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Home , Ethyl acetate, Methyl isobutyl ketone

1 4 3 5 : Simply Essential Solvents: Simply Essential 2 Solvents: Simply Essential Solvents: Simply Essential Solvents: Simply Essential

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WHY SO MANY SOLVENTS? THE OXYGENATED AND 1. FAMILY: ALCOHOLS 3. FAMILY: KETONES 4. FAMILY: 6. FAMILY: GLYCOL 8. FAMILY: ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS 10. FAMILY: ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS 12. FAMILY: PARAFFINS 14. FAMILY: ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS HYDROCARBON SOLVENTS For many products to perform effectively, is used by manufacturers as the Ketones such as , MEK (Methyl ethyl ketone) and Ethyl is used in Glycol ethers are highly effective Aliphatic hydrocarbons (typically dearomatised hydrocarbons) are High boiling point hydrocarbon Pentanes are used to make Dearomatised aliphatic hydrocarbons with specific

FAMILY TREE I n t r o d u c i solvents are simply essential. Every day, we of choice because of its low odour. The low boiling point MIBK () are used in carbon fibre and is especially valued for its as an active component of used in the preservation of timber. The high water resistance and low solvents are used in the plastic foams for insulation boiling point ranges are used in the production of tyres. benefit from the diverse range of available The chemical classification of solvents is based on of ethanol means that the solvent evaporates quickly and composites to make skis. fruity odour and fast-drying heavy-duty glass, floor and surface tension of the solvent enables it to penetrate the wood. aluminium rolling process to purposes in household goods The solvent softens and cleans each rubber layer solvents and their unique properties. their chemical structure. Hydrocarbon solvents are does not remain on the skin. properties. It is also used in nail other hard surface cleaning make aluminium foil. Acting as such as refrigerators and before the next one is applied and its adhesive O x y g e n a t d S o l v y d r o c a b n S l v e t s O x y g e n a t d S o l v s

