Main-Product

Naphtha is a name given to several mixtures of liquid hydrocarbons that are extremely volatile and flammable. Each such mixture is obtained during the distillation of petroleum or coal tar, and occasionally by the distillation of wood. Accordingly, it is known by different names, such as petroleum naphtha, coal-tar naphtha, or wood naphtha.

The different naphthas are distinguished by:

• density (g/ml or specific gravity)
• PONA, PIONA or PIANO analysis, which measures (usually in volume percent but can also be in weight percent):
  • Paraffin content (volume percent)
  • Isoparaffin content (only in a PIONA analysis)
  • Olefins content (volume percent)
  • Naphthenes content (volume percent)
  • Aromatics content (volume percent)

Naphtha is used primarily as feedstock for producing a high-octane gasoline component via the catalytic reforming process. It is also used in the petrochemical industry for producing olefins in steam crackers and in the chemical industry for solvent (cleaning) applications.

Source: New World Encyclopedia, Naphtha

Liquid