Solvents

Solvents are substances that dissolve a solute like liquid, gas or solid. A solvent itself can be made of liquid but can also be a gas or solid. The strength of solvent and the quantity which it can solute varies with temperature (with a minimum boiling point of 100 °C). Common solvents include tetrachloroethylene, toluene, turpentine, acetone, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, hexane, petrol ether, citrus terpenes and ethanol. Solvents are commonly used in dry-cleaning, paint thinners, nail polish removers, glue solvents, spot removes, perfumes and detergents. Because of their wide range of applications, they are used in various industries including oil, gas, chemical, pharmaceutical, and purification processes.