Naphtha – raw material basis for fuels and lubricant production
Naphtha is a light petroleum distillate produced during the fractional distillation of crude oil. It is a volatile, transparent liquid that is chemically between gasoline and kerosene. Depending on its composition, a distinction is made between light and heavy naphtha – both are used in petrochemicals, fuel refining and base oil production.
How is naphtha used in the lubricant industry?
Naphtha is used as a raw material base for the production of synthetic molecules, e.g. by steam cracking to obtain ethylene and propylene – important starting materials for additives, solvents or PAO base oils (polyalphaolefins). Naphtha is also used in solvent refining to remove unwanted components from lubricating oils.
In the fuel industry, it is used to improve octane or is converted into high-octane gasoline components in the reforming process.
Is naphtha a finished lubricant?
No. Naphtha is not a lubricant, but an intermediate product in oil processing. It is either processed directly or used as a base material for the production of chemical compounds – e.g. for additives or for the synthesis of components in fully synthetic oils.
What are the dangers of naphtha?
As naphtha is highly flammable and very volatile, it must be stored and processed under strict safety precautions. It is a hazardous substance, is often classified as a solvent in industry and must not be confused with commercial fuels or lubricants.
What role does naphtha play in synthetic lubricants?
In the production of fully synthetic base oils – such as PAO (polyalphaolefins) – naphtha is converted into shorter, specifically composed molecules via petrochemical processes. These form the basis for particularly high-performance engine and gear oils, such as those used by BASINOL in high-performance lubricants.
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