What’s That: Naphtha

Before we get into today’s article, we’re providing a quick update on the latest events affecting oil prices. Prompt crude rose by over $2 per barrel this morning, extending yesterday’s rally, which was driven by escalating tensions in the Middle East. Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu responded to the attack by stating, “Iran made a big mistake tonight, and it will pay for it,” adding more pressure to the geopolitical situation. Iran reportedly launched a salvo of ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for Israel’s campaign against Tehran’s Hezbollah allies in Lebanon. Meanwhile, the ports strike has halted operations at 14 major ports and could significantly impact GDP growth if it continues for an extended period. However, despite the potential economic impact, it is unlikely to directly affect US fuel and DEF imports.

Have you ever wondered what goes into the fuel powering your vehicle or the chemicals that form that fuel? One component behind the scenes is naphtha—a highly versatile and often overlooked intermediate product from crude oil. Whether it’s blending into gasoline to boost performance or serving as a feedstock in the petrochemical industry, understanding its wide range of uses could give you valuable insights into its importance in the energy landscape. Jump into today’s What’s That Wednesday to discover how naphtha fits into the fuel industry and why it matters.

What is Naphtha?

Naphtha is a versatile term used to describe a group of volatile and flammable liquid hydrocarbon mixtures, typically derived from petroleum or natural gas. The term is usually in reference to refined, partly refined, or unrefined crude oil products and liquid natural gas distillates that boil below 240°C (465°F). It is obtained as an intermediate product from crude oil distillation in refineries, situated between light gases and heavier liquids like kerosene. Naphtha comes in light and heavy grades, with light naphtha consisting mostly of hydrocarbons with 5–6 carbon atoms, while the heavy version contains hydrocarbons with 6–12 carbon atoms.

In the fuel industry, naphtha serves several roles. One of its primary uses is as a feedstock in petrochemical plants, where it’s converted into ethylene, propylene, and other chemicals that are needed in the production of plastics, resins, and synthetic fibers. Petroleum naphtha, primarily used in the United States, refers to a petroleum distillate made up mainly of aliphatic hydrocarbons. It has a boiling point range between gasoline and kerosene.

How is Naphtha Used for Gasoline Blending?

Another application is gasoline blending. It can be mixed with other fuel components to create gasoline, particularly in regions that require specific octane levels to meet fuel standards. It’s an important intermediate product in the refining process. It can be processed in catalytic reformers to produce reformate, a high-octane blending component for gasoline, or undergo isomerization to enhance its octane rating.

Naphtha serves as a volatile fraction of crude oil, often used as a solvent or gasoline precursor. Typically, at least 10% of naphtha distills below 75°C (167°F), and 95% distills below 240°C (465°F), though different grades of naphtha have varied boiling ranges. Generally, naphtha is desulfurized and catalytically reformed to produce high-octane components for gasoline blending. Due to crude oil and refinery variations, each refinery produces a unique form of naphtha with distinct boiling points and chemical compositions, making it difficult to define naphtha precisely. It typically contains varying proportions of paraffins, naphthenes, aromatics, and olefins, along with their isomers, within the C5 to C10 range.

Other Fuel Applications for Naphtha

Beyond these uses, naphtha is occasionally employed as a fuel for industrial applications, such as heating, or as a solvent for cleaning purposes. It has also gained traction as a shipping and transportation fuel, especially for vessels aiming to reduce sulfur emissions in compliance with International Maritime Organization (IMO) sulfur regulations. The specific role and characteristics of naphtha vary depending on its composition, which is influenced by the crude oil it originates from and the refining processes it undergoes. It is also used in industries such as petrochemicals and bitumen mining, as well as for producing cleaning solvents and lighter fluids.

Naphtha Production Process

It is produced through various methods, including distillation, solvent extraction, hydrogenation, polymerization of olefins, and alkylation processes. The most common method is distillation, which can produce either a single naphtha stream or divide it into light and heavy fractions. Sulfur compounds are typically removed or neutralized using chemical treatments or hydrorefining, especially when used as a solvent.

Naphtha’s versatility makes it valuable in multiple industries, such as paint, printing, rubber, adhesives, and more. Its characteristics—volatility, solvent power, purity, and odor—are tailored to different uses. Naphtha grades are categorized by their boiling ranges, including special boiling point spirits, pure aromatic compounds like BTX, white spirit, and high-boiling petroleum fractions. Odor is a foul factor in many applications, particularly when used in enclosed spaces like workshops and homes, making the proper selection and treatment of naphtha essential for specific end uses.