Product Details

Naphtha

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Naphtha is a liquid hydrocarbon obtained from the distillation of crude oil or other petroleum production processes. Naphtha is actually a complex mixture that includes a collection of different hydrocarbons such as alkanes, cycloalkanes, and aromatics. It is usually yellow or colorless and has a characteristic odor similar to gasoline.

Naphtha comes in two main types: light naphtha and heavy naphtha. Light naphtha is usually used to produce gasoline and similar products, while heavy naphtha is more commonly used in the petrochemical industry and as a raw material for the production of various chemical products.

 

Production of Naphtha

Naphtha is usually obtained from the distillation process of crude oil. This process generally involves distilling crude oil in a distillation tower, where different substances are separated from each other according to their boiling points. Naphtha is an intermediate product of this process. In addition, Naphtha can also be produced through reforming processes such as cracking and reforming. In these processes, the chemical composition of naphtha is changed and products with specific properties are obtained.

Usages

Petrochemical feedstock: Naphtha is used as the main feedstock in steam cracker units to be cracked into ethylene, propylene and other olefins. These compounds are the raw materials for the production of plastics, rubber and resins.
Fuel: Naphtha is sometimes used as a fuel for industrial engines and ships.
Solvent: Due to its stable chemical properties, naphtha is used as a solvent in the paint and resin industries.
Aromatic derivatives: Naphtha rich in aromatics is used to produce benzene, toluene and xylene in the chemical industry.

Storage conditions

Kerosene should be stored and used with care and safety precautions to reduce potential hazards. This fuel should be stored in closed, non-flammable containers away from direct sunlight. The storage area should be cool, dry, and well-ventilated to prevent vapor buildup. When using kerosene in a heater or stove, make sure the flame is properly lit and never leave it near a fire or heating device unattended. Also, avoid spilling or leaking it into the environment, as it may cause contamination or a fire hazard.

One of the most important and key intermediate products of the crude oil refining industry is naphtha cut, which has high fuel and chemical value. This product is used as a feed in petrochemical units, including steam crackers, catalytic converters, and isomerization. Different types of naphtha cuts are produced and supplied in refinery processes.

Naphtha includes hydrocarbons with 5 to 12 carbon atoms, whose boiling points vary from 30 to 200 degrees Celsius. This cut is also called natural gasoline or straight run gasoline. In fact, if we heat crude oil from 30 to 200 degrees Celsius and separate the boiling part, naphtha will be obtained. Usually, 15 to 30 percent of crude oil boils at this temperature, so this amount of crude oil can be converted directly into naphtha. Naphtha is usually sold in the market in two types: light naphtha (carbon 5 and 6 hydrocarbons) and heavy naphtha (carbon 6 to 12 hydrocarbons). Heavy naphtha generally has a small share in the trade and is consumed as feedstock for downstream units at the production site.

As mentioned, naphtha is one of the most important feedstocks used in the refining and petrochemical industry. Naphtha in crude oil refineries is usually fed to gasoline units including catalytic reforming and isomerization, and after purification and production of reformate and isomerate, it is blended in the gasoline pool and supplied as fuel. Heavy and light naphtha in petrochemical complexes is the feedstock for steam cracker and catalytic reforming units, which produce basic petrochemical products including light olefins (ethylene, propylene, butylene and butadiene) and aromatics (benzene, toluene and xylene).

Global naphtha production is about 6.5 million barrels per day. The Asia-Pacific region is the largest producer of naphtha in the world, producing more than 75% of the world’s naphtha in 2023. On the other hand, North America and Asia-Pacific were the largest gasoline producers in 2023, with 9.4 and 7.4 million barrels per day, respectively.

Currently, 10 refining complexes in the country are operational and several refineries are under construction, including Mehr Khalij Fars and Siraf, which have the potential to supply naphtha. It is worth noting that many of the country’s gas and liquefied natural gas (NGL) units also produce and supply light and heavy naphtha. Currently, due to the imbalance and high consumption of gasoline, most of the naphtha produced by refineries is used to produce gasoline, and the supply of feedstock to petrochemicals is facing serious challenges. If this situation continues and the trend of fuel consumption is upward, refineries will be forced to use all of the naphtha to produce gasoline, and practically no feedstock will be delivered to petrochemicals, or we will be forced to import gasoline. Therefore, by providing appropriate solutions and taking effective measures, the fuel imbalance must be minimized and a balance must be created between gasoline production and the supply of feedstock to petrochemicals.

The Value Chain Studies Center believes that, given the access to light and quality hydrocarbon resources such as natural gas liquids (NGL), condensate and light crude oil, our beloved country Iran has the ability to produce high-quality and competitive naphtha to provide to the petrochemical industry, which can produce basic products and develop the value chain of these products with the help of steam cracker processes and aromatics production. On the other hand, it should also be noted that sustainable and competitive development for petrochemical complexes and projects can be expected when the relationship between the refining and petrochemical industries is systematically defined and maintained.

Introduction to Naphtha and its Applications

Naptha is a vital raw material in the chemical and petrochemical industries that has wide applications in the production of various products. This material is obtained as a by-product of the crude oil distillation process and is known as an essential material in many industries due to its special characteristics.

