Nermen H. Mohamed

Separation of Paraffin Wax Using Solvent Fractionation

Abstract In order to separate and characterize some grades of paraffin waxes from El-Ameria crude waxes (slack waxes), a one-stage fractional crystallization technique has been done to separate the paraffin waxes with different characteristics by using different solvents and solvent mixtures at ambient temperature of 20°C and fixed dilution and washing solvent ratios (S/F) of 4:1 and 2:1 by weight, respectively. The fractionating solvents used are n-hexane, methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), dioxane, ethyl acetate, and butyl acetate as a single solvent and a mixture of methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) containing benzene (B) and toluene (T) as a mixed solvent. The resulting data revealed that dioxane and n-hexane solvents are not suitable for fractional crystallization of slack waxes, and the most suitable solvents for separating paraffin waxes with the standard specifications are ethyl and butyl acetates, MIBK, and the mixture of MEK, B, and T (60:20:20 by weight, respectively).

Separation of Microcrystalline Waxes from Local Crude Petrolatums using Solvent–Antisolvent Mixtures

Abstract In order to separate and characterize the microcrystalline waxes from Suez and Alexandria crude petrolatums, multistage fractional crystallization technique has been used to fractionate Suez crude petrolatum by using n-hexane as a single solvent at different fractionating temperatures ranging from 20 to −20°C and at two different dilution and washing solvent ratios. Suez and Alexandria crude petrolatums were subjected also to multistage fractional crystallizations with solvent mixture at ambient temperature of 20°C and at fixed dilution and washing solvent ratios of 4:1 and 2:1 by weight, respectively. The solvent mixture composed of n-hexane as the main solvent and different percentages of absolute ethyl alcohol (ranging from 10 to 50 wt.%) as antisolvent. The solvent to feed ratios of dilution and washing were studied in the range of 2:1 to 8:1 and 2:1 to 6:1 by weight, respectively. Finally, one stage fractional crystallization has been done at the most suitable conditions to separate the microcrystalline waxes from Suez and Alexandria crude petrolatums followed by finishing via percolation in molten state through an activated bauxite column. The resulting finished microcrystalline waxes are evaluated according to the standard specifications of microcrystalline waxes, molecular type composition, degree of crystallinity, and scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Conversion of iron oxide nanosheets to advanced magnetic nanocomposites for oil spill removal

This study aims at developing magnetic materials through the combination of cobalt and iron oxide at the nanoscale for producing facile and environmentally friendly techniques to remove crude oil from water. A series of cobalt iron oxides with different molar ratios of Co/Fe were prepared and characterized using X-ray diffraction, thermal analyses and electron microscopy. X-ray diffraction results indicated that the prepared iron oxides have a hematite structure with a particle size of 100 nm. By adding cobalt, spinel structures of cobalt iron oxides were observed and their particle size sharply decreased to be 10 nm. TEM images confirmed that the prepared cobalt iron oxide nanocomposites have particle sizes of 5–10 nm. While, 100 nm nanosheets were observed for the prepared iron oxide. The surface texture of the prepared iron oxide nanosheets was also affected by the addition of cobalt and the formation of nanocomposites. Where, a low surface area (8.9 m2 g−1) was observed for the prepared iron oxides. By adding and increasing the percentage of cobalt, the surface area sharply increased to be 133 m2 g−1. The magnetization behavior of the prepared nanomaterials was investigated and showed that the ferromagnetic behavior of α-Fe2O3 is shifted to superparamagnetic behavior when doping iron oxide with cobalt. Due to the small nanosize, the high surface area and the superparamagnetic behavior, the prepared cobalt iron oxide nanocomposites were very effective in the removal of crude oil from water. It was concluded that the magnetic materials meet the special requirements to be useful in oil spill removal.

Preparation of Novel Toner Ink Materials Using Polymer-Wax Nanoparticles

In current toner materials, wax is mixed during toner preparation. This often results in nonuniform distribution of the wax and noncomplete phase separation. We attempt to overcome this problem by synthesis of novel toner particles wherein the wax is incorporated A core-shell structure of the toner particles is synthesized by microemulsion polymerization. The core is made up of a low Tg polymer (lauryl acrylate) entrapping macro- or micro-crystalline waxes, and the shell is made from a mixture of high Tg polymer (styrene) and adhesion enhancing ingredients (N-vinyl pyrrolidone). This design allows for an efficient use of ingredients and will prevent the phase-separation problems. The low Tg core and the high Tg shell will also improve flow ability as well as mechanical and chemical stability of particles. Transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic light scatter, and x-ray diffraction are used to characterize the prepared toner particles.

Characterization and Classification of Some Egyptian Petroleum Crude Waxes Using Different Techniques

Abstract In order to characterize and identify some crude waxes, derived from various Egyptian petroleum distillates and residues, suitable for production of different types of petroleum waxes, many standard test procedures have been used for measurement the physical characteristics of crude waxes and wax products. Moreover, some analytical techniques such as gas chromatography (GC), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (H-NMR), urea adducting analysis, and solid-liquid chromatography have been used to characterize the crude waxes. Finally, one stage fractional crystallization has been done to separate the hard waxes from El-Ameria and Suez heavy slack waxes and Alexandria and Suez crude petrolatums using ethyl acetate solvent at an ambient temperature of 20○C and at fixed dilution and washing solvent ratios of 7:1 and 6:1 by weight, respectively. The resulting wax products are evaluated according to TAPPI-ASTM equation and petroleum wax specifications.

Raising the efficiency of petrolatum deoiling process by using non-polar modifier concentrates separated from paraffin wastes to produce different petroleum products

Deoiling of crude petrolatum was enhanced by the addition of 1 wt% of non-polar modifier concentrates separated from slack wax waste and compared with pure n-alkane mixtures of (C20 + C22) and (C24 + C26). The data revealed that 1 wt% of the separated (C20 + C22) n-alkane mixture is the preferable modifier to improve the deoiling process of crude petrolatum. X-ray diffraction patterns and SEM photographs showed that the addition of 1 wt% of non-polar modifier concentrates gave hard waxes having some crystal growth and larger crystal sizes and possessing more holes than the hard waxes separated without using a modifier. Different petroleum products were produced using both of the products of the petrolatum deoiling process: the microcrystalline wax and the slop wax. Various grades of hardened ceresin were formulated by the addition of low density polyethylene to the separated microcrystalline wax. Fourteen formulated blends of petrolatum were prepared based on the microcrystalline wax and slop wax saturate with heavy and light paraffin oils, respectively. According to the standard specifications of the US Pharmacopoeia and National Formulary of petrolatum and Ultra Chemical Inc. of liquid petrolatum, the blend formulations (3–8) were classified as technical petrolatums. Two of these blends (7 & 8) were also classified as liquid petrolatums. The blend formulations (9–14) were classified as white pharmaceutical petrolatums. Meanwhile, three of these blends (12–14) were also within the limits of the standard specifications of ultrapure liquid petrolatums.