Crossword Dictionary
Paraffin Oil
Paraffin oil or liquid paraffin oil is obtained in the process of crude oil distillation. It is a colorless and odorless oil that is used for varied purposes. In some cases, paraffin oil and mineral oil are synonymous terms. In other cases, there are subtle, often undetectable differences in composition and properties that can only be determined by careful and detailed analysis of the two.
Paraffin wax is acquired from petroleum by dewaxing light lubricating oil stocks. It was first produced in 1830 by Carl Reichenbach in Germany and commemorated a key advancement in candle making technology, as its burn was cleaner, more consistent than tallow candles and was cheaper to produce.
Initially, paraffin wax had a low melting point, however, the addition of stearic acid later solved this. Paraffin wax production was thriving in the early 20th century from a rise in meatpacking and oil industries which generated paraffin and stearic acid as by-products.
Paraffin has a variety of practical uses in industries that range from medicine and agriculture to cosmetics. Paraffin is commonly used as a fuel for jet engines and rockets, as well as a fuel or fuel component for diesel and tractor engines.
Common paraffin uses include:
- Paraffin wax: a white or colorless soft solid used as a lubricant, candles, crayons, electrical insulation and petroleum jelly
- Liquid paraffin (drug): a very highly refined mineral oil used in cosmetics and medicines
- Alkane: a saturated hydrocarbon used as a chemical solvent and in plastics
- Kerosene: a fuel also known as paraffin
- Mineral oil: any of various colorless, odorless, light mixtures of alkanes in the C15 – C40 range from non-vegetable (mineral) source, particularly a distillate of petroleum
- Petroleum jelly (soft paraffin)
- Tractor vaporizing oil: a fuel for petrol-paraffin engines
Liquid paraffin is a mineral oil that comes in two forms: heavy liquid paraffin oil or light liquid paraffin oil. The terms kerosene and paraffin overlap where the latter is used as a liquid fuel. Whereas paraffin wax is a waxy solid, liquid paraffin is more viscous and highly refined and can be used as a laxative.