Naphtha (H3)
Naphtha is a general term for a volatile, flammable liquid hydrocarbon mixture used primarily as a petrochemical feedstock and a component in gasoline blending. It is typically categorized into two main types based on boiling point and composition.
Key Features: (H4)
- Volatility and Flammability: Naphtha is highly volatile and extremely flammable, requiring careful handling and storage.
- Appearance and Odor: It is typically a colorless to reddish-brown liquid with a characteristic hydrocarbon or gasoline-like odor. Odor is generally milder in paraffin-rich types and stronger in aromatic types
- Composition Variability: The exact composition of naphtha (paraffins, naphthene, aromatics, olefins) is highly dependent on the crude oil source and the refinery processes used to produce it (e.g., straight-run distillation, catalytic cracking, hydrocracking).
- Processing: Raw or "straight-run" naphtha often requires further processing, such as desulfurization or catalytic reforming, to meet product specifications or to be used efficiently as a feedstock.
- Role in Industry: Naphtha is a vital intermediate product, serving as a fundamental building block for a wide range of consumer products, including plastics, synthetic rubber, and various solvents.