Light hydrocarbon
Light hydrocarbons refer to organic compounds that consist of only carbon and hydrogen atoms and have a lower molecular weight and number of carbons than heavy hydrocarbons. This class of hydrocarbons includes compounds such as methane, ethane, propane, butane and other simpler alkanes, alkenes and aromatics.
Features and applications
Properties of light hydrocarbons
1. Low molecular weight: These compounds have a lower molecular weight than heavy hydrocarbons due to the lower number of carbon atoms.
2. Low boiling point: Light hydrocarbons usually boil at lower temperatures, and some of them, such as methane and ethane, are gaseous even at room temperature.
3. High volatility: due to low molecular weight and low boiling point, these compounds evaporate quickly and tend to be in the gas phase.
4. Insolubility in water: Like heavy hydrocarbons, light hydrocarbons are usually insoluble in water due to their non-polar nature.
Applications of light hydrocarbons
1. Fuels: light hydrocarbons such as methane and propane are used as fuel in domestic (such as city gas), industrial and commercial uses. Propane and butane are used as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to fuel cars, as well as in camping and home heating.
2. Energy production: Methane is used as natural gas in power plants to produce electricity. This gas is also used as the main fuel in supplying energy to homes and industries.
3. Raw materials of petrochemical industries: ethane, propane and butane are used as raw materials in the production of ethylene, propylene and other petrochemical compounds, which are then used to make plastics, chemicals and synthetic fibers.
4. Refrigerants: Some light hydrocarbons such as isobutane are used as refrigerants in refrigeration and air conditioning systems.
5. Desulfurization: Some light hydrocarbons are used in refinery processes to desulfurize fuels.
Light hydrocarbons are widely obtained from sources such as natural gas and crude oil and are widely used in various industries due to their physical and chemical properties.
Specification table of light hydrocarbons
| ROW | PROPERTY | UNIT | TEST METHOD | SPECIFICATION | TYPICAL VALUE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Density @ 15°C | g/cm3 | ASTM D1298 | 0.695 – 0.705 | 0.700 |
| 2 | Total Sulfur | ppm | ASTM D4294 | Max 500 | 250 |
| 3 | R.V.P @37.8 | psi | ASTM D323 | Max 9.0 | 8.2 |
| 4 | Benzene | Max 2.0 | 1.22 | ||
| 5 | Total Aromatics | Max 8.0 | 6.06 | ||
| 6 | N. Paraffins | Max 32.0 | 31.55 | ||
| 7 | I. Paraffins | Vol. % | ASTM D6729 | Max 43.0 | 40.77 |
| 8 | Olefins | Max 3.0 | 2.67 | ||
| 9 | Naphthene’s | Max 18.0 | 17.16 | ||
| 10 | Total Oxygenate | Max 1.5 | 1.20 | ||
| 11 | Color | – | ASTM D156 | Min 25 | > +30 |
| 12 | IBP | ASTM D86 | MIN 30 | 35 | |
| 13 | FBP | ASTM D86 | MAX 180 | 176 |