Both asphalt and wax are produced by __________ base crude oils.

ANS:D - mixed

Both asphalt and wax are primarily produced by paraffinic base crude oils. Here’s why:

• Asphalt: Asphalt, also known as bitumen, is a sticky, black, and highly viscous liquid or semi-solid form of petroleum. It is typically found in heavier crude oils, particularly those with higher proportions of large paraffin molecules.
• Wax: Waxes are a class of organic compounds that are solid at room temperature and melt at higher temperatures. They are primarily composed of long-chain saturated hydrocarbons, mainly paraffins.
• Paraffinic Base Crude Oils: Paraffinic crude oils are characterized by a higher proportion of straight-chain and branched-chain saturated hydrocarbons (paraffins). These hydrocarbons are more likely to form solids such as wax and asphalt when the crude oil is processed or when they are separated from the oil through refining processes.
• Naphthenic and Mixed Base Crude Oils: While naphthenic and mixed base crude oils may also contain asphalt and wax components, paraffinic base crude oils are more associated with higher yields of these substances due to their higher paraffin content.