Production method of shellac wax

 Shellac wax is a natural wax extracted from shellac, which has many uses, such as making shoe polish, car wax, floor wax, etc.

Raw Material Preparation

The primary raw material for lac wax is derived from lac, a resinous substance secreted by insects (such as the lac bug) that parasitize certain plants. This substance, after collection, processing, and treatment, becomes the raw material for lac wax production.

Extraction Methods

1. Solvent Method:
   • During the production of lac sheets using the solvent method, the lac alcohol solution is subjected to freezing treatment to precipitate and separate the lac wax from the solution. This method leverages the property of lac wax having reduced solubility at low temperatures.
2. Soda Ash Method:
   • In the process of producing bleached lac, the property of lac wax being insoluble in soda ash solution is utilized. By adding soda ash solution and heating with stirring, the lac wax is separated from impurities. Subsequent steps such as filtration, washing, and drying yield purified lac wax.
3. Recovery from Lac Washing Wastewater:
   • Another method involves recovering lac wax from lac-washing wastewater. Initially, sulfuric acid is used to treat the wastewater, causing the lac wax to precipitate. Then, an organic solvent (such as n-hexane) is used to extract the precipitated lac wax from the wastewater. This method not only reduces environmental pollution but also effectively utilizes resources.

Refining Process

The extracted lac wax typically undergoes further refining to enhance its purity and quality. The refining process may include the following steps:

1. Decolorization:
   • The extracted lac wax is added to an organic solvent (such as n-hexane or petroleum ether), and a decolorizing agent (such as activated carbon) is added for decolorization. The decolorized lac wax has a purer color, enhancing its application value.
2. Filtration:
   • The decolorized lac wax solution is filtered through filtration equipment to remove impurities and particles, ensuring product purity.
3. Molding and Cooling:
   • The refined lac wax solution is heated to an appropriate temperature and poured into custom molds. After cooling and solidifying, well-formed lac wax products are obtained.
4. Packaging and Storage:
   • Finally, the lac wax products are packaged and stored in a dry, cool, and well-ventilated place to avoid moisture and deterioration.

Precautions

1. Throughout the production process, parameters such as temperature, time, and solvent type need to be strictly controlled to ensure product quality and safety.
2. Waste generated during extraction and refining processes should be properly disposed of to avoid environmental pollution.
3. Lac wax has a wide range of applications, but different uses have different quality requirements for lac wax. Therefore, adjustments and optimizations are needed during the production process based on specific needs.

In summary, the production method of lac wax encompasses raw material preparation, extraction methods, refining processes, and precautions. By adopting reasonable process design and strict operational specifications, high-quality, high-value-added lac wax products can be produced.