Katerina Swanson
Kerosene is sometimes used as an additive to diesel fuel, particularly in cold weather. Kerosene is a lighter diesel oil than #2 diesel fuel, and contains slightly less energy per gallon. It also has a lower lubricity and burns drier. Kerosene is also known as #1 diesel fuel oil, and some people consider it similar enough to #2 diesel fuel that they use it interchangeably. However, kerosene has a higher sulfur content than #2 diesel, and there are concerns about it burning at a higher temperature and damaging the engine.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Kerosene mixed with diesel fuel | Can be used to lower emissions as it ["burns cleaner" than diesel] |
| Kerosene as a fuel | Lighter viscosity value than diesel |
| Burns drier than diesel | |
| Contains less energy than diesel | |
| Contains lower levels of aromatic compounds than diesel | |
| Turns to acid if not used while fresh | |
| Can be more difficult to start in cool or cold weather | |
| Has higher sulfur content than diesel |
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What You'll Learn
Kerosene is sometimes added to diesel fuel in cold weather
In cold weather, kerosene can be useful for changing the cold-weather handling temperatures of diesel fuel. It has a lighter viscosity value, which allows it to burn at a higher temperature in an engine. By mixing in about ten percent kerosene, the cold filter plugging point of a diesel fuel blend can be lowered by approximately five degrees. This practice was more common when Ultra Low Sulfur Fuel was available, but it is no longer recommended by manufacturers such as Kubota, who advise using an anti-gel additive or switching to #1 diesel fuel instead.
Some people mix kerosene with diesel fuel to reduce emissions, as kerosene "burns cleaner" than #2 diesel. However, kerosene has a higher sulfur content than the 15 ppm specification for diesel fuels, which can be an issue for particulate matter (PM) traps in engines. Additionally, kerosene must be used fresh as it turns to acid over time, similar to spoiled food. It also requires more frequent cleaning of injectors compared to diesel and can be challenging to start in cool or cold weather.
While some people advocate for mixing kerosene and diesel fuel, others caution against it due to potential issues with increased injector wear and the need for more frequent filter changes. It is important to consult manufacturer guidelines and seek expert advice before mixing fuels to avoid any potential engine damage or safety hazards.
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Kerosene is a lighter diesel oil than #2 diesel
Kerosene, also known as #1 diesel fuel oil, is a lighter diesel oil than #2 diesel fuel oil. This is due to its composition of hydrocarbon chains that range from 12 to 15 carbon atoms, which gives it a lighter viscosity value. As a result, kerosene has slightly less energy content than #2 diesel, with approximately 135,000 BTU per gallon compared to 139,000 BTU per gallon for #2 diesel.
The lighter viscosity of kerosene also contributes to its hotter-burning properties. Despite having a lower total energy content, kerosene's viscosity causes it to burn at a higher temperature in an engine. This can lead to concerns about burning out rings and other engine components, such as gaskets and valves. However, the trade-off is that kerosene burns drier and cleaner than #2 diesel, resulting in lower emissions.
Kerosene's ability to burn cleaner makes it an attractive option for mixing with #2 diesel fuel. By blending ten percent kerosene, the cold filter plugging point of a diesel fuel blend can be lowered by five degrees, improving cold weather performance. This practice is particularly useful during winter, as it helps to modify the cold weather handling temperatures of diesel fuel.
While kerosene has its advantages when mixed with diesel fuel, it is important to consider its disadvantages. Kerosene contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and is a non-renewable resource. Additionally, frequent exposure to kerosene fumes can be harmful to health, potentially causing skin irritation and lung diseases. Therefore, while kerosene may provide benefits when mixed with diesel fuel, it is crucial to carefully weigh the advantages against the potential drawbacks.
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Kerosene burns drier than #2 diesel
Kerosene is often used in jet engines, furnaces, lamps, and heaters. It is also known as #1 diesel fuel oil, while regular diesel is known as #2 diesel fuel oil. Kerosene is a lighter diesel oil than #2 diesel, which is why it is designated as #1 diesel. It has a lower viscosity value, which means it burns at a higher temperature in an engine.
Kerosene contains about 135,000 BTU per gallon, while #2 diesel contains about 139,000 BTU per gallon. Kerosene has a lower energy value, so burning a gallon of kerosene produces less total heat than burning a gallon of regular diesel. Kerosene does not contain high levels of aromatic compounds, which are typically found in #2 diesel fuel oils. This is one of the reasons why kerosene burns drier than #2 diesel.
