Hexane has been used for decades to extract edible oil from cottonseed. However, due to increased regulations affecting hexane because of the 1990 Clean Air Act and potential health risks, the oil-extraction industry urgently needs alternative hydrocarbon solvents to replace hexane. Five solvents,n-heptane, isohexane, neohexane, cyclohexane, and cylopentane, were compared with commercial hexane using a benchscale extractor. The extractions were done with a solvent to cottonseed flake ratio of 5.5 to 1 (w/w) and a miscella recycle flow rate of 36 mL/min/sq cm (9 gal/min/sq ft) at a temperature of 10 to 45°C below the boiling point of the solvent. After a 10-min single-stage extraction, commercial hexane removed 100% of the oil from the flakes at 55°C; heptane extracted 100% at 75°C and 95.9% at 55°C; isohexane extracted 93.1% at 45°C; while cyclopentane, cyclohexane, and neohexane removed 93.3, 89.4, and 89.6% at 35, 55, and 35°C, respectively. Each solvent removed gossypol from cottonseed flakes at a different rate, with cyclopentane being most and neohexane least effective. Based on the bench-scale extraction results and the availability of these candidate solvents, heptane and isohexane are the alternative hydrocarbon solvents most likely to replace hexane.

The Hexane Market is Segmented by Type (n-Hexane, Isohexane, Neohexane), Grade (Polymer Grade, Food Grade, Other Grades), Application (Industrial Solvents, Edible Oil Extractant, Adhesives and Sealants, Paints and Coatings, Other Applications), and Geography (Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East & Africa).

The hexane arket report include: 

Edible Oil Extraction to Dominate the Market

• Hexane is increasingly being used as a solvent to extract edible oils from seed and vegetable crops, e.g., peanuts, soybeans, corn, etc.
• Hexane has a greater ability to extract oil, compared to other solvents, like petroleum ether and ethyl acetate. It easily mixes with vegetable oil and washes it out without disturbing fiber, protein, sugar, and undesired gums.
• Growth in the edible oil segment can be attributed to the rising awareness among consumers about the use of refined oil and the impact it has on health.
• According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the consumption of edible oils like soybean oil, in 2019, in the United States, was 10,659 metric ton and canola oil was 2,465 metric ton. Moreover, according to the Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade, in India, the investment value in the vegetable oil sector, in 2019, was around INR 18 billion.
• Additionally, the consumers are inclined to pay higher prices for healthy food products, owing to the increasing food-based health challenges, such as high cholesterol, obesity, etc.
• The growing popularity of edible oils with added health benefits in many countries is shaping the purchase decisions of edible oils, which are high in omega 3, vitamins, oryzanol, natural antioxidants, and others. Thus, exhibiting the likely demand for edible oils in the forthcoming years.

Use of leaching solvent in preparing edible fat and oil

A leaching solvent used for preparing edible oils is characterized in that the solvent is applied to the leaching process of edible oil preparation so as to leach oil from materials. The solvent consists of the following components by weight ratio: 94 to 100 percent of isohexane, 0 to 3 percent of normal hexane and 0 to 3 percent of butane and pentane; the leaching process includes the following steps of: 1) leaching: the leaching temperature is 48 to 53 DEG C and a mass ratio between the materials and solvent is 1/1 to 0.8; mixed oil and leached wet meal are obtained; 2) desolventizing: the finished meal is obtained; 3) the evaporation of a first long-tube; 4) the evaporation of a second long-tube; mixed oil is obtained; and 5) steam stripping: raw oil is obtained. The solvent of the invention is mainly composed of isohexane so as to largely reduce the harm to the health of operators exposed in the manufacturing environment; the product quality can be enhanced and the protection to environment can be enhanced; the latent heat for the evaporation of isohexane is low and then the energy cost required by the solvent recycling can be effectively reduced.

Corn oil (maize oil) is oil extracted from the germ of corn (maize). Its main use is in cooking, where its high smoke point makes refined corn oil a valuable frying oil. It is also a key ingredient in some margarines. Corn oil is generally less expensive than most other types of vegetable oils.

Corn oil is also a feedstock used for biodiesel. Other industrial uses for corn oil include soap, salve, paint, erasers, rustproofing for metal surfaces, inks, textiles, nitroglycerin, and insecticides. It is sometimes used as a carrier for drug molecules in pharmaceutical preparations.

