Process for distilling fischer-tropsch derived paraffinic hydrocarbons

A process for distilling paraffinic hydrocarbons to obtain usable wax products comprising the steps of:

• feeding a Fischer-Tropsch derived paraffinic hydrocarbon feedstock comprising heavy paraffinic hydrocarbons and, optionally, light paraffinic hydrocarbons, medium paraffinic hydrocarbons or a mixture thereof, into a vacuum distillation column;
• withdrawing from the distillation column an overhead stream, a bottom stream comprising wax products, and at least one side stream comprising wax products;
• operating the distillation column so that there is substantially no thermal degradation of the feedstock or of the wax products, with the wax products of the bottom stream and of the at least one side stream thus being usable wax products;
• and
• obtaining usable wax product from said bottom stream and/or said at least one side stream.