Liquid and solid paraffin market in Asia

Paraffin comes in both liquid and solid form and is used throughout the UK in a wide range of industries. Paraffin comes in both liquid and solid form and is used throughout the UK in a wide range of industries. When looking for heating oil, you may have come across the terms paraffin or kerosene; both refer to the same oil that’s used to heat off-the-grid homes and industrial buildings. Paraffin, also known as liquid paraffin, paraffin oil or kerosene, is a combustible hydrocarbon liquid that’s burned as a fuel. Paraffin fuel refers to a mixture of different types of hydrocarbons with the chemical formula CnH2n+2; specifically paraffins are a group of alkanes. Paraffins are key components of petroleum and natural gas. Paraffin is less hazardous than gasoline and boils at 150-275oC. It can be extracted from coal, wood and oil shale, but is mostly acquired from the distillation of petroleum. When first discovered, the cost of producing paraffin was high, but prices fell when new sources and cheaper methods of refining were later uncovered. Paraffin has a variety of practical uses in industries that range from medicine and agriculture to cosmetics. While the very first usage of paraffin dates back to the 19th century as paraffin wax in candles, the oil has since found use in many other forms. 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. Liquid paraffin is a mineral oil that comes in two forms: either 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. Paraffin wax is acquired from petroleum by dewaxing light lubricating oil stocks. 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 feedstock is slack wax, a combination of oil and wax and a by-product from the refining of lubricating oil. The paraffin wax is then supplied in either liquid or solid form. When used in cosmetics, paraffin wax is commonly applied to hands and feet. Paraffin has a low melting point, allowing it to melt into a liquid at a temperature that’s not too hot and is safe to touch. Paraffin is used in many beauty products as it’s cheap. Paraffin also has a long history of treating many physical conditions such as arthritis and increasing blood flow. If you’ve been researching heating oil, then you’ve probably come across the terms: paraffin and kerosene. This can depend on your location as the term kerosene is popular in America, Canada, New Zealand, Argentina, India and Australia, whereas paraffin is more common in the UK, Chile, Norway and South and East Africa. However, while both fuels have similarities, paraffin has a wider meaning and range of uses. Its main elements are saturated straight-chain and branch-chain paraffins, as well as cycloparaffins, hence why it’s often referred to as paraffin. In the UK, when talking about heating oil, kerosene is commonly referred to as paraffin so it’s most likely the same product. However, paraffin can sometimes refer to a more refined and distilled form of kerosene, allowing it to be used indoors such as in lamps and stoves. This form of paraffin often contains additives to reduce its odour. You can learn more about diesel fuel in our Fuels and Oils guide, which explains how paraffins and fuel oils like kerosene and diesel fuels are different. At Crown Oil, we are one of the UK’s leading paraffin suppliers. We deliver paraffin oil (kerosene) to a wide range of customers within 48 hours of order. To find out more or to simply place a paraffin order, call 0330 123 1444 or fill in the form.