Course:SPPH381B/TermProject/Ye-Von Lee-Candle
History of the Candle
Candles have been serving humankind for over 5,000 years [1].The earliest forms of candles were created and used by Egyptians and Ancient Romans in 3,000 B.C. as their main source of light and heat [1]. Then during the Middle Ages, candles were introduced to Western cultures, who began to make candles out of beeswax rather than animal tallows [1]. However, at this time, candles were rare and expensive so they were only lit for special occasions such as religious ceremonies or celebrations [1]. Furthermore, unlike the previous tallow candles, the newly discovered beeswax candles were aromatic [1]. As a result, candles began to serve functions beyond mere heat and light. Wealthy households used candles as forms of decor and fragrance. In the 19th century, a French inventor by the name of Joseph Morgan invented a candle molding machine during the Industrial Revolution which initiated the start of the candle-making industry [1]. Soon after, candles became affordable and accessible to all people, making them a household necessity until the modern day. Candles have evolved in the way they are made and used throughout the years, serving many different functions to humans beyond survival needs.
Life Cycle
Resource Extraction
A basic, non-scented and non-dyed candle contains paraffin, stearic acid, beeswax for the wax base and cotton, inorganic salt solutions and paraffin for the wick [2]. Raw materials must first be extracted from their natural resources. Paraffin is formed from the process of crystallization; which is when the oil is removed from the slack wax that is heated and mixed with one or more solvents such as a ketone and cooled [3]. As the solution cools, the wax crystallizes and separates itself from the solution [3]. Stearic acid is extracted from fats and oils through the process of saponification of the triglycerides [4]. In order for the stearic acid to be successfully extracted, saponsification must occur when the water is heated above 200°C [4]. Then the mixture is distilled [4]. Beeswax is obtained by beekeepers who extract the honey from honeycombs with knives or machines [5]. The extracted honey is then boiled in water for purification [5]. Cotton is extracted from cotton trees and spun into yarn [6].
Primary Manufacturing
The cotton yarn, extracted and spun from cotton trees is braided to form the wick [7]. The wick is then placed into an inorganic salt solution to ensure that when it burns it bends at a 90 degree angle [7]. Then, the wick is repeatedly dipped into molten paraffin to form layers that will stiffen the wick [7]. Wax base is heated in large metal kettles until they reach a clear, near-liquid state consistency [7]. Then the molten wax is filtered to eliminate solids and other particles [7].
Secondary Manufacturing
Molding the candle is the final step in manufacturing a candle. Candles are made by molding machines which continuously produce candles in bulks ranging from 50-500 candles per round [8]. Before the wax is poured into the molding machine, the previously made wick is inserted from the bottom of the mold [8]. The molds are made out of tin so that they can be easily cooled and heated with the wax [8]. Wax that is cooled slightly above melting point is poured into the heated molds [8]. Then, the molds enter a cold bath to quickly solidify the candles [8]. Moreover, the tin molds are tapered so that the fully finished candles can slip out easily without breakage [8]. Once the waxes have fully hardened, the candles are pulled out and the wicks are snipped so that the process can restart [8].
Transportation
Transportation includes boxing, loading, delivering and unloading the candles. Once, candles are packaged they are loaded onto trucks that deliver to the client directly or a secondary transportation base. Candles can be shipped by road, rail and ship to their destinations. Loading and unloading candles is one major task in the process of transportation. Since candles are heavy in bulk, they must be done with caution and support.
Support Infrastructure
Support Infrastructure of candle production includes factory machinery, road building, railroad building and energy resources. The most important support infrastructure is the machinery needed in making candles. For example, the candle molding machine is the primary component needed in producing mass amounts of candles. As a result, it is important that the machine is functioning effectively, so that candles can be successfully produced and the production can be maintained steadily.
Disposal
Candles do not have impactful negative effects to the landfill. Since, most candles are thrown away after they have been burned, not much product is left. Additionally, beeswax and the main components of the wax base are natural elements that biodegrade. However, since candles are flammable, they can potential start a landfill fire.
Process Details of Important Steps in Production
1. Cotton Drawing and Braiding (Resource Extraction)
2. Making the Wick (Primary Manufacture)
3. Molding the Candle (Secondary Manufacture)
4. Candles Shipped by Road (Transportation)
5. Factory Machinery (Support Infrastructure)
6. Landfill Management (Disposal)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 http://candles.org/history/
- ↑ Constable, David. Candlemaking. Schwartz, Arthur & Co., Inc., 1993.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 http://www.sulzer.com/hi//media/Documents/Cross_Division/STR/2014/STR_2014_1_12_15_Stepanski.pdf
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 http://amrita.olabs.edu.in/?sub=73&brch=3&sim=119&cnt=1
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 https://dspace.library.colostate.edu/bitstream/handle/10217/4458/COAB_21696437.pdf;jsessionid=qp9keb1cnc1cpkfiflsbodij?sequence=1
- ↑ http://www.madehow.com/Volume-6/Cotton.html.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Millington, Deborah. Tradition Candle-making: Simple Methods of Manufacture. Intermediate Technology Development Group of North America, 1992
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 Taylor, Richard. Beeswax Molding & Candle Making. Linden Books, 1985
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