Corn Wax Oxidation via Chromosulfuric Acid for Phase Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing processes for oxidizing natural waxes with chromic acid result in high acid values, making phase separation difficult at low acid values, leading to inefficient isolation and purification of wax oxidates, and require excessive chromosulfuric acid and solvents, which are economically and environmentally unfavorable.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the chromosulfuric acid oxidation of corn wax, which allows for efficient phase separation and purification at low acid values, reducing the need for additional steps to adjust acid values and minimize waste, by using a mixture of chromium trioxide and sulfuric acid to produce light-colored corn wax oxidates with a wide range of acid values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If chromic acid oxidation is used to oxidize natural waxes, then the wax color is lightened, but the acid value increases and phase separation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the oxidation system by using chromosulfuric acid instead of conventional chromic acid, and by controlling the oxidation to produce wax oxidates with specific acid values (10-170 mg KOH/g). This parameter change enables both color lightening and efficient phase separation, as the modified oxidation process produces products that maintain sufficient acidity for phase separation while achieving the desired color improvement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance - corn wax - that serves as a mediator between the oxidation process and the desired outcome. Corn wax oxidates act as intermediaries that can be isolated through phase separation and then further processed through esterification to achieve the final low acid value product. This intermediary approach allows the oxidation to proceed to sufficient extent for color lightening while maintaining isolability.
2Ease of operation
If high acid values are achieved to facilitate phase separation, then isolation is improved, but chromium salt waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the acid value parameter to a specific range (10-170 mg KOH/g) that balances two competing requirements: sufficient acidity for efficient phase separation and limited acidity to minimize chromium salt waste. This precise parameter control allows the process to achieve good isolation efficiency without requiring excessively high acid values that would generate large amounts of waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a recovery approach by isolating the corn wax oxidates through phase separation and then further processing them through esterification. This allows the valuable wax oxidate product to be recovered and transformed into a low acid value final product, while the chromium salts in the aqueous phase can be managed and minimized through controlled oxidation conditions.
3Manufacturing precision
If additional steps are added to lower acid value after oxidation, then product quality is improved, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the overall process into distinct functional stages: (1) oxidation of corn wax to produce wax oxidates with controlled acid values (10-170 mg KOH/g), (2) isolation through phase separation, and (3) optional esterification to achieve final low acid value product. This segmentation allows each step to be optimized independently, with the oxidation step producing isolable products and the esterification step providing final acid value adjustment only when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary oxidation to a controlled extent that produces wax oxidates with acid values in the range of 10-170 mg KOH/g, which are sufficient for phase separation. This preliminary action creates isolable intermediaries that can then be further processed through esterification if lower acid values are required for specific applications, avoiding the need to over-oxidize from the start.
4Quantity of substance
If corn wax with high oil content is used, then raw material utilization is improved, but phase separation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the oxidation process to produce wax oxidates with specific acid values (10-170 mg KOH/g) that promote phase separation. By controlling the oxidation degree and using chromosulfuric acid, the process creates sufficient acidity in the wax oxidate to enable clear phase separation even when starting with high oil content corn wax, thus maintaining raw material utilization without compromising isolability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The process enables clear phase boundary formation and efficient isolation of corn wax oxidates at low acid values, even with high oil content, reducing waste and operational complexity, and produces products with consistent quality and improved color indices.
Implementation Method 1
The oxidation of fossil and nonfossil natural waxes with chromosulfuric acid has been known since the early 20th century... oxidation of natural waxes with chromic acid results in cleavage of the wax esters and in-situ oxidation of the resulting wax alcohols to wax acids
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to bright corn wax oxidates, to a process for their production and to their use for agricultural or forestry purposes, as an additive in plastic processing, in care products, in printing inks and/or in paints, and to saponified or estered corn wax oxidates produced by saponifying or estering the described corn wax oxidates.