Naphtha
A versatile refinery feedstock for petrochemical production, reforming and gasoline blending.
Product Overview
Naphtha is a mixture of light hydrocarbons produced through petroleum refining. Light and heavy grades differ in boiling range and composition, making the product relevant to several industrial routes. Paraffinic naphtha is widely used in steam cracking, while heavier streams can be suitable for reforming.
Grades & Specification
Naphtha is characterised by its refinery stream, boiling range and composition. There is no single universal specification for every end use.
| Characteristic | Reference Basis | Product Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Grade & Origin | Light or heavy; stream type | Virgin and cracked streams have different composition profiles. |
| Distillation | Initial / final boiling points | The boiling curve describes the light and heavy fractions. |
| Hydrocarbon Composition | Paraffins, naphthenes, aromatics & olefins | Composition influences cracking yield and reformer suitability. |
| Sulphur & Contaminants | Application-specific limits | Sulphur, chlorides and other trace contaminants affect downstream use. |
| Density & Vapour Pressure | Grade-specific values | Relevant to product characterisation, storage and blending. |
| Appearance & Colour | Specified test basis | Physical appearance and colour support product characterisation. |
The parameters above describe a specification framework. Numerical limits are defined for the particular grade and end use.
Composition Defines the Application
A product described simply as “naphtha” can cover materially different feedstocks. Distillation and hydrocarbon composition provide a more useful picture of its industrial value than the product name alone.