The dry burn of kerosene can damage fuel pumps due to its lack of lubricity. Kerosene has very little lubricity compared to #2 diesel, which means that fuel pumps experience more wear and may burn out when running on kerosene. Some people add automatic transmission fluid to the kerosene to address this issue.
Kerosene is often used in cold weather to change the cold-weather handling temperatures of diesel fuel. It can help prevent gelling in freezing temperatures. However, there are risks associated with using kerosene in a diesel engine. Kerosene is a harsher fuel, and its lack of lubrication can damage the injector pump. It is also less fuel-efficient and reduces engine power. Mixing kerosene with diesel fuel can also void the warranty on a vehicle's engine.
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$136.49
Kerosene is a hotter-burning fuel than #2 diesel
Kerosene, also known as #1 diesel fuel oil, can be mixed with regular diesel (#2 diesel fuel oil). Kerosene is a lighter diesel oil than #2, which is why it is designated #1 diesel. This lighter weight means it contains slightly less energy, with about 135,000 BTU per gallon compared to 139,000 BTU for a gallon of #2 diesel.
Kerosene has a lower energy value than #2 diesel, so burning a gallon of kerosene will produce less total heat than burning a gallon of regular diesel. However, kerosene has a lighter viscosity value, which causes it to burn at a higher temperature in an engine. This dry burn may damage fuel pumps and other engine parts, such as rings, gaskets, and valves. To prevent this, some people add automatic transmission fluid or 2-cycle oil to the kerosene.
Kerosene is sometimes mixed with diesel fuel to gain certain benefits. For example, kerosene can be used to change the cold-weather handling temperatures of diesel fuel. A common rule of thumb is that mixing in 10% kerosene will lower the cold filter plugging point of a diesel fuel blend by five degrees. Kerosene is also mixed with diesel fuel to lower emissions, as kerosene burns cleaner than #2 diesel.
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Kerosene is also called #1 diesel fuel
Kerosene, also known as paraffin or lamp oil, is derived from petroleum. It is a clear, colourless liquid with a slightly pungent smell. Kerosene is commonly used as a fuel for lamps and small engines, as well as for heating and cooking in certain regions. It has a high flash point, making it less prone to spontaneous ignition than other fuels, and it is also relatively stable and easy to store. Kerosene is widely used in aviation fuel and in some types of diesel engines.
Kerosene is indeed sometimes referred to as #1 diesel fuel oil, while regular diesel is designated as #2 diesel fuel oil. Kerosene is a more refined fuel than #2 diesel, with fewer impurities, a lower density, and a lower flash point. This means that kerosene burns drier and has less lubricity than #2 diesel. The term "#1 diesel" refers to the fact that kerosene is a lighter diesel oil, containing slightly less energy per gallon than #2 diesel.
The difference in energy content between the two fuels has led to some debate about whether kerosene burns at a higher temperature than #2 diesel. Some people argue that kerosene burns hotter due to its lighter viscosity value, while others point out that it contains less total energy per gallon, which would result in less total heat when burned. However, the lower energy content of kerosene does not necessarily mean it burns at a lower temperature, as the viscosity can also be a factor.
Kerosene and diesel fuel are not exactly the same, but they are similar enough that some people may try to use them interchangeably. In the winter, kerosene can be particularly useful when mixed with diesel fuel. It can help to lower the cold weather handling temperatures of diesel fuel, improving its performance in cold conditions. Additionally, kerosene is considered to burn cleaner than #2 diesel, so mixing the two fuels can help to lower emissions.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, kerosene can be mixed with diesel fuel. Kerosene is sometimes added to diesel fuel in the winter to change the cold-weather handling temperatures of diesel fuel.
Mixing kerosene with diesel fuel can lower emissions as kerosene "burns cleaner" than diesel. It can also be done to save money.
It is recommended to mix 10% kerosene with 90% diesel fuel to lower the cold filter plugging point of a diesel fuel blend by five degrees.
While it is possible to mix the two fuels, some manufacturers, such as Kubota, specifically state that kerosene is not to be added to diesel fuel. Kerosene also has a higher sulfur content than diesel fuel, which can be an issue for particulate matter (PM) traps in some engines.
Kerosene has a lighter viscosity value than diesel fuel, which can cause it to burn at a hotter temperature in an engine and potentially lead to burning out rings. Kerosene also has less lubricity than diesel fuel, which can result in increased injector wear.
