With the emergence of companies like Tesla, Solar City, and Rivian, the media sometimes pitches oil based power and electric power against each other. However, even in the emerging industry of electric cars (even Ford has announced putting several billion dollars into electric trucks over the next several years), oil remains one of the top energy sources in the world — and with good reason. However, manufacturers of oil aren’t all just in the gas and automotive industry. While motor oils and chevron base oil are definitely a large market, there is also a huge segment for mineral oil.
Even with the growing popularity of electric cars, things like white mineral oil and plant base oil are here to stay.
What is a Base Oil Plant?
A base oil plant is a manufacturing facility that produces base oil from crude oils. The manufacturing process uses base oils to make products such as motor oil and lubricating greases. What sets plant base oil apart is the liquid viscosity and various temperatures. Base oil is a means of refining crude oil via distillates and other techniques.
There is a vast number of crude oils from around the world used to create base oils. Paraffinic crude oil and naphthenic are two of the most common. Once crude oil is refined, it can produce many different types of usable oil. After going through a base oil plant, crude oil can even produce white mineral oil.
What is White Mineral Oil?
White mineral oil is a subset of the mineral oil family. It is distillate of petroleum that has a wide variety of applications. The name mineral oil may cause a bit of confusion as people tend to think of things like iron or magnesium when it comes to minerals. Common synonyms are paraffin oil, liquid paraffin, and white mineral oil.
Benefits and Uses of White Mineral Oil
As refined oil from a base oil plant, white mineral oil has a variety of uses and benefits. In a wide variety of applications, this oil can be used for a lubricant on bike chains, to a rust protection agent, and even a home cleaner. In addition, here are some key benefits of white mineral oil:
- Cleans and Refines Skin: Conditions like psoriasis, eczema and other inflammatory skin issues can be hard to deal with. White mineral oil has natural moisturizing and emollient that can help nourish the skin and promote faster healing. In a study done in 2012, it was shown that mineral oil was preferable for most skin types, including infants.
- Prevents Dry Skin: In addition to help clear up skin, this can also help prevent dry skin which can help you avoid inflammation and infection.
- Stool Lubricator: As odd as that might sound, white mineral oils can help reduce constipation by lubricating the digestive tract and stimulating peristaltic motion. This helps induce bowel movements and can relieve constipation.
- Makeup Remover:Because white mineral oil is high in alkanes, it is very effective at removing other oils, such as makeup oils. When gently applied to the face, mineral oil can work as a makeup remover. A word of caution though: be careful to not get oil in the eyes, nose, or ears as it may cause irritation.
- Promotes Hair Health: Mineral oil can help dissipate frizzy and dry hair, as well as reduce split ends. However, only a small application is needed. Applying too much mineral oil can have negative side effects to hair care. Additionally, because it can moisturize the scalp, mineral oil helps eliminate dry skin that causes dandruff. Massage a small amount of oil into your hair, with a focus on the roots and scalp, to help reduce dandruff. It can even be mixed with essential oils for a great smell and even more pronounced results.
White mineral oil is even used in baby oils, which typically just add some sort of scent to the oil before selling it. Whatever your interest in getting oil from a base oil plant, white mineral oil is a great market. With such a large diversity of applications, white mineral oil can be marketed in household cleaners, bike lubricants, hair care and skin care products, and a number of other industries.
