Ameer Randolph
Kerosene, also known as #1 Diesel, is a combustible hydrocarbon liquid derived from petroleum. It is used as a fuel for jet engines, furnaces, lamps, and heaters. With the price of diesel fuel rising, some people consider using kerosene in their diesel engines. Kerosene typically has a lower temperature burn than diesel, which can be advantageous in freezing temperatures as it doesn't gel as quickly. However, kerosene's lower lubricity compared to diesel can cause issues in fuel pumps and other engine components. Additionally, kerosene's lower energy value can lead to reduced engine power and fuel efficiency. While kerosene is generally cheaper than diesel, mixing the two fuels without proper knowledge can cause engine damage and void warranties.
Characteristics of Kerosene and Diesel Fuel
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Burning temperature | Kerosene burns at a lower temperature than diesel fuel. |
| Viscosity | Kerosene has a lighter viscosity value than diesel. |
| Lubricity | Kerosene has very little lubricity compared to diesel fuel. |
| Cost | Kerosene is typically cheaper than diesel fuel. |
| Gelling | Kerosene doesn't gel as quickly as diesel fuel, preventing gelling in freezing temperatures. |
| Usage | Kerosene is used as a fuel for jet engines, furnaces, lamps, and heaters. |
| BTUs | Kerosene has higher BTUs than diesel fuel. |
| Efficiency | Kerosene is less fuel-efficient than diesel fuel. |
| Engine Power | Kerosene provides less engine power than diesel fuel. |
| Emissions | Kerosene burns cleaner than diesel fuel, resulting in lower emissions. |
| Additives | Mixing kerosene with diesel fuel can change the cold weather handling temperatures of diesel. |
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What You'll Learn
Kerosene burns at a lower temperature than diesel fuel
Kerosene, also known as #1 Diesel, has a lower flashpoint than #2 Diesel. This means that kerosene burns at a lower temperature than diesel fuel. Kerosene has a lower viscosity value, which makes it burn at a hotter temperature in an engine. However, since kerosene contains less total energy than diesel, burning a gallon of kerosene will produce less total heat than burning a gallon of diesel fuel.
Kerosene is typically cheaper than diesel fuel and is often used as an alternative fuel option for diesel engines. It is also smoother to run in freezing temperatures as it doesn't gel as quickly as diesel. However, there are risks associated with using kerosene in a diesel engine, as it is a harsher fuel with less lubricity, which can damage the engine's injector pump. Kerosene also has lower fuel efficiency and reduces engine power.
Some people add kerosene to diesel fuel during cold weather to lower the cold filter plugging point of the diesel. This practice is not recommended by professionals in the diesel industry, who suggest using additives, lubricants, and winter-safe diesel engine oil instead.
Kerosene is also known to burn drier and cleaner than diesel, with less lubricity, which can cause concerns about damage to fuel pumps and other engine components. It is important to check if kerosene is an approved alternative fuel for a specific engine, as using unapproved fuel can void the warranty.
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Kerosene is cheaper than diesel fuel
Kerosene is a more refined fuel than diesel, with fewer impurities. This is why kerosene was historically burned indoors, as diesel would leave a strong odour. Kerosene has a lower flashpoint than diesel, which means it burns cleaner and doesn't produce a strong smell.
In the past, kerosene was cheaper than diesel fuel and was widely available at gas stations. However, in recent times, the price of kerosene has increased relative to diesel. Kerosene is now typically around 40 cents more expensive per gallon than diesel fuel, although this premium can vary from 20 cents to as high as $1.
The price difference between kerosene and diesel is influenced by several factors, including geographical location, demand, and the specific type of kerosene being purchased. For example, during the winter, kerosene tends to be in higher demand and can be more expensive than gasoline or diesel.
Despite the price difference, it is important to note that kerosene and diesel fuel are not interchangeable. Kerosene has a lower energy density and is less efficient than diesel. Mixing the two fuels can provide benefits in cold weather, as kerosene can lower the cold filter plugging point of diesel fuel blends. However, using kerosene in a diesel engine can cause issues due to its lower lubricity, potentially leading to wear and damage to fuel pumps and other components.
