View source for Kerosene



==Overview==
'''Kerosene''', sometimes spelled '''kerosine''' in scientific and industrial usage,<ref>Webster's New World College Dictionary, ''kerosene''.</ref> is a [[flammable]] [[hydrocarbon]] [[liquid]]. The name is derived from [[Greek (language)|Greek]] "keros" (κηρός [[wax]]). 

It is commonly called '''paraffin oil''' or '''paraffin''' in the [[UK]] and [[South Africa]] (not to be confused with the waxy solid also called paraffin wax or just [[paraffin]]); the term ''kerosene'' is usual in much of the [[United States|U.S.]], [[Australia]], and [[New Zealand]].<ref>[[Oxford English Dictionary]], ''kerosene''.</ref>

Its [[heating value]], or [[heat of combustion]], is around 18,500 [[British thermal unit|Btu]]/[[Pound (mass)|lb]], or 43.1 [[megajoule|MJ]]/[[kilogram|kg]], making it similar to that of [[diesel]].  It is widely used to power [[jet engine|jet-engined]] aircraft, but is also commonly used as a heating fuel.

The [[Chemical Formula]] is [[Carbon|C]]<sub>14</sub>[[Hydrogen|H]]<sub>30</sub>.
 
== Distillation ==

Kerosene is a thin, clear liquid formed from hydrocarbons. Kerosene is obtained from the [[fractional distillation]] of [[petroleum]] between 150&nbsp;°[[Celsius|C]] and 275&nbsp;°C, resulting in a mixture of carbon chains containing 12 to 15 carbon atoms. 

Kerosene was first described by [[al-Razi]] (Rhazes) as a [[distillation]] of petroleum in 9th century [[Baghdad]]. In his ''Kitab al-Asrar'' (''Book of Secrets''), he described two methods for the production of kerosene. One method involved using [[clay]] as an [[absorbent]], while the other method involved using [[ammonium chloride]] (''sal ammoniac'').<ref>Zayn Bilkadi ([[University of California, Berkeley]]), "The Oil Weapons", ''[[Saudi Aramco World]]'', January-February 1995, p. 20-27.</ref> In [[1807]], Kerosene was refined from a naturally-occurring [[asphalt]]um called [[Albertite]] by Canadian geologist [[Abraham Gesner]], founding the modern petroleum industry in the process. Gesner went on to establish his Kerosene Gaslight Company to market kerosene around the world in 1850.  [[Scotland|Scottish]] chemist [[James Young]] built the first truly commercial oil-works in the world at [[Bathgate]] in 1851, using oil extracted from locally mined [[Torbanite]], shale and bituminous coal.
[[Poland|Polish]] chemist [[Ignacy Łukasiewicz]] discovered the means of refining kerosene from the less expensive [[seep]] [[petroleum|oil]] in [[1856]].
The widespread availability of cheaper kerosene was the principal factor in the precipitous decline in the [[whaling]] industry in the mid- to late 19th century, as the leading product of whaling was oil for lamps.

== Uses ==
[[Image:Kerosene_bottle.jpg|right|thumb|Kerosene]]
===Heating and lighting===
At one time the fuel was widely used in [[kerosene lamp]]s and lanterns. These were superseded by the electric light bulb and [[flashlight]]s powered by [[dry cell]] batteries.

Its use as a [[cooking]] fuel is mostly restricted to some [[portable stove]]s for [[Backpacking (wilderness)|backpacker]]s and to [[developing country|less developed countries]], where it is usually less refined and contains impurities and even debris.

As a heating fuel, it is often used in portable stoves, and is sold in some [[filling station]]s. It is sometimes used as a heat source during power failures.  The use of portable kerosene heaters is not recommended for closed indoor areas without a [[chimney]] due to the danger of buildup of [[carbon monoxide]] gas.

Kerosene is widely used in [[Japan]] as a home heating fuel for portable and installed kerosene heaters. In Japan, kerosene can be readily bought at any [[filling station]] or be delivered to homes.

In the [[United Kingdom]] and [[Ireland]] kerosene is often used as both a cooking and heating fuel in areas where there is a limited [[Natural gas|gas]] supply.<ref>[http://www.oftec.co.uk/publications/IS_biofuels.pdf OFTEC fact-sheet about kerosene]</ref>

The [[Amish]], who limit use of electric appliances for religious reasons, rely on kerosene for lighting and often purchase kerosene-powered versions of appliances such as [[refrigerators]].