 

What is Naphtha?

Naphtha is a liquid hydrocarbon that is obtained from the distillation of crude oil or other oil production processes. Naphtha is actually a complex mixture that includes a collection of different hydrocarbons such as alkanes, cycloalkanes, and aromatics. This substance is usually yellow or colorless and has a specific odor that is similar to gasoline.

Naphtha comes in two main types: light naphtha and heavy naphtha. Light naphtha is usually used to produce gasoline and similar products, while heavy naphtha is more commonly used in the petrochemical industry and as a raw material for the production of various chemical products.

 

Properties of Naphtha

Naphtha is used in many industrial processes due to its special chemical properties. Some of the important properties of naphtha are:

  1. Boiling point: Naphtha usually has a boiling point between 30 and 200 degrees Celsius, which allows it to be used in various distillation and separation processes.
  2. Chemical composition: Naphtha contains various combinations of hydrocarbons, which depending on its type can be mainly composed of alkanes, aromatics, or other compounds.
  3. Combustibility: As a fuel, naphtha has good combustion properties and is therefore used in the production of energy and various fuels.

 

 

Production of Naphtha

Naphtha is usually obtained from the distillation process of crude oil. This process generally involves the distillation of crude oil in a distillation tower, where different substances are separated from each other according to their boiling points. Naphtha is one of the intermediate products of this process. In addition, Naphtha can also be produced through reforming processes such as cracking and reforming. In these processes, the chemical composition of naphtha is changed and products with special properties are obtained.

 

Uses of Naphtha

Naptha is known as a widely used chemical in various industries. Due to its chemical properties, this material is used in a wide range of industrial processes and the production of various products. Below, we will mention the most important uses of naphtha.

1. Gasoline production

One of the main uses of naphtha is the production of gasoline. Due to its light hydrocarbon compounds, naphtha can easily be converted into gasoline in oil refining processes. This process is usually carried out through naphtha reforming, in which the hydrocarbons in naphtha are converted into aromatic compounds. The gasoline obtained from naphtha is usually of higher quality and is suitable for use in vehicles.

2. Production of petrochemical chemicals

Naptha is one of the main raw materials in the petrochemical industry. It is used as a feedstock for the production of various petrochemical products, including ethylene, propylene, benzene, and toluene. These chemical products are used in the production of plastics, detergents, rubber, synthetic fibers, and other important chemicals. Naphtha plays a vital role in the chemical industry as a primary source for the production of these products.

3. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Production

In some industrial processes, naphtha is used as a raw material for the production of liquefied natural gas (LNG). LNG is an important source of energy used in various processes, including transportation and power generation. Naphtha, as an intermediate in the production of LNG, can play an effective role in these processes due to its special chemical properties.

 

 

4. Cracking and production of other products

Naptha is one of the important raw materials in the cracking process. Cracking is a chemical process in which large hydrocarbon molecules are broken into smaller molecules. This process is used to produce various products including light gases, gasoline, diesel and other petrochemical products. Naphtha is one of the best raw materials for this process due to its special chemical composition.

5. Paint and Coatings Industries

Naptha is also used in the paint and coatings industries as a solvent and raw material in the production of various paints, resins and coatings. Due to its high solubility and suitable volatility, this material can act as an essential component in many paint and coating production processes.

6. Pharmaceutical and perfumery industries

In the pharmaceutical and perfumery industries, naphtha is used as a solvent for extracting aromatic and medicinal compounds. This material can be used as a solvent in the extraction process of essential oils and essential oils. Naphtha also plays an effective role in the preparation of some chemical drugs.

 

 

Benefits of using naphtha

This material has many advantages due to its special characteristics, which makes it useful in various industries. Some of these advantages include:

  1. High availability: Naphtha is a by-product of the crude oil refining process, so its availability is high in many countries.
  2. Low production cost: Naphtha, as a petroleum by-product, has a relatively low production cost, making it a cost-effective option for various industries.
  3. Variety of applications: Naphtha, due to its special chemical composition, is used in many chemical and industrial industries and can be used in various production processes.
  4. Ability to convert into other products: Naphtha can be converted into various products in various processes such as cracking, reforming, and refining, including gasoline, diesel, propylene, and other petrochemical products.

 

 

Features

Naphtha is used in many industrial processes due to its unique chemical properties. Some of the important properties of naphtha are:

Boiling point: Naphtha typically has a boiling point between 30 and 200 degrees Celsius, which allows it to be used in various distillation and separation processes.
Chemical composition: Naphtha contains various combinations of hydrocarbons, which, depending on its type, can be mainly composed of alkanes, aromatics, or other compounds.
Combustibility: As a fuel, naphtha has good combustion properties and is therefore used in the production of energy and various fuels.

Challenges and limitations of using naphtha

Despite the benefits of naphtha, this material also has some challenges and limitations. These challenges include the following:

  1. Environmental pollution: The production and use of naphtha can lead to air and water pollution. Also, some products derived from naphtha can be converted into greenhouse gases that have negative impacts on climate change.
  2. Competition with renewable energy sources: As renewable energy technologies advance, the use of naphtha as a fossil fuel and feedstock in some processes may face challenges.