A fractional distillation product that contains a highly restricted range of hydrocarbon molecules. Because the boiling point range is tightly controlled, the resulting liquid has highly specific physical properties, such as precise flash points and freezing points. Commercial jet fuels like Jet A are typical examples of narrow-cut kerosene fractions.
Heard on the job
We need a narrow-cut solvent for this chemical process so it evaporates at exactly 140 degrees.
Do not mix it up with
- Wide-cut: Narrow-cut has a tight boiling range for specific properties, while wide-cut spans a broader temperature range to maximize yield.
Related terms
Cut
A specific fraction of hydrocarbons separated during the distillation of crude oil.
Wide-cut
Describing a petroleum fuel blend that contains hydrocarbons spanning a broad range of boiling points.
Distillation
The primary refinery process that separates crude oil into different hydrocarbon groups by boiling point.