Paraffin Wax analyses

I think a lot of people would!

The best source is the ASTM volumes on Petroleum analysis. I beleive there is a suggested method for high carbon number analysis by GC. THe 'column' is a special and costly one if I remember correctly

Stupid question, perhaps, but doesn't C60 get into the realm of Buckie-balls?

Yes - in the case of a molecule that tended to form a near-spherical shape. Paraffins, by their very nature, are long-chain molecules. Polyethylene is chemically a very similar material to paraffin wax, and can be considered a wax pushed to the extreme.

And there is no such thing as a stupid question, apart from the one that isn't asked.

OK, then here's another one: From what I read on Wikipedia, paraffin wax has a really large number of carbon and hydrogen atoms. This would lead me to assume that it would make a very powerful fuel. So why is it that about the only thing that uses it for fuel are candles?

The wax is the heavy fraction of the product used as fuel and it can be cracked to produce fuel and this is commercially done already.