► Furfural, DMA and NMP used as extracting solvents at different temperatures and solvent ratios.
► NMP solvent the most suitable solvent for separation of different paraffin wax grades.