Sylvie Willis
Kerosene, also known as #1 diesel fuel oil, is a lighter diesel oil than #2 diesel. It has slightly less energy content, with about 135,000 BTU per gallon compared to 139,000 BTU for #2 diesel. Kerosene is often mixed with diesel fuel, especially during the winter months, as it can help lower the cold filter plugging point of a diesel fuel blend. This practice, however, is controversial, with some manufacturers explicitly advising against adding kerosene to diesel fuel. In this article, we will explore the process of making kerosene from diesel fuel, the potential benefits and drawbacks, and the safety considerations to keep in mind.
Characteristics and Values of Making Kerosene from Diesel Fuel
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Kerosene is also called | #1 diesel fuel oil |
| Regular diesel is also called | #2 diesel fuel oil |
| Kerosene is a | lighter diesel oil than #2 |
| Energy value of Kerosene | 135,000 BTU per gallon |
| Energy value of #2 diesel | 139,000 BTU per gallon |
| Kerosene has | less lubricity than #2 diesel |
| Kerosene can be mixed with diesel fuel to | lower emissions |
| Kerosene can be mixed with diesel fuel to | improve cold weather handling temperatures |
| Kerosene has a | lighter viscosity value than diesel |
| Kerosene has a | higher sulfur content than diesel |
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What You'll Learn
Kerosene can be mixed with diesel fuel
Kerosene, also known as #1 diesel fuel oil, can be mixed with regular diesel, or #2 diesel fuel oil. Kerosene is a lighter diesel oil than #2, and contains slightly less energy—about 135,000 BTU per gallon compared to 139,000 BTU for a gallon of #2 diesel. Kerosene also has less lubricity than #2 diesel, as it does not contain high levels of aromatic compounds, which are typically found in #2 diesel.
Due to these properties, kerosene is often mixed with diesel fuel to improve cold weather operability. Kerosene has a better cold filter plugging point (CFPP) than diesel fuel, meaning it can pass through a filter at a lower temperature than untreated diesel fuel. In winter, a rule of thumb is that mixing in 10% kerosene will lower the cold filter plugging point of a diesel fuel blend by five degrees. This can, however, be costly, and it is often more cost-effective to treat the fuel with a cold flow improver additive.
Mixing kerosene with diesel fuel can also be done to lower emissions. Kerosene burns cleaner than #2 diesel, and so the blend will lower emissions. However, kerosene has less cetane than diesel fuel, which can lead to hard starting, longer warm-ups, and heavy white smoke. Kerosene is also considered a hotter-burning fuel than #2 diesel, which may cause concerns about burning out rings.
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Kerosene is a hotter-burning fuel than #2 diesel
Kerosene, also known as #1 diesel fuel oil, is often considered interchangeable with regular #2 diesel fuel. Kerosene is a lighter diesel oil than #2, which is why it is designated as #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. Despite containing less energy overall, kerosene has a lighter viscosity value, which makes it burn at a hotter temperature in an engine. This is why some people consider kerosene to be a hotter-burning fuel than #2 diesel.
The difference in energy content between kerosene and #2 diesel has led to concerns about potential damage to fuel pumps and other engine components when using kerosene. Kerosene has much less lubricity compared to #2 diesel, which can cause fuel pumps to experience a lot of wear and even burn out. To mitigate this issue, some people add automatic transmission fluid or 2-cycle oil to the kerosene to increase its lubricity.
The burning of kerosene also differs from that of #2 diesel due to its lower levels of aromatic compounds. Kerosene burns drier than #2 diesel, which typically contains higher levels of these compounds. This difference in combustion characteristics can also impact the performance and longevity of engine components.
Despite these concerns, kerosene offers several benefits when mixed with #2 diesel fuel. One advantage is its ability to improve cold weather performance. Kerosene has a significant impact on lowering the cold filter plugging point of diesel fuel blends, making it useful during winter. Additionally, mixing kerosene with #2 diesel can help lower emissions due to its cleaner burning properties.
In summary, while kerosene contains less total energy than #2 diesel, its lighter viscosity causes it to burn at a higher temperature in engines. This unique characteristic of kerosene provides both advantages and challenges when compared to #2 diesel. Understanding these differences is crucial for optimizing fuel performance and maintaining engine health.
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Kerosene has less energy value than #2 diesel
Kerosene, also known as #1 diesel fuel oil, has a lower energy value than regular #2 diesel fuel oil. Kerosene has about 135,000 BTU per gallon, whereas #2 diesel has approximately 139,000 BTU per gallon. This means that burning a gallon of kerosene will produce less total heat than burning an equal amount of regular diesel.
The difference in energy values between kerosene and #2 diesel is due to their distinct properties. Kerosene is a lighter diesel oil, which results in a lower energy output. Additionally, kerosene contains lower levels of aromatic compounds compared to #2 diesel and heavier diesel fuel oils. This contributes to its drier burn, with less lubricity, which can potentially damage fuel pumps and other engine components.
