Kerosene
Combustible hydrocarbon liquid derived from petroleum, used as fuel.
Kerosene, also known as paraffin, is a combustible hydrocarbon liquid derived from petroleum. Its name comes from the Greek word for wax and was trademarked in 1854 by Abraham Gesner, a Nova Scotian geologist and inventor, before becoming a generic term. It is sometimes spelled kerosine in technical contexts. Kerosene is widely used as jet fuel for aircraft engines and, in a highly refined form called RP-1, for some rocket engines. It also serves as a cooking and lighting fuel, and for fire toys like poi. In parts of Asia, it fuels small outboard motors or motorcycles. Global consumption as of July 2023 was equivalent to about 5.5 million barrels per day. The term kerosene is common in countries such as the United States, Canada, India, and Australia, while paraffin is used in the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Norway. In much of Asia and the Southeastern United States, it is called lamp oil, and in Appalachia, coal oil. To prevent confusion with gasoline, some jurisdictions require kerosene containers to be colored blue, as in Pennsylvania. The World Health Organization considers kerosene a polluting fuel due to harmful particulate matter in its smoke. Kerosene is a low-viscosity, clear liquid obtained from fractional distillation of petroleum between specific temperature ranges, with a density of 0.78–0.81 g/cm³. It is miscible with petroleum solvents but not water. Its hydrocarbon molecules typically contain 6 to 20 carbon atoms, mostly 9 to 16. Major components are branched and straight-chain alkanes and naphthenes, usually at least 70% by volume, with aromatics not exceeding 25% and olefins under 5%. Its lower heating value is 43.1 MJ/kg. ASTM International recognizes two grades: 1-K (less than 0.04% sulfur) and 2-K (0.3% sulfur). The UK defines BS 2869 Class C1 for lanterns and stoves and Class C2 for domestic heating. The flash point of kerosene ranges between 37°C and 65°C, with an autoignition temperature of 220°C. Commercial aviation fuel freezes at -47°C, while grade 1-K freezes around -40°C. The distillation of kerosene was first described in the ninth century by Persian scholar Rāzi in his Book of Secrets, using an alembic and methods involving clay or ammonium chloride. Kerosene was also produced from oil shale and bitumen. During the Chinese Ming Dynasty, petroleum was extracted and purified into lamp fuel, though the Chinese had used petro
- field
- Fuel chemistry and petroleum refining
- key_properties
- Low-viscosity, clear liquid; flash point 37–65 °C; freezing point −40 to −47 °C; heat of combustion 43.1–46.2 MJ/kg
Lore & Background
Kerosene is a low-viscosity, clear liquid composed of hydrocarbon molecules, typically containing between 6 and 20 carbon atoms per molecule, with the majority having 9 to 16 carbon atoms. It is derived from the fractional distillation of petroleum and has a density of 0.78–0.81 g/cm³. The liquid is miscible with petroleum solvents but not with water. Its major components are branched- and straight-chain alkanes and naphthenes, which normally account for at least 70% of the volume; aromatic hydrocarbons such as alkylbenzenes and alkylnaphthalenes do not usually exceed 25% by volume, and olefins are typically less than 5%. Kerosene remains liquid around room temperature, with a flash point between 37°C and 65°C and an autoignition temperature of 220°C. The freezing point varies by grade: commercial aviation fuel is standardized at −47°C, while Grade 1-K kerosene freezes around −40°C. The heat of combustion is similar to diesel fuel, with a lower heating value of 43.1 MJ/kg. Two ASTM grades exist: 1-K (less than 0.04% sulfur) and 2-K (0.3% sulfur), with 1-K preferred for indoor use due to cleaner burning. In the UK, BS 2869 Class C1 is the lightest grade for lanterns and camping stoves, while Class C2 is a heavier distillate for domestic heating. Premium kerosene is often dyed purple and sold in small containers, whereas standard kerosene is typically undyed and dispensed in bulk. The process of distilling crude oil into kerosene was first written about in the ninth century by the Persian scholar Rāzi (Rhazes) in his Kitab al-Asrar, describing two methods using an alembic.
Reader's Guide
Its production methods, pioneered by figures like Gesner and Young, marked a transition from whale oil to petroleum-based lighting. The fuel is regulated in some jurisdictions to prevent confusion with gasoline, such as Pennsylvania requiring blue containers for kerosene. The World Health Organization considers kerosene a polluting fuel due to harmful particulate matter in its smoke. Kerosene remains essential for cooking, lighting, and small engines in parts of Asia, while its highly refined form RP-1 powers some rocket engines.
Did You Know?
- Kerosene's name derives from the Greek κηρός (kērós) meaning 'wax'.
- The flash point of kerosene is between 37 °C and 65 °C.
- In the United States, Pennsylvania requires portable containers for kerosene to be colored blue.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kerosene?
Kerosene (also called paraffin) is a low-viscosity, clear hydrocarbon liquid that is extracted and refined from crude petroleum. It is best known as a combustible fuel used across a range of applications.
What are Kerosene's key physical properties?
It has a flash point between 37 and 65 °C, a freezing point in the range of −40 to −47 °C, and a heat of combustion of roughly 43.1 to 46.2 MJ per kilogram. These figures make it a practical mid-range fuel for heating and propulsion.
What is Kerosene's role in the transportation sector?
Kerosene serves as a combustion fuel, most notably as the base for jet fuel that powers aircraft. Its energy density and relatively low viscosity make it well suited for high-temperature, high-altitude engines.
Where does Kerosene come from in the refining process?
It is a product of petroleum refining, separated from crude oil during distillation. The field it belongs to is fuel chemistry and petroleum refining, where it is one of several hydrocarbon fractions obtained.
Why is Kerosene considered important in fuel chemistry?
Its balanced combination of a moderate flash point, low freezing point, and high heat of combustion makes it versatile for both stationary heating and mobile propulsion. That versatility keeps it a staple product in the petroleum refining industry.
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