CRYSTALLIZATION OF N-OCTACOSANE BY THE RAPID EXPANSION OF SUPERCRITICAL SOLUTIONS

Crystals of a model wax (n-octacosane) were produced by the rapid expa nsion of supercritical solutions (RESS) containing n-octacosane and ca rbon dioxide. Pre-expansion temperatures and pressures were varied to study their effects on crystal morphology. Four distinct types of part icles were observed, including regular hexagonal crystals and irregula r fused particles. Particle size decreased and the particle size distr ibution narrowed with an increase in pre-expansion temperature. On the other hand, changes in pre-expansion pressure showed no significant i nfluence on particle size.