A simple method for oil content determination of petroleum waxes by refractive index measurement

Abstract

The oil content of petroleum wax is an important parameter for evaluating the quality of petroleum waxes. In order to characterize petroleum waxes, the relation between the oil content of waxes and their refractive index is investigated. Sixteen groups of waxes with different amounts of oil content are separated from a special raffinate using crystallization technique with MEK and toluene solvents. A direct measurement of the wax refractive index replaces the oil content evaluation method of petroleum wax. Refractive index is readily measured and is a good indicator of the oil content of petroleum waxes. The results show a linear relation between the oil content of the studied waxes and their refractive indexes. © 2014 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.