Paraffin is the main component of oil and natural gas
Paraffin wax comes in two forms: liquid and solid, and is widely used in industry in the UK. Read our guide to gain a deeper understanding of this multifunctional fuel.
Overview of paraffin wax
Paraffin wax comes in two forms: liquid and solid, and is widely used in industry in the UK. It has a wide range of uses, including heating oil, beauty products, candles, and medicine.
When searching for heating oil, you may have encountered the words paraffin oil or kerosene; Both of these oils refer to the same oil used for heating non grid homes and industrial buildings. Due to its many uses, it may be a bit confusing, so we have compiled a guide to gain a deeper understanding of this adaptable fuel.
What is paraffin?
Paraffin, also known as liquid paraffin, paraffin oil, or kerosene, is a flammable hydrocarbon liquid that can be burned as a fuel. Paraffin fuel refers to a mixture of different types of hydrocarbons with the chemical formula CnH2n+2; Specifically, paraffin is a group of alkanes.
Paraffin is the main component of oil and natural gas. Molecules with less than 5 carbon atoms in each molecule are often gases at room temperature, while molecules with carbon atoms between 5 and 15 are usually liquid. Straight chain varieties containing over 15 carbon atoms per molecule are solid at room temperature.
Paraffin is less harmful than gasoline and boils at 150-275 ℃. It can be extracted from coal, wood and Oil shale, but it is mainly obtained from petroleum distillation.
When it was first discovered, the cost of producing paraffin wax was high, but after discovering new sources and cheaper refining methods, the price decreased.
What is paraffin used for?
Paraffin wax has various practical applications in industries such as medicine, agriculture, and cosmetics. Although the first use of paraffin can be traced back to the 19th century as a candle wax, this oil has been used in many other forms. Paraffin wax is commonly used as fuel for jet engines and rockets, as well as fuel or fuel components for diesel and tractor engines.
Common uses of paraffin include:
Paraffin: a white or colorless soft solid used as a lubricant, candle, crayon, electrical insulating material, and Vaseline
Liquid paraffin (medicine): A highly refined mineral oil used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals
Alkane: A saturated hydrocarbon used as a chemical solvent and plastic
Kerosene: a type of fuel, also known as paraffin
Mineral oil: Any of various colorless, odorless, C15- C40 alkane light mixtures derived from non plant (mineral) sources, especially petroleum fractions
Vaseline (soft paraffin)
Tractor vaporized oil: fuel for gasoline paraffin engines
Paraffin fuel: used for Prama or paraffin furnaces, for households in rural areas of South Africa
Liquid paraffin is a mineral oil that comes in two forms: heavy liquid paraffin oil and light liquid paraffin oil. The terms kerosene and paraffin overlap when paraffin is used as a liquid fuel. Paraffin is a waxy solid, and liquid paraffin is more viscous, highly refined, and can be used as a laxative.
