Paraffin oil

Origin

Paraffin, whatever the type, is obtained: 1) by distilling petroleum residue, bituminous shale or peat and output from low-temperature lignite carbonisation, or, 2) by means of a medium-pressure synthetic process involving the use of CO and H2, with catalysts (modified Fischer-Tropsch-synthesis). Paste (paraffin slack wax) precipitated during petroleum distillation is cooled, de-oiled and bleached to yield hard paraffin. In contrast, liquid paraffin is obtained by distillation. All types of paraffin, except the hard form, are colourless, clear, oily, non-fluorescent in daylight, entirely or virtually odourless, tasteless liquids. It is only when they are heated that they give off a faint smell. Paraffins are insoluble in water, poorly soluble in ethanol and soluble in ether and hydrocarbons.

In 1830, paraffin wax was discovered by the Württemberg natural scientist Karl von Reichenbach during a series of experiments to determine the components of wood tar.