Solvent dewaxing equipment

Introduction to Solvent Dewaxing Equipment

Solvent dewaxing equipment is a process utilized to treat base oil or other raw materials by diluting and cooling them through special solvents. This procedure causes the wax within these materials to crystallize and precipitate, effectively lowering the freezing point of the lubricating oil.

Historical Context and Challenges

Traditionally, oil and wax separation was attempted through distillation. However, due to the similar electricity consumption of wax and lubricating oil, the distillation method failed to achieve desired results. The freezing point of wax being higher than that of lubricating oil offers a solution: gradually lowering the temperature of the base oil to separate the wax from the lubricating oil. One challenge with this method is the high viscosity of the lubricating oil and the small size of precipitated wax crystals, making separation difficult. To overcome this, a special solvent is used.

The Role of Special Solvents

The ideal solvent for this process must effectively dissolve and dilute the lubricating oil while being incompatible with the wax, or vice versa. Benzene chemical solvents, for instance, dissolve lubricants well but have minimal solubility in waxes. On the other hand, ketone chemical solvents are widely used in industrial production.

Modern Developments in Solvent Dewaxing Technologies

Today's lubricating oil solvent dewaxing technologies are diverse and may differ greatly in form, but their basic processes and principles remain largely unchanged from the traditional method. The significant distinction among various solvent dewaxing technologies lies in the solvent selection, advancements in crystallization equipment, improved filtration systems, and solvent recovery processes. However, the fundamental process of "crystallization, dissolution, filtration, extraction" remains consistent.

Catalyst Usage for Enhanced Dewaxing Efficiency

The use of catalysts, such as ammonia, to improve dewaxing efficiency is a significant area of focus in this field. As an established dewaxing technology in the lubricating oil industry, solvent dewaxing has undergone numerous improvements and innovations. Enhancements in equipment efficiency, exploration of solvent and catalyst usage, and overall technological advancements have significantly improved its effectiveness compared to past iterations.