Catalytic Oxidation Of Petroleum Waxy Distillates

Abstract

The catalytic oxidation of petroleum waxy distillate (boiling range 400 - 440°C at 760 nun Hg) using KMn04 catalyst and air was studied in a batch reactor. The effect of reaction temperature (100-160°C), air flow rate (0.5-1.5 L/min per 100 g wax) and catalyst weight (0.4-0.6 % by wt. of wax) on the acid number of the reaction mixture was studied. Monobasic acids with an average number of carbon atoms/molecule of C^.C^ could be obtained. The surface active properties of the soap solutions made from the obtained fatty acids (after separation from the reaction mixture, followed by purification) confirm that this soap can be successfully used as household soap. This will help to reduce the consumption of edible oils for soap making.