White Spirit Distillation

White spirit, widely known as mineral spirits or paint thinner, is a clear solvent at the centre of countless industrial and household tasks. From thinning oil-based paints and degreasing metal surfaces to formulating printing inks and adhesives, its value rests on how carefully it is refined. White spirit distillation turns a mixed petroleum-derived feedstock into a controlled-cuts solvent with predictable evaporation, colour and odour.

Feedstock Selection and Distillation

Production starts with a hydrocarbon feedstock drawn from petroleum refining, a blend of paraffinic, naphthenic and aromatic components. The feedstock is heated and fed into a distillation column, where different hydrocarbons condense at different heights according to their boiling points. The white spirit fraction is collected as a middle distillate cut, isolated cleanly from lighter and heavier streams.

Hydrofinishing and Purification

The distilled cut still carries sulphur, nitrogen and unsaturated compounds that would dull its quality. Hydrofinishing treats the fraction with hydrogen over a catalyst, converting those impurities into removable forms and yielding a solvent with improved colour, stability and low odour. Where extra purity is required, a further solvent-extraction step can strip out the remaining unwanted species.

Blending and Quality Control

Refined white spirit is often blended with co-solvents or additives to tune evaporation rate, solvency strength and flash point for the intended end use. Every batch is then checked through chemical analysis and application-based performance testing to confirm it meets specification. A well-run white spirit distillation line pairs disciplined process control with continuous quality verification.

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Turn feedstock into a dependable solvent line

Careful white spirit distillation is what separates a consistent, saleable solvent from an off-spec batch.

Klean Industries engineers and delivers distillation plants with the process control needed for reliable output.

Considering a white spirit distillation project?

Contact Klean Industries about white spirit distillation » GO.