Ikarus Petroleum Industries

WHITE SPIRIT
Definition, Types, Production, Uses

2012

What is White Spirit? White spirit is a clear colorless solvent containing a mixture of C7 to C12 aliphatic & alicyclic hydrocarbons along with C7 to C12 aromatic hydrocarbons (15%-20% by wt) with a boiling range of 130-220C. There are different types of white spirit. The ordinary and most widely used quality of white spirit contains 80-85% (by weight) aliphatic and alicyclic alkanes and 15-20% (by weight) aromatic hydrocarbons. Types of White Spirit

WHITE SPIRIT
Based on production process Based on production process

TYPE-1
Naphtha (petroleum), hydrodesulfurized heavy.

TYPE-2
Naphtha (petroleum), solvent-refined heavy

TYPE-3
Naphtha (petroleum), hydrotreated heavy

A complex combination of hydrocarbons obtained from a catalytic hydrodesulphurization process. It consists of hydrocarbons having carbon numbers predominantly in the 7-12 range

A complex combination of hydrocarbons obtained as the raffinate from a solvent extraction process. It consists predominantly of aliphatic hydrocarbons having carbon numbers predominantly in the 7-12 range

A complex combination of hydrocarbons obtained by treating a petroleum fraction with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst.It consists of hydrocarbons having carbon numbers predominantly in the 6-13 range

For each type, there exist three technical grades (Based on flash point)

Low flash white spirit

Flash point: 21-30oC Boiling point: 130-144oC

Regular flash white spirit

Flash point: 31-54oC Boiling point: 145-174oC

High flash white spirit

Flash point: >55oC Boiling point: 175-200oC

Manufacturing process

White spirit type 1 (the traditional white spirit) with a content of up to 25% of aromatics is produced from straight-run naphtha and straight-run kerosene, which are refinery process streams obtained from the distillation of crude oil. These fractions are subjected to fractional distillation into the appropriate boiling ranges of white spirit (130-220C). A hydrodesulfurization process (removal of sulfur) is carried out either before or after the fractional distillation. White spirit type 2 is produced by solvent extraction of the kerosene and naphtha fractions followed by a fractional distillation.The extraction process for removal of the aromatic hydrocarbons can be undertaken with sulfolane, sulfur dioxide, or Nmethylpyrollidone.

To obtain white spirit type 3, the ordinary type 1 white spirit is subjected to hydrogenation (treatment with hydrogen over a catalyst). The hydrogenation converts the aromatics into saturated alicyclic hydrocarbons. The hydrogenation process may be performed before the fractional distillation Type 1 2 3 Description Hydrodesulfurized Solvent extracted Hydrogenated (hydrotreated) Aromatics (by wt%) < 25 <5 <1 Benzene (by wt%) < 0.1 < 0.02 < 0.002

Uses Used as a paint thinner and mild solvent In industry, it is used for cleaning and degreasing machine tools and parts In screen printing (also referred to as silk-screening), white spirit is often used to clean and unclog screens after printing with oil-based textile and plastisol inks. Mineral spirits are often used inside liquid-filled compasses and gauges. Mineral spirits are also used for re-gripping golf clubs. After the old grip is removed, the mineral spirits are poured into the new grip and shaken. After, the mineral spirits are poured on the new underlying tape and the new grip is slid on. After an hour of drying out, the new grip and club are ready to use.

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