More ubiquitous in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, [[kerosene heater|kerosene space heaters]] were often built into kitchen ranges and kept many farm and fishing families warm and dry through the winter. At one time citrus growers used [[smudge pot]]s fueled by kerosene to create a pall of thick smoke over a grove in an effort to prevent freezing temperatures from damaging crops. "Salamanders" were kerosene space heaters used on construction sites to dry out building materials and to warm workers. Before the days of blinking electrically lighted road barriers, highway construction zones were marked at night by kerosene fired pot-bellied torches. Most of these uses of kerosene created  thick black smoke because of the low temperature of combustion.

A notable exception, discovered in the early 19th century, is the use of a [[Gas mantle|mantle]] above the wick on a kerosene lamp. Looking like a delicate woven bag above the woven cotton wick, the mantle was a residue of mineral material ([[Thorium|thorium dioxide]]) which glowed white hot as it burned the volatile gases emanating from the blue flame at the base of the wick. These types of lamps are still in use today in areas of the world without electricity.

Kerosene is also used for fire performances such as poi and staff because of its low flash point, making the fire low risk, should the performer come in contact with the flame.

===Transportation===
Today, kerosene is mainly used in [[jet fuel|fuel]] for jet engines (more technically ''[[Avtur]]'', ''[[Jet-A]]'', ''[[Jet-A1]]'', ''[[Jet-B]]'', ''[[JP-4]]'', ''[[JP-5]]'', ''[[JP-7]]'' or ''[[JP-8]]'').  One form of the fuel known as [[RP-1]] is burned with [[liquid oxygen]] as rocket fuel. These fuel grade kerosenes meet specifications as to [[smoke point]]s and [[freeze point]]s.

In the early 20th century, kerosene was used as a cheap fuel for tractors.  The engine would start on gasoline, then switch over to kerosene once the engine warmed up.  A "heat valve" on the manifold would route the exhaust gases around the intake pipe, heating the kerosene to the point where it can be ignited by an electrical spark.

Kerosene is sometimes used as an additive in diesel fuel to prevent gelling or waxing in cold temperatures.

===Cooking===
In countries like India, kerosene is the main fuel used for cooking, especially by the poor. Kerosene stoves have replaced the traditional wood-based cooking appliances that are unhealthy and inefficient. The price of kerosene can be a major political issue; the Indian government subsidises the fuel to keep the price very low (around 15cents/litre as of Feb.2007).

===Other===
Kerosene has been used to treat pools of standing water to prevent [[mosquitoes]] from breeding, notably in the [[yellow fever]] outbreak of [[1905]] in [[New Orleans]].  It can also be used to remove [[lice]] from hair, but this practice is painful and potentially very dangerous. Also, this would wash out all natural oil & fats from the hair and scalp.

Since kerosene is chemically stable, it is used to store substances with [[redox]] tendencies within to prevent unwanted reactions, such as [[alkali metal]]s. 
Kerosene is also used in the packaging and storage of [[White phosphorus (weapon)|White Phosphorus]] to prevent immediate combustion on contact with oxygen.

Besides, kerosene can be used to store [[crystals]]. When a water-soluble crystal is left in air, [[dehydration]] may occur slowly. This makes the colour of the crystal become dull. Kerosene can therefore prevent the crystal contacting with air. 

It is used as a [[solvent]] and in conjunction with [[cutting oil]] as a thread cutting and reaming [[lubricant]].

Kerosene is often used in the entertainment industry, as a fuel for [[fire dancing]]. Kerosene is not usually used as a fuel for indoor fire-dancing as it produces an unpleasant odour which becomes, in sufficient concentration, poisonous. In general such use of fire indoors is not common. [[Methanol]] is often used instead, but it can be a more dangerous fuel because of its lower [[flash point]], and it also produces less "impressive" flames.

In [[Sri Lanka]], it is also used to help ignite firewood stoves, power electric generators, wash tar and grease from vehicles or hands, remove stains from clothes, and as a rust-loosener and creeping oil.{{Fact|date=September 2007}}

==See also==
*[[Tractor vaporising oil]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{wiktionary|kerosene}}
* [http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/definition/english/ke/kerosene.html Webster Online Dictionary Entry on Kerosene]
* [http://collections.ic.gc.ca/heirloom_series/volume4/136-139.htm Article on Gesner]
* [http://www.endtimesreport.com/kerosene_fuel_primer.html Kerosene Fuel Primer]
* [http://www.valero.com/docs/MSDS/HeatingOil/Kerosene%20-%20105.pdf Safety information: deadly if consumed]

[[Category:Alkanes]]
[[Category:Petroleum products]]
[[Category:Hydrocarbon solvents]]
[[Category:Fuels]]
[[Category:Aviation fuels]]
[[Category:Coolants]]

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