paraffinic

Paraffinic is an adjective used in chemistry and the petroleum industry to describe hydrocarbons and petroleum fractions in which saturated alkanes predominate. In modern terminology, paraffinic hydrocarbons are saturated hydrocarbons with single bonds (alkanes), as distinct from cycloalkanes (naphthenes) and aromatic hydrocarbons. Petroleum streams and refined products are commonly described by their paraffinic, naphthenic, and aromatic content; a higher paraffinic content generally indicates a greater proportion of saturated hydrocarbons, which can influence properties such as pour point, viscosity, and chemical stability.

Paraffinic materials occur in various forms, including paraffin waxes and paraffinic oils. Paraffin waxes, derived from petroleum streams, are used in candles, cosmetics, packaging, and coatings. Paraffinic mineral oils serve as lubricants, hydraulic fluids, and heat-transfer fluids due to their chemical inertness, wide operating temperature range, and relatively clean combustion characteristics. Solvents labeled as paraffinic are primarily alkanes and are used in cleaning, extraction, and industrial processes. In fuels, paraffinic components affect performance characteristics such as cetane number and cold-flow behavior.

In refining and processing, the paraffinic content of a hydrocarbon stream is influenced by distillation and upgrading steps, including hydrocracking and hydrotreating, which adjust the balance between saturated and unsaturated or aromatic components. The term paraffinic is commonly encountered in product specifications for base oils, waxes, and solvents, and serves to distinguish these from naphthenic- or aromatic-rich fractions. Safety and environmental considerations follow standard hydrocarbon handling practices, including flammability precautions and appropriate disposal of waste streams.