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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Solvent fractionation of wax-containing mixtures

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5157965

A method is described of separating a wax-containing mixture into fractions of higher and lower melting point, which comprises counter-currently contacting the wax-containing mixture in an extraction zone with an extraction solvent and solvent additives at a temperature such that two immiscible liquid phases are formed, one comprising the higher melting wax fraction containing solvent and additives, and the other comprising solvent and additives and the lower melting wax fraction. The phases are separated and the solvent and additives are removed from each. The solvent is introduced into the extraction zone near the point of withdrawal of the higher melting wax fraction. The first additive is introduced adjacent the point of introduction of the wax-containing mixture, and the second additive is introduced between the point of introduction of the first additive and the point of withdrawal of the lower melting wax fraction. The solvent comprises 1.6 to 2.4 volumes of nitrobenzene per volume of wax-containing mixture. The first additive comprises 0.05 to 0.15 volume of ethylene glycol mono-methyl ether per volume of wax-containing mixture, and the second additive comprises 0.05 to 0.15 volume of ethylene glycol mono-methyl ether per volume of wax-containing mixture.

Assignee:
Atlantic Refining Co.
Patent Number(s):
US 2604431
OSTI ID:
5157965
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English