Global n-Hexane market dynamics 

Demand for n-Hexane, especially in developing region such Asia Pacific, is expected to boost the demand of the global n-Hexane market over the forecast period. Excellent properties of n-Hexane to remove odor and unwanted taste are expected to propel the demand of n-Hexane from the edible oil industry. n-Hexane has the ability to remove unwanted taste and odor and this is the precise reason that the demand for n-Hexane has increased in edible oil industry. However, the consumers from developed regions are shifting from refined oil to cold-pressed oil owing to its superior health benefits. Cold pressing is a natural way to produce oil which does not contain solvent residues, no preservatives with natural antioxidants. In addition, Isohexane, a hexane isomer is used as a substitute of n-Hexane in few oilseed extraction applications. Due to toxic nature of n-Hexane, it has been substituted by n-heptane in some pharmaceutical applications. This may retard the growth of the n-Hexane market.

Almost all corn oil is expeller-pressed, then solvent-extracted using hexane or 2-methylpentane (isohexane). The solvent is evaporated from the corn oil, recovered, and re-used. After extraction, the corn oil is then refined by degumming and/or alkali treatment, both of which remove phosphatides. Alkali treatment also neutralizes free fatty acids and removes color (bleaching). Final steps in refining include winterization (the removal of waxes), and deodorization by steam distillation of the oil at 232–260 °C (450–500 °F) under a high vacuum.

Some specialty oil producers manufacture unrefined, 100%-expeller-pressed corn oil. This is a more expensive product since it has a much lower yield than the combination expeller and solvent process, as well as a smaller market share.

Isohexane, 99%, CAS NO: 107-83-5

Specifications:

1.Colour and Status: Colorless and transparent liquid, no visible mechanical impurities

2. Isohexane, wt% : 99.76

3. n-Hexane, wt%: 0.2277

4. Density (20 ℃), kg / m3 : 657

5. Bromine index, mgBr / 100g ≤ 0.01

6. IBP(℃) ≥ 59

7. FBP(℃) ≤ 61

8. Sulfur content, mg/kg: 0.8

9. Water Content mg/kg: 21
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Isohexane #Hexane #Hexanes #Iso-Hexane #iHexane

n-Hexane (normal hexane) is a colourless, volatile liquid. 
Commercial hexane is mainly a mixture of hexane isomers and related 
6-carbon compounds, and has an  n-hexane content varying between 20 
and 80%.  Gas chromatography coupled with flame ionization 
detection or mass spectroscopy is a suitable technique for the 
measurement of  n-hexane.  Occupational exposure limits range from 
100 - 1800 mg/m3 (time-weighted average, TWA) and 400 - 1500 mg/m3 
(ceiling value, CLV) in various countries. 

     n-Hexane can be isolated from natural gas and crude oil.  It is 
used in food processing, including the extraction of vegetable oil, 
and as a solvent in various products and processes. 

    Once emitted into the environment,  n-hexane exists 
predominantly in the vapour phase.  In the atmosphere its half-life 
is estimated to be approximately 2 days, based on its reactivity 
with the OH radical alone.  Reported LC50 values for aquatic 
organisms are few and variable and have been conducted under 
inappropriate conditions; an assessment of the toxic effects of 
 n-hexane in this environment is, therefore, not possible.  Low 
water solubility and high volatility make exposure of aquatic 
organisms unlikely except from uncontrolled discharge into surface 
waters. 

    In mammals,  n-hexane is absorbed rapidly through the lungs and 
is distributed widely in the adult body, as well as to fetal 
tissue.  Dermal absorption is limited.   n-Hexane is metabolized 
oxidatively to a number of compounds, including 2,5-hexanedione, 
which is thought to be the ultimate neurotoxic agent.  Particularly 
high levels of  n-hexane and 2,5-hexanedione can occur in the 
sciatic nerve of rats.  Most  n-hexane is excreted unchanged in 
exhaled air; some is excreted as metabolites in exhaled air and 
urine. 

     n-Hexane is of low acute toxicity for adult rats by oral 
administration or inhalation.  Oral LD50 values of 15 - 30 g/kg 
have been recorded, and an inhalation LC50 value of 271 040 mg/m3 
(77 000 ppm) has been reported for a 1-h exposure.  At high vapour 
concentrations, animals show ataxia, seizures, and signs of central 
nervous system depression. 

