Naphta

Naphtha is an untreated petroleum distillate from the refining of crude oil or natural gas. It is in the boiling range of gasoline, serves as an important starting material for gasoline and is also a key raw material for petrochemical processes such as steam cracking.

Definition of naphtha
Naphtha, also known as crude gasoline, refers to light to medium crude oil fractions that are produced during the refining of crude oil or natural gas. The term is used for both light crude oils and untreated petroleum distillate. Chemically and technically, it is a hydrocarbon fraction that is roughly in the same boiling range as gasoline.

Background / Origin
The term "naphtha" is derived from the Greek word and has its origin in the Persian "naft", which means crude oil. In industrial practice, naphtha is produced during the distillation of crude oil as a fraction in the range from around 35 °C to 210 °C. This fraction is known as crude gasoline. This fraction is known as crude gasoline and forms the basis for various further processing methods.

A major area of application is in the production of gasoline. Naphtha is further refined in refineries, including by catalytic reforming, to produce high-quality gasoline components. Petrol is therefore not a directly used raw petrol, but a technically processed and refined product.

Naphtha is also an important raw material in the petrochemical industry. In steam cracking, it is broken down together with other hydrocarbons at high temperatures and in the presence of steam. This produces basic substances such as ethylene, propylene, butylene and butadiene, which serve as the basis for many plastics and chemical products.

Properties
Naphtha is a liquid hydrocarbon fraction that lies between light gases and heavier fractions such as kerosene. It is insoluble in water and, depending on its composition, appears as a colorless liquid with a kerosene odor or as a red-brown liquid with an aromatic odor.

The most important properties include

- Boiling range: approx. 35 °C to 210 °C
- Physical state: liquid
- Solubility: insoluble in water
- Hazard: extremely volatile and highly flammable
- Health assessment: classified as carcinogenic
- Composition: rich in cycloalkanes; depending on the type, varying proportions of kerosenes, naphthenes and aromatics

Light and heavy naphtha
A distinction is made between light and heavy naphtha. Light naphtha boils between 35 °C and 130 °C and has a higher kerosene content. Heavy naphtha boils between 130 °C and 210 °C and contains more naphthenes and aromatics.

Light naphtha is considered one of the least processed refinery fractions, while heavy naphtha is often used as a feedstock for further refining processes. This distinction is particularly relevant for technical use and further petrochemical processing.

Application and importance in the market
Naphtha plays a central role in the energy and chemical industries. On the one hand, it is an important starting material for the production of gasoline. On the other hand, it is one of the most important raw materials for petrochemical processes, especially for steam cracking to produce ethylene and propylene. These substances are basic products for plastics such as polyethylene and polypropylene.

Naphtha is also used as a solvent in the chemical industry, for example in cleaning processes. It is used as a diluent in industrial bitumen mining. Outside of traditional refinery and chemical applications, naphtha can also be found in individual everyday products, for example in certain medicines or as an ingredient in shoe polish.

According to the source text, naphtha-based products are traded, stored and handled within the Mabanaft Group.

Differentiation from similar terms

- Gasoline / petrol: Gasoline is a refined end product, while naphtha is the untreated or less processed precursor.
- Kerosene: Kerosene is a heavier fraction of crude oil distillation, while naphtha is in the lighter boiling range.
- Crude oil: Crude oil is the original fossil feedstock from which naphtha is obtained as a single fraction by distillation.
- Petrochemical cracking feedstocks: In addition to naphtha, ethane, LPG, hydro wax or gas oil can also be used in steam cracking. Naphtha is one of several suitable feedstocks.

Summary
Naphtha is a central raw material fraction in crude oil processing and forms the technical bridge between crude oil refining, fuel production and petrochemicals. As a crude gasoline, it is an important starting material for gasoline and for petrochemical base materials such as ethylene and propylene. At the same time, naphtha is a substance with clear safety requirements due to its high volatility and flammability.