light naphtha
Light Naphtha is one of the oil cuts obtained from the distillation of crude oil. This cut is in the range of hydrocarbons that have a carbon number between 5 and 7 carbon atoms per molecule and has a lower molecular weight and lower boiling point than heavy naphtha.
Features and applications
Characteristics of light naphtha
1. Low molecular weight: Light naphtha has less carbon number and lower molecular weight than heavy naphtha.
2. Low boiling point: This compound boils in the temperature range of 30 to 90 degrees Celsius, which indicates a lower boiling point than other petroleum fractions.
3. High volatility: Light naphtha is highly volatile and evaporates easily due to its lower boiling point.
4. Aliphatic nature: Light naphtha usually contains aliphatic hydrocarbons (alkanes and alkenes), which are less chemically stable than aromatic compounds.
Applications of light naphtha
1. Raw material for petrochemicals: Light naphtha is used as feed in steam cracking units to produce ethylene and propylene. These raw materials are used in the production of plastics, synthetic fibers, and other petrochemical products.
2. Industrial solvent: due to its volatility and solubility characteristics, light naphtha is used as a solvent in various industries, such as the production of paints, varnishes, and detergents.
3. Industrial and commercial fuels: Light naphtha is used as a fuel or octane booster in gasoline production. This combination can help improve the combustion characteristics of gasoline.
4. Diluent: Light naphtha is used as a diluent in crude oil and natural gas extraction processes, especially to reduce the viscosity of heavy oils and facilitate their flow in pipelines.
5. Preparation of synthetic gas: In some petrochemical units, light naphtha is used to produce synthetic gas (a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide), which is used to produce ammonia, methanol and other chemicals.
Due to its special chemical and physical characteristics, light naphtha plays an important role in various industries, especially in petrochemical and fuel production. This compound is used as a key raw material in the production of many basic chemicals and plastics.
Specification table of light naphtha
| 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 |