Question

What is solvent naphtha? What is its use?

Answer 1

Naphtha is that light product of crude oil refining which is mostly used as feedstock for petrochemical cracking or as gasoline reforming and blending. There are two classes of naphtha which are paraffinic naphtha and heavy naphtha. Solvent naphtha is generally obtained mainly from coal-tar light oils or coke-over gas or it can be produced from petroleum cracking.

Complete answer:
Naphtha is a light product which is formed in crude oil refining and it is mainly used as feedstock for petrochemical refining or in gasoline reforming and blending.
Solvent naphtha is a flammable liquid distillate which contains mainly xylenes and higher aromatic hydrocarbons.
So we can say that solvent naphtha can be obtained mainly from petroleum cracking, coke-over gas or from coal-tar light oils.
Now, the uses of solvent naphtha are:
- As the name suggests naphtha is mostly used as the solvent.
- It is used in hydrocarbon cracking and cleaning fluids.
- It is also used to make varnishes.
- It is sometimes used as a fuel for camp stoves.
- It can be used as a solvent (diluent) for paint.

Note:
Naphtha can be classified into two classes of naphtha which are paraffinic naphtha and heavy naphtha. Paraffinic naphtha mainly consists of olefins and it is suitable for polyolefin/olefin production. Paraffinic naphtha has further three grades such as light grade naphtha, full-range grade and open-spec grade. Heavy naphtha is used in aromatic production and the gasoline reforming.