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Kerosene has a lower flashpoint than diesel fuel
Kerosene, often referred to as #1 Diesel, has higher BTUs than #2 Diesel, or fuel oil, home heating oil, or jet fuel. This means that kerosene produces more heat per unit of measurement. However, kerosene contains less total energy than #2 Diesel, so burning a gallon of kerosene will result in less total heat than burning a gallon of diesel fuel. This is an important distinction to make when comparing the heat output of the two fuels.
The difference in energy content between kerosene and diesel fuel has implications for their relative performance in engines. Kerosene has a lighter viscosity value, which means it can burn at a hotter temperature in an engine. This is one of the reasons why kerosene is sometimes mixed with diesel fuel, especially in cold weather conditions. By adding kerosene to diesel fuel, the cold weather handling temperatures of the diesel can be improved, preventing the fuel from gelling in freezing temperatures.
However, despite the benefits of kerosene in cold climates, there are risks associated with using it in a diesel engine. Kerosene burns drier and has less lubricity than diesel fuel, which can lead to increased wear and tear on engine components. This lack of lubrication can damage the injector pump and other parts such as rings, gaskets, and valves. To mitigate this issue, lubricants can be added to the kerosene, but this adds an extra step and cost to the fuel mixture.
In summary, while kerosene has a lower flashpoint than diesel fuel and burns at a lower temperature, it is important to consider the context of their usage. Kerosene's properties make it useful for improving the performance of diesel fuel in cold weather, but it may not be suitable for direct use in diesel engines due to the risk of damage and reduced fuel efficiency. As such, it is essential to consult with professionals and refer to the vehicle's manual before using kerosene as a fuel alternative or additive.
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Kerosene has less lubricity than diesel fuel
Kerosene, also known as #1 Diesel, has higher BTUs than #2 Diesel. However, it contains lower levels of aromatic compounds, which are typically found in #2 and heavier diesel fuel oils. This is why kerosene burns drier, with less lubricity, than #2 diesel.
The primary concern with the dry burn of kerosene is the potential damage to fuel pumps and other engine parts. Kerosene has significantly lower lubricity compared to #2 diesel. As a result, fuel pumps may experience excessive wear and even burn out when operating on kerosene. Some of the additional parts that may be affected include rings, gaskets, and valves.
To address this issue, it is recommended to add automatic transmission fluid or 2-cycle oil to the kerosene. This helps increase the lubricity and protect the engine components.
While kerosene has less lubricity, it is still used in diesel engines, especially during winter. Kerosene has a better cold filter plugging point (CFPP) than diesel fuel, allowing it to pass through filters at lower temperatures. By mixing ten percent kerosene with diesel fuel, the cold filter plugging point of the blend can be lowered by approximately five degrees. This makes it a useful additive in extremely cold climates to improve the cold weather performance of diesel fuel.
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Kerosene is a harsher fuel than diesel fuel
Kerosene also has less energy value than diesel fuel. Burning a gallon of kerosene will produce less total heat than burning a gallon of diesel fuel. This makes kerosene less fuel-efficient, which can result in reduced engine power and increased fuel costs.
However, kerosene does have some advantages over diesel fuel. It has a lighter viscosity value, which allows it to burn at a hotter temperature in an engine. Additionally, kerosene burns drier and cleaner than diesel, resulting in lower emissions. In cold climates, kerosene is useful for preventing diesel fuel from gelling in freezing temperatures.
Despite these advantages, there are risks associated with using kerosene in diesel engines. Kerosene is not an approved alternative fuel for all diesel engines, and using it can void the warranty on a vehicle's engine. It is recommended to check with warranty providers and vehicle manuals before using kerosene. Additionally, the potential cost savings of using kerosene may be outweighed by the cost of repairing any damage it may cause to the engine.
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Frequently asked questions
Kerosene burns at a lower temperature than diesel fuel. However, it has a lighter viscosity value, which makes it burn at a hotter temperature in an engine.
Kerosene contains less energy than diesel fuel. Burning a gallon of kerosene will, therefore, produce less total heat than burning a gallon of diesel fuel.
Kerosene is typically cheaper than diesel fuel. It also burns drier and cleaner than diesel fuel, producing less soot and lowering emissions. Kerosene also doesn't gel as quickly as diesel fuel, which can be beneficial in cold temperatures to prevent gelling.
Kerosene has less lubricity than diesel fuel, which can cause fuel pumps and other parts to wear out more quickly. Kerosene is also less fuel-efficient than diesel fuel, which can result in reduced engine power.