    Testicular lesions and neurotoxicity appear to be the principal 
effects of repeated  n-hexane exposure in rats.  Severe testicular 
lesions have resulted from inhalation exposure to  n-hexane and oral 
exposure to 2,5-hexanedione.  Effects have been attributed to 
disruption of the cytoskeleton of Sertoli cells.  There are 
secondary effects on post-spermatogonial germ cells, which 
disappear from affected tubules.  Testicular effects were 
reversible after a single exposure for 24 h to 17 600 mg/m3 (5000 
ppm) but irreversible after a 2-week exposure to the same 
concentration for 16 h/day, 6 days/week.  2,5-Hexanedione at 1% in 
drinking-water produced similar reversible testicular lesions after 
2 to 3 weeks of dosing and irreversible effects (within 17 weeks) 
after 5 weeks of dosing. 

    The neurotoxic effect is characterized clinically by hindlimb 
weakness, which can progress to paralysis.  Axonal swellings 
develop in the central and peripheral nervous systems; more severe 
lesions (axonal degeneration and loss) can occur, particularly in 
the longest, largest-diameter nerves.  In essentially continuous 
6-month inhalation studies, peripheral and central nervous system 
lesions were present at doses of 1760 mg/m3 (500 ppm) or more, but 
no clinical or pathological effects were noted at 440 mg/m3 (125 
ppm).  Only limited recovery of amplitude of the fifth brainstem 
auditory-evoked response (believed to reflect central nervous 
system activity) and tail nerve action potential was recorded 15 - 
22 weeks after cessation of continuous exposure to a vapour 
concentration of 3520 mg/m3 (1000 ppm), 5 days/week, for 11 weeks. 
Discontinuous exposure of rats to 3168 mg/m3 (900 ppm) for 72 weeks 
did not cause any apparent peripheral or central nervous system 
lesions, but there was some evidence of electrophysiological 
effects on peripheral nerves. 

     n-Hexane-induced neurotoxicity can be enhanced by combined 
exposure to methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, and lead 
acetate, and decreased by co-exposure to toluene.  Toluene and 
 n-hexane also have a synergistic effect in the disturbance of 
dopamine levels. 

    Severe microscopic lesions were noted in skin when  n-hexane 
was applied dermally under occlusive conditions for short periods. 
Prolonged exposure to an  n-hexane vapour concentration of 10 560 
mg/m3 (3000 ppm) can cause conjunctival irritation in rats and 
marked ocular irritation in rabbits.  No skin sensitization data 
are available from animal studies. 

    Chromosomal damage (polyploidy in one study, structural 
aberrations in a second study) has been reported in both  in vitro
and  in vivo studies.  No increase in point mutation frequency or 
effects in tests for DNA damage has been noted. 

    There has been one carcinogenicity study with  n-hexane (skin 
painting on mice), which provided no evidence of carcinogenicity. 

    The reproductive toxicity of  n-hexane has not been studied 
adequately.  There was no substantial evidence of embryotoxicity or 
teratogenicity in rats following inhalation, though concentrations 
were relatively low, or in mice after oral dosing.  Postnatal 
development of rats was transiently delayed when dams were exposed 
to an  n-hexane vapour concentration of 3520 mg/m3 (1000 ppm). 

    Very little information is available on the acute toxicity of 
 n-hexane to humans.  Most studies have involved occupational 
exposure to solvent mixtures.  The available data suggest that 
 n-hexane has low acute toxicity.  Signs of central nervous system 
depression, such as drowsiness, vertigo, and giddiness, have been 
reported after exposure to a commercial hexane level of 3520 to 
17 600 mg/m3 (1000 - 5000 ppm) for 10 - 60 min. 

     n-Hexane is a mild irritant causing transient erythema when in 
contact with human skin for short periods.  More severe effects 
(erythema and blistering) were documented after occlusive skin 
contact for 5 h with commercial grade hexane.  There have been no 
case reports of sensitization of skin in exposed workers, and no 
skin sensitization was noted in a maximization test with  n-hexane. 

    On repeated exposure,  n-hexane is neurotoxic, inducing a type 
of sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy.  Many studies on the 
prevalence of  n-hexane-induced neurotoxicity have been published; 
however, adequate exposure data are often lacking.  Exposure to 
 n-hexane concentrations in air varying from 106 - 8800 mg/m3 
(30 - 2500 ppm) has been associated with neuropathy.  Cases of 
marked peripheral neuropathy were reported among Japanese sandal 
workers and Taiwanese press proofers exposed to  n-hexane levels of 
approximately 176 and 352 mg/m3 (50 and 100 ppm), respectively, for 
periods exceeding 8 h per day.  In many cases exposure measurements 
were recent and probably did not accurately reflect previous 
exposures causing neuropathy. 

