Partial Liquid Phase Oxidation of Microcrystalline Waxes to Produce Emulsifiable Waxes

Partially oxidized hard microcrystalline waxes commonly known as emulsifiable waxes have numerous industrial applications. These are also used as substitutes or extenders for vegetable waxes. Oxidation of microcrystalline waxes obtained from Bombay high crude oil tank sludges have been carried out to study the feasibility of producing emulsifiable waxes under different conditions of catalyst, temperature, reaction time, etc. The study has shown that the microcrystalline waxes derived from Bombay high crude oil tank sludge can be suitably modified to produce emulsifiable waxes.