Here’s your text about the applications and properties of light hydrocarbons in a structured manner:

Some Applications of Light Hydrocarbons:

• Used as fuel in spark ignition internal combustion engines of the cross-type (four-stroke).
• Serve as a fuel, extractor, or diluent for essential oils, a solvent for rubber adhesives, a cleaner for precision instruments, and a polishing agent for synthetic leather.

A different type of light hydrocarbons consists of a mixture of 9 to 12 carbon paraffinic and aromatic hydrocarbons, with a distillation range of 200-142°C. This mixture is used as a solvent or more generally as a paint thinner.

These solvents are transparent liquids with a mild odor, chemically stable, and do not cause corrosion. They are used as extraction solvents, cleaning agents, degreasers, and solvents for aerosols, paints, lacquers, and asphalt products.

Main and Most Important Application of Light Hydrocarbons:

The most significant and primary application of 9-12 carbon light hydrocarbons is in paints and lacquers, where they are among the most common solvents in the paint industry. As solvents in paint thinners and shellac lacquers, 60% of the total consumption of this substance in Europe is related to paints, varnishes, and nail polish. This substance has diverse applications and is used as a solvent for paint dryers, fabric printing, grease removal from metal surfaces, furniture waxes, floor coatings, and shoe wax. It is also utilized in dry cleaning and plays a role in diamond cutting machines, earning the name DIAMOND TURNING.

Characteristics of Light Hydrocarbons:

1. Low Molecular Weight: Due to the fewer carbon atoms, these compounds have lower molecular weights compared to heavier hydrocarbons.
2. Low Boiling Point: Light hydrocarbons typically boil at lower temperatures, and some, like methane and ethane, are gases at room temperature.
3. High Volatility: Due to their low molecular weight and boiling point, these compounds evaporate quickly and have a greater tendency to exist in the gas phase.
4. Insolubility in Water: Similar to heavier hydrocarbons, light hydrocarbons are generally insoluble in water due to their non-polar nature.

Applications of Light Hydrocarbons

1. Fuels: Light hydrocarbons like methane and propane are used as fuels for domestic (such as city gas), industrial, and commercial purposes. Propane and butane are used as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for vehicles, as well as for camping and heating homes.
2. Energy Production: Methane, as natural gas, is used in power plants to generate electricity. It is also a primary fuel for powering homes and industries.
3. Petrochemical Feedstocks: Ethane, propane, and butane serve as raw materials in the production of ethylene, propylene, and other petrochemical compounds, which are subsequently used in the manufacturing of plastics, chemicals, and synthetic fibers.
4. Coolants: Some light hydrocarbons, such as isobutane, are used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems as coolants.
5. Desulfurization: Certain light hydrocarbons are used in refinery processes for desulfurization of fuels.

Light hydrocarbons are widely derived from sources like natural gas and crude oil and are extensively used in various industries due to their physical and chemical properties.

Simplest Type of Hydrocarbon

The simplest type of hydrocarbon is called alkane, in which each carbon atom is bonded with two hydrogen atoms, except for the carbon atoms at the ends of the chain. These terminal carbons are bonded to three hydrogen atoms, achieving stability with four single bonds.

The simplest alkane is methane, which is naturally found in oil and gas. These hydrocarbons are commonly used as chemical solvents. They are also present in plants and trees, and their derivatives are the main components of fossil fuels, generating energy when burned in the presence of oxygen. These materials are also used in oils, greases, solvents, and even cosmetic and plastic products.

Production Methods of Light Hydrocarbons

Light hydrocarbons can be separated from mixtures of various hydrocarbons through distillation. When hydrocarbons are heated, those with a lower boiling point vaporize first and are separated from the mixture. In refineries, components of crude oil are separated based on their boiling points.

By heating crude oil in a distillation column, lighter hydrocarbons vaporize and rise to the upper parts of the column. After condensation, they are directed into the desired tanks.

Light hydrocarbons are produced from heavier petroleum compounds using chemical processes with catalysts and high temperatures, which can increase the overall production cost of lighter products.

Light Hydrocarbon Compounds

Many chemical derivatives and consumed fuels are derived from crude oil. These substances may contain a higher percentage of a specific product with higher viscosity and density, and they vary in different oil field outputs.

Light hydrocarbons are produced from combustible materials like light oil cuts or gas liquids and butyl acetate, with an octane rating close to that of gasoline. During refinery processing, these materials are divided into different subgroups containing hydrocarbons in the C5 to C12 range, including alkanes, alkenes, and cycloalkanes with octane, commonly known as light hydrocarbons or gasoline.