Dialkyl Disulfide Solvents of Asphalt-Resin-Wax Deposits

The structural group composition of samples of asphalt-resin-wax deposits (ARWD) has been studied. These samples were found to be of the wax-rich type. The effectiveness of disulfide oil as an ARWD solvent was studied. Pure disulfide oil was found ineffective for removing the most difficult to degrade wax-rich deposits. The addition of 0.1-0.5 wt. % nonionogenic surfactants and more than 40 wt.% aromatic hydrocarbons (liquid pyrolysis products, Bentol) markedly enhances the effectiveness of disulfide oil (up to 80-90 wt. % at 20-50°C), which justifies its commercial use as an ARWD solvent.