    Several cross-sectional studies have independently reported 
mild subclinical effects (for example, electrophysiological 
changes in peripheral nerves) in workers exposed to 70 - 352 mg/m3 
(20 - 100 ppm).  However, no clear cases of clinically overt 
peripheral neuropathy were identified in any of these studies at 
exposure levels of less than 352 mg/m3 (100 ppm). 

    The effects of  n-hexane on the central nervous system have been 
investigated only in a few studies.  Changes in somatosensory 
evoked potentials recorded from workers exposed to  n-hexane were 
suggested to result from a central nerve conduction block.  Altered 
visual evoked potentials and EEG traces have also been noted. 
These results suggest that  n-hexane may produce central nervous 
system dysfunction, but the available data provide no information 
on related exposure levels. 
Identity 
Common synonyms: Hexyl hydride, hexane, Skellysolve 
B Chemical structure:
     H H H H H H
    | | | | | |
    | | | | | |
H---C---C---C---C---C---C---H
    | | | | | |
    | | | | | |
     H H H H H H
Chemical formula: C6H14
CAS registry number: 110-54-3
Relative molecular mass: 86.177
Physical and chemical properties
Some physical and chemical properties of various grades of
n-hexane are given in Table 1.
Table 1. Physical and chemical properties of n-hexanea
Boiling point (°C) 68.74b
Melting point (°C) -95.35b
Relative density (20 °C/4 °C) 0.66
Vapour pressure (25 °C) 20 kPa (150 mmHg)
Vapour density 2.97
Autoignition temperature (°C) 225
Explosive limit in air (% by volume) 1.1-7.5
Flash point (°C) -21.7
Closed-cup flash point (°C)c -30.56
Solubility in water (mg/litre at 25 °C) 9.5
Log n-octanol/water partition coefficient
(log Pow at 25 °C) 3.6
Refractive index (20 °C) 1.37
Colour, Saybolt +39
a From: Mellan (1977)and IRPTC (1990).
b From: Clayton & Clayton (1981).
c From: ACGIH (1986).
n-Hexane is colourless, highly volatile (NIOSH, 1977a), and
flammable (Dale & Drehman, 1980; ACGIH, 1986). It is poorly
soluble in water but is soluble in most organic solvents including
ethanol and ether (McAuliffe, 1963; NIOSH, 1977a; ACGIH, 1986).
Purified n-hexane contains 95 - 99.5% n-hexane, together with
small amounts of other hexane isomers as impurities (Mellan, 1977;
Baker & Rickert, 1981; Sandmeyer, 1981). Traces of benzene (0.05%)
have been detected (Baker & Rickert, 1981). Commercial hexane is a
mixture of hexane isomers ( n-hexane, 2-methylpentane,
3-methylpentane, 2,3-dimethylbutane), cyclohexane, methyl
cyclopentane and small amounts of pentane and heptane isomers,
acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, dichloromethane, and
trichloroethylene (Perbellini et al., 1981a,b,c; ACGIH, 1986). The
n-hexane content of commercial hexane (Table 2) can vary between
20% and 80% (ACGIH, 1986).
Table 2. Composition (% by weight) of different
grades of n-hexanea
Research Pure Technical
grade grade grade
n-Hexane 99.98 99.5 95-97.7
2-Methylpentane trace trace trace
3-Methylpentane 0.02 0.1 0.2
Methylcyclopentane trace 0.4 2.1
a From: Mellan (1977).
Pure n-hexane contains approximately 0.0005% of non-volatile
material (Mellan, 1977), whereas commercial hexane may contain up
to 0.04% (Patty & Yant, 1929; Vicedo et al., 1985). In commercial
hexane, a number of phthalate esters (including dimethyl, diethyl,
di- n-butyl, di-isobutyl, dihexyl, and diethylhexyl), adipate
esters (dibutyl and dioctyl), and organophosphorus compounds (e.g.,
triphenyl phosphate) have been identified and total about 0.3% of
the distillation residue (Vicedo et al., 1985).
Commercial hexane (containing about 30% n-hexane) has a
slightly disagreeable odour, perceptible at 282 mg/m3 (80 ppm)
(intermittent exposure) or 528 mg/m3 (150 ppm) (continuous
exposure) (Patty & Yant, 1929). An odour threshold of 211 mg/m3
(60 ppm) for hexane (purity not stated) has also been reported
(Laffort & Dravnieks, 1973).

