| Naphtha |
Articles about Naphtha |
Information AboutNaphtha |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT NAPHTHA | |
| petroleum products | |
| oil refineries | |
| chemical engineering | |
| hydrocarbon solvents | |
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PRODUCTION OF NAPHTHA IN REFINERIES AND USES Naphtha is obtained from Petroleum refineries as a portion of the distillation (also referred to as a cut). It is an intermediate between the lighter Gasoline and the heavier Benzine . Naphtha has a Specific Gravity of about 0.7. The generic name naphtha describes a range of different refinery cuts used in the different applications. To further complicate the matter similar naphtha types are often referred to by different names. The different naphthas are distinguished by:
Paraffinic naphthas Generally speaking "lighter" or rather less dense naphthas will have a higher Paraffin content, these are therefore also referred to as paraffinic naphtha. The main application these naphthas are used for are as a Feedstock in the petrochemical production of Olefin s. This is also the reason they are sometimes referred to as "light distillate feedstock" or '''LDF''' (as described above a variety of names exist and these types can also be called "straight run gasoline"/'''SRG''' or "light virgin naphtha"/'''LVN'''). When used as feedstock in petrochemical steam crackers, the naphtha is heated in the presence of water vapour and the absence of oxygen or air until the hydrocarbon molecules fall apart. The primary products of the cracking process are olefins ( Ethylene / Ethene , Propylene / Propene and Butadiene ) and aromatics ( Benzene and Toluene ). These are used as feedstocks for derivative units that produce Plastic s ( Polyethylene and Polypropylene for example), Synthetic Fiber precursors ( Acrylonitrile ), industrial chemicals ( Glycol s for instance). Heavy naphthas The "heavier" or rather denser types are usually richer in naphthenes and aromatics and therefore also referred to as N&A's. These can also be used in the petrochemical industry but more often are used as a feedstock for refinery Catalytic Reformer s where they convert the lower Octane naphtha to a higher octane product called Reformate . Alternative names for these types are Straight Run Benzene (SRB) or Heavy Virgin Naphtha (HVN). Other applications / descriptions Naphthas are also used in other applications such as
ETYMOLOGY The origin of the word Naphtha is unclear. It is an Ancient Greek word which was used to refer to any sort of Petroleum or Pitch . The Greeks themselves borrowed the word from the Old Persian words ''nafata'', ''naft'' or ''neft'', which were used to describe bubbling oil. Naphtha may also have been derived from the name of the Vedic Hindu and Avestic god Apam Napat , a form of Agni , or fire god. SEE ALSO |
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