What Is Naphtha Used For?
Before fuel for your engine, oil can be referred to as crude oil. Crude oil is a petroleum artifact that can be found by drilling in the ocean or on land. As a resource that is extracted from the earth, it is a global commodity that trades in markets all over the world. This type of oil is a nonrenewable resource, which means it is not able to be replenished at the same rate that it is being used. After extracting this component, the product is then refined. The main components of this oil are processed into a variety of forms to be used as gasoline, kerosene, and other things. The mixture, commonly referred to as naphtha, is made up of paraffin, naphthene’s, and aromatic hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons are identified as organic chemicals because they are the most abundant in living organisms. Let’s take a look at the properties of naphtha to figure out why it is such a useful energy tool.
Properties of Naphtha
- Volatile (easily evaporated)
- Fossil fuel (non-renewable)
- Energy
- Ranges in color from black to yellow-clear
- Hydrocarbon mixture (consists of hydrogen and carbon molecules)
- Petroleum form
- High flammability
- Solvent properties
- Industrial purposes
The refining process is carried out in the process of distillation. There is a specific form of distillation that refines crude oil to be used. This form of distillation is called fractional distillation. In this process, oil is heated to high temperatures until it turns into a vapor form (gas). This gas is then put into a heat gradient column where it is then condensed into caps that separate and condense them further into liquids based on their boiling points. Naphtha-based fuel is typically used for camp fueling or other outdoor applications. This more volatile form of petroleum is used as a solvent, fuel, or for other industrial purposes, even gasoline.
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