Normal hexane (n-hexane) is both an anthropogenic and naturally occurring chemical. n-Hexane is a minor constituent of crude oil and natural gas. Its inclusion in a variety of petroleum products is a consequence of refining operations that separate hydrocarbons within specific ranges of boiling points for such uses as heating oils or automotive fuels. It may also be a metabolic byproduct from certain types of fungi (Ahearn et al.1996). Such sources of natural releases are discussed in Chapter 5. In commercial products prepared from the distillation of petroleum, n-hexane has many uses as a special-purpose solvent
and oil extractant. In a highly purified form, n-hexane is used in chemical laboratories as an extractant for a wide range of hydrocarbons and nonpolar organic compounds.
Virtually all n-hexane is obtained from petroleum mixtures through controlled fractional distillation and other refinery-based processes (Speight 1991). n-Hexane can also be synthesized from sugar cane wastes
using special catalysts (SUCRON 1996). This type of synthesis is relatively new and the volume produced is still very limited. The presence of many types of hydrocarbon impurities in many commercial grades of n-hexane, combined with the intentional denaturing of n-hexane preparations to discourage substance abuse, make it difficult to establish odor thresholds for many products containing n-hexane.

Hexane in Solvent extraction method. Hexane in its pure form is a colorless liquid , and its boiling point is between 50℃ – 70℃ all of which work in favor for oil extraction. To begin the process of solvent extraction, oil seeds (soybean, rapeseed etc.) are removed of impurities and dried to reduce moisture content.
Hexane is the solvent that is widely utilized in the process of herbal medicine and bioactive components production and oil industry. Hexane is one of the most commonly used solvents not only in the edible oil industry but also in the process of herbal medicine and bioactive components production.
Edible oils and fats can be produced either by solvent or mechanical extraction of oilseeds. Hexane is one of the most commonly used solvents in the edible oil industry.
Is soybean oil hexane free?
Whole soybeans (edamame) are always a hexane-free and healthy option. Expeller-pressing and cold-pressing are physical methods to extract oils that do not involve solvents, so soy and other vegetable oils produced in this manner are also hexane-free.
Is hexane toxic to humans?
Hexane has a long record of use without as much irritation of human skin or the immediate or severe toxicity of many competitive solvents. It does not mix with water, allowing fairly simple processes to keep it in the system while water passes through the extraction process as moisture in the seed, meal, oil or air.

USE
n-Hexane is used mainly as an edible-oil extractant for a variety of seed crops such as soybeans, cottonseed, rape seed (canola), flax (linseed), mustard seed, peanuts, safflower seed, and corn germ, which are then processed into foods for humans or livestock. While other petroleum-derived solvents (e.g., pentane) or other organic solvents (e.g.,
chloroform, methanol, ethanol, or ammonia-alcohol mixtures) are currently being studied or are used for certain processes, n-hexane has been widely used since the early part of this century, especially with
soybeans, cottonseed, and linseed (Conkerton et al.1995). Part of n-hexane’s appeal relates to aesthetic properties such as preserving the colors of the original plant materials. Different extractant mixtures can also have significant effects on the levels of materials that can cause bitter tastes (e.g., tannins) and on the degree to which certain flatulence-causing sugars are removed. While other solvents could be used in the initial oil extraction phases, several decades of experience in combining the oil-extraction steps with other procedures to preserve desirable colors and eliminate unwanted tastes or other undesirable food properties have worked to maintain a heavy reliance on n-hexane for edible-oil extraction (Lawson 1995). In the
1970s it was estimated that soybean oil extraction alone accounted for approximately 30% of all uses of n-hexane in the United States (HSDB 1996).

