Determination of average carbon number of petroleum waxes by X-ray diffraction

Abstract

Eight petroleum waxes, both paraffin as well as microcrystalline, have been analysed by X-ray diffraction. The average carbon number has been estimated by the long-range ordering observed in the diffractograms of these waxes. The average carbon number has also been determined following the standard gas chromatographic (GC) method. The results obtained by X-ray diffractometry compare well with those obtained by the GC method. The former method also permits determination of the average carbon number of high melting point waxes, which is otherwise difficult using GC.