Process for the preparation of refined hard sugarcane wax having improved qualities from press mud

A process for the preparation of refined hard sugarcane wax having improved qualities from press mud which comprises:

• (a) digesting press mud with a non polar solvent such as carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), benzene (C6H6) or toluene (C7HB) in presence of activated charcoal, wherein the ratio of the non polar solvent to activated charcoal:
• press mud ranges from 3 liters to 1.50 liters:50 gm to 20 gm:1 kg to 500 gm (60 to 75:1:20 to 25):
• (b) separating the residue by known methods;
• (c) removing the solvent by conventional methods followed by treating the crude sugarcane wax obtained with hot isopropyl alcohol to get the wax in solution and pitch as residue;
• (d) separating the said wax in solution by known methods and cooling to room temperature so as to get the said wax precipitated;
• (e) washing thoroughly with water till the isopropyl alcohol is removed and drying to get the hard sugarcane wax;
• (d) if desired recycling the isopropyl alcohol (I.P.A.) to step (c) and then treating the said sugarcane wax with hot water for further refining.