n-Hexane has other major uses as a special-purpose solvent and cleaning agent (degreaser) in such industries as textile manufacture, shoe and leather making, and furniture manufacturing (Jorgensen and Chor 1981). It is used in the printing industry as a cleaner and as a component of some inks (EPA 1996c; Wadden et al.1995). Facilities that use rotogravure printers (facilities that produce catalogues, magazines, “glossy” newspaper inserts, or telephone directories) or similar rotogravure or flexographic technologies (for labels, gift wrap, metal foils, flexible packaging materials, and some floor coverings) also use n-hexane (EPA 1996c). While not used in most glues or epoxy cements (Rastogi 1993), n-hexane is the solvent used
in “rubber” cement (also known as gum adhesive) widely used in schools and libraries and by artists (McCann 1992). Various glues, adhesives, and leather-dressing preparations, especially those used in assembling shoes, may contain n-hexane (Cardona et al.1993; Periago et al.1993; Takeuchi et al.1993).
In bookbinding and leather working, n-hexane, often mixed with other hydrocarbon solvents, is used as a carrier for cedar oil, beeswax, or lanolin dressings (Jorgensen and Chor 1981; Roberts and Etherington 1996). n-Hexane is used in some typeover correction (“white-out”) fluids (Ong et al.1993). It has been used in many types of non-mercury thermometers, especially for thermometers used in low temperature ranges (EPA 19948). It has been used as a denaturing agent in some alcohol preparations (HSDB 1996).
New roofing materials using rubber or plastic films and membranes held together by adhesives, sealants, or hardening agents may contain n-hexane (Herbert et al.1995). It may be used as a carrier or aerosol (propellant) agent in some perfumes (Bouhamra 1995; Jorgensen and Chor 1981). It is used in the pharmaceutical industry to help shape pills and tablets, which are then dried to vent off the n-hexane before packaging (Jorgensen and Chor 1981). In the petrochemical industry, lighter alkane fractions including n-hexane may be used as feedstocks in the manufacture of polyethylene or polypropylene (Jorgensen and Chor 1981). In canning operations, the ends of tin cans are held in place with adhesives that commonly contain n-hexane (Bachmann et al.1993). The balls used in several sports (e.g., baseball) have cores wrapped with strings or yarns, which are often held in place with adhesives containing n-hexane (Huang et al.1991). In the manufacture of truck and automobile tires, n-hexane is a solvent in mixtures (called “thinners”) used to adjust the viscosity of the rubber while it is being polymerized and formed into tires (Jorgensen and Chor 1981; Van Ert et al.1980). n-Hexane is apparently in the adhesives for certain types
of tapes, bandages, and dressings used in hospitals (Jorgensen and Chor 198I). Adhesives, cleaners, or lacquers containing n-hexane are also used to prepare the veneers used in making many types of furniture or ornamental boxes (Graham et al.1995).
Pure n-hexane is widely used in laboratories as an extractant for nonpolar compounds and in calibrating instruments for analyses of volatile organic compounds (VOC) or total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) (Kanatharana et al.1993). Since such analyses may require very high levels of purity, laboratories sometimes carry out their own fractional distillation or other pretreatment-purification procedures to remove petroleum hydrocarbon impurities found in commercially available grades of n-hexane
(Kanatharana et al.1993). Request a quote or for more information about testing for n-hexane, please email us at: info@junyuanpetroleumgroup.com.
Finally, n-hexane may be a component of many types of commercial preparations or in mixtures produced in small batches on-site such as paint thinners, general-purpose solvents, degreasing agents, or cleaners.
For instance, until the 1970s naphtha, a mixture with a high n-hexane content, was widely used as a dry cleaning agent. Since the early 1900s construction workers, metal workers, janitors, furniture workers, motor-vehicle mechanics, and print-shop workers have used these general-purpose mixtures. Such mixtures have also been used extensively for home repair and hobby projects. These mixtures have wide variations in their compositions but often contain up to 20% n-hexane even when the main components are other petroleum alkane fractions (e.g., kerosene), aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g., toluene), chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents, or other organic liquids (Farmer 1996; Veulemans et al.1987).

A solvent is a substance that dissolves a solute, resulting in a solution. A solvent is usually a liquid but can also be a solid, a gas, or a supercritical fluid. The quantity of solute that can dissolve in a specific volume of solvent varies with temperature. Major uses of solvents are in paints, paint removers, inks, dry cleaning. Specific uses for organic solvents are in dry cleaning, as paint thinners, as nail polish removers and glue solvents, in spot removers, in detergents and in perfumes. Water is a solvent for polar molecules and the most common solvent used by living things; all the ions and proteins in a cell are dissolved in water within the cell. Solvents find various applications in chemical, pharmaceutical, oil, and gas industries, including in chemical syntheses and purification processes.

Comparison Chart

Physical Properties of Solvents

Solvent Chart

Solvent Miscibility Rules Chat