Fundamental Advantages as Chemical Raw Materials: Aliphatic hydrocarbons are the core basic raw materials for petrochemicals. Low-carbon olefins such as ethylene and propylene are abundant and inexpensive. They can be directly synthesized into bulk synthetic materials such as polyethylene and polypropylene through addition and polymerization reactions, forming the cornerstone of the modern plastics industry.
Energy Utilization Advantages: The combustion of aliphatic hydrocarbons releases a large amount of heat energy. At room temperature, different carbon numbers correspond to various gaseous and liquid states, making them suitable for different energy scenarios such as fuel gas and fuel oil. They are convenient to store and transport, and are currently the most widely used type of fossil fuel.
Solvent Application Advantages: Aliphatic hydrocarbon solvents are insoluble in water, can dissolve most organic substances, are chemically stable, easily volatile, and leave little residue. Compared to polar solvents, they are milder and have irreplaceable advantages in industrial cleaning, dry cleaning, paint dilution, and cleaning of precision electronic components.
Processability Advantages: The structure of aliphatic hydrocarbons can be flexibly adjusted through reactions such as cracking, dehydrogenation, and polymerization. High-carbon macromolecules can be synthesized from low-carbon small molecules, and small-molecule olefins can be obtained from the cracking of high-carbon heavy oil. Products with different carbon chain lengths can be prepared as needed, adapting to diverse industrial needs such as plasticizers, surfactants, and feed additives.