Furthermore, the solvents industry is highly molecules containing only hydrogen and carbon The carbon fibres are layered with epoxy resins and the polish removal fluids and its high formulations. These solvents a lubricant, the solvent protects H freezers. The low boiling point qualities help to bind together the various H y d r o c a b n S l v e t s committed to the principles of product atoms. Oxygenated solvents contain hydrogen, ketone’s high solvency power softens the resin to apply solvency power means that the have good water compatibility, the metal from oxidation, of pentanes is the important components of the tyre for increased safety and 1 stewardship and the health and safety of carbon and atoms. it easily and evenly between the layers. The solvent’s low polish can be removed easily high solvency for greases and oils helps eliminate metal dusts/ property. Pentane is mixed improved performance. boiling point allows it to evaporate quickly to enable the downstream users. Most solvents are manufactured from crude oil. from the nail. and good biodegradability. chips and dissipates the heat into liquid plastic, which is layers to bind easily and form a strong, durable product. from the process. then heated with steam; Solvents dissolve other substances. Sugar The manufacturing process is highly integrated into the pentane vapourises inside dissolves in because water is a solvent. the operation of an oil refinery or petrochemical the plastic and expands to form Water is easily available and is simple and safe manufacturing site. A limited number of solvents a honeycomb-like plastic foam to handle, so why are there so many industrially are manufactured using other raw materials 15. FAMILY: ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS THE SOLVENTS The low thermal conductivity important solvents? (natural gas, coal or biomass). of the foam helps it to act as Low volatility dearomatised aliphatic hydrocarbons are Most hydrocarbon solvents are separated in the FAMILY The easy answer is that not everything a highly effective insulator. used in the oilfield as base fluids in drilling mud refinery by and then further treated dissolves in water. However, the choice formulations for lubricating the drilling process and purified. Some are synthesised from olefins. of a solvent is based not only on whether in oil wells. The solvents have excellent Hydrocarbon solvents are classified into three sub- Welcome to something dissolves or not (solvency), but also lubricating properties, are inert towards most on evaporation rate, boiling point, , groups based on the type of “carbon skeleton” of 2. FAMILY: ALCOHOLS 7. FAMILY: GLYCOL ESTERS type of rock formations, and have low toxicity the world of solvents their molecules, giving us the aliphatic, aromatic 5. FAMILY: ESTERS 11. FAMILY: AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS surface tension and many other factors that and high biodegradability. affect the thousands of industrial processes and paraffinic solvents families. is used as a windscreen de-icing and is used to purify penicillin by keeping impurities Glycol ether esters are added to spray to prevent them from Toluene is used as the ink solvent in a specialised type of magazine that need solvents. Oxygenated solvents are produced through cleaning solvent because it stays in liquid form well in solution whilst the penicillin is selectively removed from drying before they hit their target. The slow evaporation of this 9. FAMILY: ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS printing, “publication rotogravure”, because it evaporates quickly enough With so many properties to consider and chemical reactions from olefins (derived from oil below freezing point and therefore helps to remove the the reaction mixture by . Further purification of the powerful group of solvents means that cars, for example, can be to prevent smudging and is easily recycled. The process of rotogravure is different materials to be dissolved, access to a or natural gas), giving us the following sub-groups ice. It removes stains that appear on the windscreen and penicillin is achieved through the method of crystallisation. re-painted effectively. Commercial hexanes are used to natural oil from seeds due capable of producing printed material of the highest quality. wide range of solvents is crucial. based on what is called “chemical functionality”: is also used in the home in window cleaning products. to its optimum solvency power (like alcohols, ketones, esters, ethers, glycol ethers and dissolves like). Hexane is a light In many manufacturing processes, demands 13. FAMILY: PARAFFINS 16. FAMILY: ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS glycol ether esters. solvent that is easily removed are complex because the properties required from the edible oil and is also may change as the process is carried out. This brochure gives only a few examples of how Isoparaffins are used to dry- Aliphatic hydrocarbons are used to extract metals such as copper, recycled during the process. For example, to achieve a surface with a good solvents can be used to benefit consumers; in clean clothes. These solvents nickel, cobalt and zinc from ore. They provide gloss finish, it may be necessary initially for the reality, there are thousands of other applications. are valued for their low excellent and allow a rapid solvent to evaporate quickly but at a later stage odour, favourable health and reaction of the metal to remove it from evaporate much more slowly. This and many 1. The group of chlorinated solvents manufactured by reaching environmental profile, safe the ore, then a rapid separation of hydrocarbons with chlorine are not discussed in this document. handling characteristics and other tailored performances can be achieved For information on chlorinated solvents, contact the European the solvent-metal mix. by blending together different solvents from Chlorinated Solvents Association at www.eurochlor.org or the excellent cleaning efficiency. the solvent family tree. Halogenated Solvents industry Alliance (HSIA) at www.hsia.org

THE SOLVENTS FAMILY

“The Solvents Family” is a result of cooperation between the European Solvents Industry Group (ESIG) and the Solvents Industry Association (SIA).

For further information on solvents in Europe, please visit www.esig.org or contact: EUROPEAN SOLVENTS INDUSTRY GROUP ALCOHOLS ETHERS ESTERS KETONES GLYCOL ETHERS GLYCOL ETHER ESTERS AROMATICS ALIPHATICS PARAFFINIC Tel: +32 2 436 94 88 Email: [email protected] Isopropanol Acetone Methoxy propanol Methoxy Toluene White spirit n-Paraffins Butanol MEK (Methyl ethyl ketone) Butyl glycol Butyl glycol acetate Xylene Dearomatised hydrocarbons Isoparaffins For further information on solvents in the United Kingdom, Ethanol Butyl acetate MIBK (Methyl isobutyl ketone) C9-C10 aromatic Light fractions (e.g. Hexane) please visit www.solvents.org.uk or contact: HYDROCARBON SOLVENTS SOLVENTS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OXYGENATED SOLVENTS 10 Church Road Cheadle Hulme Cheshire SK8 7JU Tel: +44 (0)7758 118675 Propylene oxide oxide Email: [email protected]

Ethylene Propylene Propylene /Butene Ethylene Hydrocarbon fractions Synthesis

Naphtha Extraction

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