[Chemical Knowledge]：Properties, uses, upstream and downstream raw materials, storage methods of paraffin wax, main uses of paraffin wax

Paraffin wax properties

Paraffin wax, chemical name for alkane wax, is a white or yellowish solid substance extracted from petroleum or coal. Its main component is normal alkanes, the molecular weight is generally between 300 and 600, and the number of carbon atoms is between 20 and 40. Paraffin wax has several important physical properties: a melting point between 46°C and 68°C, a density of about 0.9g/cm³, and low thermal and electrical conductivity. Paraffin has excellent chemical resistance, stable to acid and alkali solution, not easy to oxidation deterioration. Therefore, paraffin wax is often used in applications where chemical resistance is required, such as coatings and anti-corrosion materials.

Paraffin wax uses

Paraffin wax is widely used in many industries due to its unique properties. In daily necessities, paraffin wax is the main raw material for making candles, wax paper and crayons; in the cosmetics industry, paraffin wax is used as emollient and base oil; in the food industry, paraffin wax is used to make food packaging materials, food additives, and coating materials. Paraffin wax is also widely used in the field of medicine, such as the manufacture of medicinal wax tablets and medical gypsum; in agriculture, paraffin wax is used as a pesticide and seed coating agent; in the industrial field, paraffin wax can be used as electrical insulation materials, anti-corrosion coatings, rubber plasticizers, textile lubricants, etc.

Paraffin upstream and downstream raw materials

The upstream raw materials of paraffin wax are mainly crude oil and coal. Through the process steps of vacuum distillation, solvent dewaxing and hydrofining in the petroleum refining process, paraffin wax can be extracted from crude oil. Some components of coal tar can also be refined into paraffin by a similar process. The downstream products of paraffin include various paraffin products and paraffin-based materials, such as candles, cosmetics, packaging materials, insulation materials, etc. The downstream application of paraffin determines the diversity and universality of its market demand, which also makes paraffin wax have a relatively stable demand and price in the international market.

Paraffin wax production process

The production of paraffin wax mainly includes three main steps: raw material treatment, dewaxing and refining. In the raw material treatment, crude oil or coal tar is subjected to vacuum distillation to obtain paraffin oil. Subsequently, the paraffin wax is separated from the oil by a solvent dewaxing process to obtain crude paraffin wax. The impurities in crude paraffin are removed by processes such as hydrofining or oxidation refining to produce pure paraffin. Each step of the process has an important impact on the quality and yield of paraffin, therefore, optimizing the production process is an important way to improve the efficiency and quality of paraffin production.

Paraffin wax storage method

Due to the physical and chemical properties of paraffin wax, care should be taken to prevent high temperature and fire sources when storing paraffin wax. Paraffin wax should be stored in a dry, ventilated and cool warehouse, avoiding direct sunlight and high temperature environment to prevent paraffin wax from melting and deteriorating. Keep the storage environment clean and avoid impurities mixed into paraffin wax. For large-scale storage, paraffin wax can be packed in barrels or bags. Pay attention to prevent heavy pressure when stacking and prevent packaging damage. The paraffin shall be transported by special transportation tools to avoid mixing with other chemicals to ensure the safety and purity of paraffin during transportation.

Paraffin wax market prospect

With the development of economy and the improvement of people's living standards, the application demand of paraffin wax in various industries is increasing. Especially in the field of packaging materials, cosmetics and medicine, the market demand for paraffin wax shows a steady growth trend. With technological progress and process optimization, the production cost of paraffin is expected to be further reduced, which will help enhance its market competitiveness. In the future, the paraffin wax market will continue to grow steadily, especially in emerging markets and applications, which will bring more opportunities to the paraffin wax industry.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

In the production and use of paraffin wax, environmental protection and safety issues need to be paid great attention. Waste gas, waste water and solid waste may be produced in the production process of paraffin wax. If these wastes are not handled properly, they will pollute the environment. Therefore, enterprises need to take effective environmental protection measures, such as waste gas purification, waste water treatment and solid waste recycling. Paraffin is a combustible substance. During production, storage and use, safety operation procedures should be strictly observed to prevent fire and explosion accidents.

Conclusion

As an important chemical raw material, paraffin has excellent physical and chemical properties and broad application prospects. Through scientific production technology and strict storage methods, the quality and safety of paraffin wax can be guaranteed. With the continuous growth of market demand and technological progress, the paraffin industry will usher in a broader space for development. In the development of environmental protection and safety issues can not be ignored, enterprises should take active measures to promote the sustainable development of the paraffin industry.