Despite having a lower energy value, kerosene is still commonly used in diesel engines, particularly during winter. Kerosene has a lower freezing point than diesel, making it useful for improving the cold-weather performance of diesel fuel. By mixing in approximately 10% kerosene, the cold filter plugging point of a diesel fuel blend can be reduced by about five degrees. This helps prevent issues with fuel filters becoming plugged by gelled diesel fuel in cold conditions.
In addition to its benefits in cold weather, kerosene is also favoured for its cleaner burn compared to #2 diesel. Mixing kerosene with diesel fuel can help lower emissions, making it a desirable option for reducing the environmental impact of diesel engines. Aircraft, in particular, often use kerosene as fuel despite its lower energy density by weight. This is due to various factors, including the combustion properties at altitude, emission characteristics, and the weight considerations that are critical in aerospace design.
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Kerosene is useful for changing cold weather handling temperatures of diesel fuel
Kerosene, also known as #1 diesel fuel oil, is a lighter diesel oil than #2 diesel fuel oil, which is the standard diesel fuel. Kerosene has a lower energy value than #2 diesel, producing approximately 135,000 BTU per gallon compared to 139,000 BTU per gallon for #2 diesel. This lower energy value means that burning a gallon of kerosene produces less total heat than burning a gallon of #2 diesel.
However, kerosene has a lower viscosity value than #2 diesel, which means it burns at a hotter temperature in an engine. Kerosene also burns drier, with less lubricity, than #2 diesel, which can lead to concerns about damage to fuel pumps and other engine components. To mitigate this, some people add automatic transmission fluid or 2-cycle oil to the kerosene.
Kerosene is particularly useful in cold weather as it has a lower freeze point than #2 diesel. Kerosene starts to gel at around -40 degrees Fahrenheit, while #2 diesel begins to gel at around 16 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes kerosene a must-use in extremely cold climates. Mixing kerosene with diesel fuel can help to lower the cold filter plugging point of the diesel fuel blend, improving its cold weather handling capabilities. The general rule is that for every 10% of kerosene added, the cold filter plugging point is lowered by 3 to 5 degrees.
While kerosene can provide benefits in cold weather, it is important to note that it is not a direct substitute for #2 diesel fuel. Kerosene has a lower cetane rating than diesel, which can lead to issues such as poor starting, delayed warm-ups, and white smoke. Additionally, the reduced lubricity of kerosene can result in increased wear and tear on engine components. As such, it is generally more cost-effective to treat diesel fuel with a winter fuel additive than to mix it with kerosene.
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Kerosene is sometimes added to diesel fuel to lower emissions
The practice of adding kerosene to diesel fuel is partly due to its ability to reduce emissions. Kerosene has a high cetane rating, which means it ignites easily and burns cleanly, resulting in lower emissions. Grade 1-K kerosene, in particular, burns cleaner with fewer deposits, fewer toxins, and less frequent maintenance. This makes it the preferred grade for indoor heaters and stoves. By mixing kerosene with diesel fuel, emissions can be lowered while also improving overall engine performance.
However, there are concerns and risks associated with adding kerosene to diesel fuel. Kerosene has less total energy than #2 diesel fuel, resulting in lower heat output per gallon. It also lacks lubrication, which can damage fuel pumps and injector pumps. The use of kerosene in diesel engines may void the warranty on vehicle engines. Furthermore, while kerosene can prevent gelling in diesel fuel during cold weather, it is not recommended by professionals in the diesel industry. They suggest using additives, lubricants, and winter-safe diesel engine oil instead of mixing kerosene.
In terms of cost, kerosene is typically cheaper than diesel fuel, making it a financially attractive alternative. However, the reduced fuel efficiency of kerosene due to its lower burning temperature may result in wasted fuel, potentially offsetting the cost savings. Additionally, in Canada and the United States, using kerosene in vehicles that are not meant for road use could result in a fine due to regulations on fuel standards for road vehicles.
While kerosene can be added to diesel fuel to lower emissions, it is important to consider the potential risks and ensure compliance with local regulations. There are also alternative fuel additives, such as dimethyl ether (DME) and hydrogen, which can be used to improve engine performance and further reduce emissions.
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Frequently asked questions
No, but kerosene can be added to diesel fuel to lower the cold weather handling temperature of the diesel fuel.
Kerosene has less energy value than diesel fuel, so burning a gallon of kerosene will produce less heat than burning a gallon of diesel fuel. Kerosene also burns drier than diesel fuel, which can damage fuel pumps.
In addition to improving the cold weather handling temperature of diesel fuel, kerosene can also lower emissions when mixed with diesel fuel because it burns cleaner than diesel fuel.
