TECHNOLOGIES FOR SUGAR CANE WAX USE

Abstract

Introduction:
Sugarcane has been used as a supplier source for wax. In wax plants, a crude wax is extracted starting from the filter cake that is subsequently subjected to a physical treatment to obtain three fractions: refined wax, fat fraction and a residual (resin). chemical processing of different waxes has been studied due to the interest of the products obtained from it, divided into two groups, saponifiable and unsaponifiable. The proposals for its processing are fundamentally based on two reactions: transesterification and saponification.
Objective:
To establish the processes for obtaining products with potential uses from sugar cane wax chemical treatment.
Materials and Methods:
Procedures are carried out to obtain two fractions, by cane wax saponification and transesterification. The products of interest were identified and the tests to which they were subjected are described.
Results and Discussion:
It is shown that by transesterification an ethyl ester can be obtained with uses as a biofuel. From saponifiable fraction an emulsion used in bagasse boards is made. In both processes, the unsaponifiable fraction can be used as a stimulant of crop growth.
Conclusions:
A comprehensive proposal is obtained for the use of wax that constitutes a contribution to the sugarcane derivatives industry, since it refers to a different point of view of approaching the treatment of this product