naphtha

/'næfθə/

Thân thiện

A chemist carefully pours naphtha into a beaker in the laboratory.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A volatile, flammable liquid hydrocarbon mixture: "Naphtha" refers to any of several light, colorless, and highly flammable liquid mixtures of hydrocarbons. It is obtained primarily from the distillation of petroleum or coal tar and is used chiefly as an industrial solvent, a fuel, or as a raw material in the production of chemicals like gasoline.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The factory uses naphtha as a solvent to clean machinery.
  • Naphtha is a key feedstock in the petrochemical industry.

Advanced Usage

• "Heavy naphtha" and "light naphtha": These terms classify naphtha based on its boiling point range and specific hydrocarbon composition, which determines its primary industrial application (e.g., as a gasoline blendstock or a solvent).
  • Light naphtha is often reformed to produce high-octane gasoline components.

Variants and Related Words

• Naphthalene (n): A white, crystalline aromatic hydrocarbon derived from naphtha or coal tar, used in mothballs and chemical synthesis.
• Naphthol (n): Either of two isomeric phenols derived from naphthalene, used in dyes and pharmaceuticals.

Synonyms

• Ligroin: A specific, refined fraction of petroleum naphtha used as a solvent.
• Petroleum ether: A volatile petroleum fraction similar to naphtha, used as a laboratory solvent.

Related Phrases

• Naphtha cracker: An industrial unit (cracker) that processes naphtha to produce lighter olefins like ethylene and propylene.
  • The new naphtha cracker will increase the plant's production of basic plastics.

Học thuật

Noun

1. any of various volatile flammable liquid hydrocarbon mixtures; used chiefly as solvents