Paraffin oil is generally characterized by imaginary components. Knowing the distillation data (generally ASTM D 1 160) and density of paraffin oil, we can simulate paraffin oil. After the virtual component is generated, it is used as a pure component. Virtual components usually contain some properties, such as average boiling point NBP, liquid phase density, molecular weight, critical temperature and critical density. For example, a virtual component named "NBP400" is equivalent to a pure component, with a boiling point of about 400℃, a density of 930kg/m3 and a molecular weight of 385.

In general simulation, paraffin oil will generate a series of virtual components with boiling points from low to high, and the mixture of these components represents paraffin oil. Then physical or chemical changes can be simulated, such as distillation, reaction, etc.