Gasoline & Naphtha: What are the Differences?

In refinery distillation, both gasoline and naphtha are considered light fractions of crude oil right after LPG that we covered in the previous week. However, the main distinction between them is the composition and refinement level. Gasoline is a refined fuel composed of hydrocarbons ranging from C4 to C12. It is a finished product with high volatility and energy content. Naphtha, on the other hand, is an intermediate refinery product with hydrocarbons in a narrower range of C5 to C12. It is less refined than gasoline and is primarily used as a feedstock in petrochemical industries or as a blending component for gasoline.

Yes, Naphtha can be used for "blending" gasoline. Blending gasoline is a critical process in producing fuel out of refinery that meets specific standards set in each country, usually by the Government. It involves combining various hydrocarbons, such as reformate, alkylate, isomerate, and treated naphtha (Naphtha that has impurities removed such as sulfur, nitrogen, and metal). Later on in the blending process, additives may be added for the purpose of performance improvement or engine maintenance that gasoline provides.

But you may be curious, what are these "standards" in gasoline blending. We will cover it separately in the next article of how gasoline is put into different grades in Thailand.