ASSESSMENT OF THE MATERIAL COMPOSITION USED IN CANDLE PROCESSING AND PRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION: Candles are derived from the Latin word "candera," which roughly translates to "to shine." Candles were the only source of artificial light prior to the development of electricity. The original candles were made of tallow, followed by beeswax and whale oil until paraffin, soy, and other vegetable-based waxes became popular in recent years. The candle is defined poetically in the 1738 Universal Lexicon as "a wick of threads coated with tallow or wax which, when lit, gives a dazzling glow which lightens a dark room (Knight,Levin & Mendenhall 2015). Candles are a source of light with one or more wicks in the centre surrounded by a solid fuel. Both definitions distinguish candle from oil lamps, oil, or other flammable liquid in containers.

The burning of the wick is a critical function when it is at room temperature of 250C, in which solidification is ensured, and is employed mostly with waxes. A candle is sometimes referred to as a live light, and its flame is actually an open fire. 2004 (European Candle Makers Association).

Candles are employed as a light source and for their aesthetic appeal, both in terms of the sort of light they emit and their look as products. (Pictograms for Candles 2021).

Even though light bulbs have mostly supplanted candles as a source of illumination, the candle business is far from dead. Candles are still utilised in almost every major religion for a variety of rituals and special occasions. They may also be found on birthday cakes and are frequently utilised as house décor and to give a romantic atmosphere to dating evenings. Candles come in almost every colour, shape, size, and smell conceivable. Candle making is a popular skill in summer camps and art schools, but it is also possible to make candles at home with a few simple tools. Buyers can go the simple route and buy candles and candle making supplies online, or they can pick up supplies at most craft and hobby stores and many cheap department stores. According to Eggert, Bodker & Hanson (2016) candles were the sole means for thousands of years before the discovery of electricity for people to illuminate their houses and other locations when the sun went set. To produce the earliest candles, the Egyptians and Romans utilized tallow, a byproduct of rendered animal fat. Tallow was melted in a container put over an open flame. It was then poured over a crude wick, usually made of cotton, flax, or hemp. The early candles were used for religious purposes as well as to illuminate households. Candle manufacture progressed substantially in the Middle Ages, when candles were created from beeswax, but beeswax was scarce, making candles costly. Traditionally, beeswax candles were reserved for religious brotherhood and the rich.

​​​​​​​PURPOSE OF STUDY

The aim of this research work is to produce high quality candles that can be used at home by family members and to be sold to the public for sales and use purpose. The candle produce should have no unpleasant smell and smoke when used; instead it should have a pleasant odour and scent, clear and smokeless flames when lit, with suiting fragrance effect easily noticed in the surrounding air by inhaling with health benefits.

Candles are produced under laboratory condition and independently in large scale with the masses of the materials adequately ascertained.   

​​​​​​​STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEMS

The following statements of problems are hereby formulated to assist in this research work of candle production.

1. What raw materials require to produce high quality, very highly quality candles.
2. What are the procedures to follow in producing the candle?
3. How can the candle produced be tested?
4. How duration is the candle
5. What are the general requirements for candle making.  

HYPOTHESIS

1. Inappropriate requirements for the production of candle is problems
2. Lack of adequate raw materials is a major problem in the process of manufacturing of candles.
3. Lack of students interest by not following the manufacturers instruction, knowledge and adequate skills, which is a problem in the production of candle.
4. Inappropriate measures and chemical needed is a problem for candle making.
5. The presence of unpleasant smell and soothing flames in the manufacturing process and when list which has an effect on the surrounding air by inhaling affects the health of people is the biggest problems.

SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

This research work is significant for the following reasons because it will provide useful source of information to the teachers, students, parents, community and education officers on how to improve on the procedures of the production of candles.

Despite that, this study is also significant because it will help to throw some light on the accurate measurement involved in order to avoid little or major problems in the production of candles and finding solution to them.   

​​​​​​​SCOPE OF STUDY

This study is designed to describe the material composition in the processing of candle production and a process of making candle composition have non hydrogenated oil and also to know the effect of a burning candle if it is harmful or harmless to the environment.

​​​​​​​LIMITATION OF STUDY

This includes the impediment encounter in the cost of doing this work. Considering the economic problem as regards to the transportation, high cost of writing materials, experimental procedure (scientifically, technically and industrial process) and printing materials. The study has been limited to seven secondary schools in Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.   

​​​​​​​DEFINITION OF TERMS

Paraffin wax: A wax-like substance obtained form petroleum, use especially for making candles.

Beeswax: A yellowish wax made by bees for building honeycombs, also used for making wood polish and candles.

Laboratory: A room or building in which scientific experiments are carried out.

Experiment: Is to work with instruments and apparatus in a practical investigation, on the behaviour and nature of substances.

Wick: Length of thread in the centre of a candle, the top end of which is lit and burns as the wax melts.

Stearic Acid: This is a colourless, odourless waxy crystalline fatty acid, usually sourced from animal tallow and vegetable oils. Used in the manufacture of candles, cosmetics, soaps, lubricants, medicines.

Dyes:  Where candles are being sold as decorative items rather than as a source of light, colour can be used to increase the attractiveness of the product.

Fragrance: These are liquids that are added to the melted wax during production of candle and can be used to increase the attractiveness of the product.