Nile blend crude oil : wax separation using MEK-toluene mixtures

الملخص EN

This paper presents the operational conditions for wax production from Nile Blend; a Sudanese oil, characterized as sweet oil with a high level of wax content (25.87 wt %).

The method of solvent extraction was employed using a Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) Toluene mixture as a solvent.

The study covered a wide range of mixing temperatures (28 to 70oC) and residence time (5 to 30 minutes), solvent to oil ratio (16:1 to 32:1), and solvent compositions (50-100 % MEK).

The result showed that 92 % of the wax in the crude can be extracted with a mixture of 75v% MEK at a mixing temperature of 50oC, residence time of 20 minutes, and solvent to oil ratio of 20 : 1 at a filtration temperature of -17oC.

The wax produced is characterized by a slightly greasy feel and is soluble in Naphtha, Toluene, Xylene, Kerosene, Benzene, Ethyl Alcohol, Acetone, and Carbon Tetra Chloride.

The gas chorography analysis showed that the light products (C10-C16) constitute 6 % of the produced wax and C45 + is 10 %.