Sylvie Willis
Kerosene, also known as #1 diesel fuel oil, is often compared with regular diesel, which is designated as #2 diesel fuel oil. Kerosene is a lighter diesel oil than #2, and has a lower energy content, with about 135,000 BTU per gallon compared to 139,000 BTU for a gallon of #2. Kerosene also has very little lubricity compared to #2 diesel, which can cause fuel pumps to burn out. Kerosene is also known as K1, and is heavily treated to remove sulfur, while #2 diesel fuel has a higher sulfur content.
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What You'll Learn
- Kerosene is also called #1 diesel fuel oil, while regular diesel is designated #2 diesel fuel oil
- Kerosene has lower sulfur content than #2 diesel fuel
- Kerosene has less lubricity than #2 diesel
- Kerosene can be mixed with diesel fuel to change its cold weather handling temperatures
- Kerosene is a lighter diesel oil than #2
Kerosene is also called #1 diesel fuel oil, while regular diesel is designated #2 diesel fuel oil
Kerosene, also known as #1 diesel fuel oil, has some distinct differences from regular diesel, which is designated #2 diesel fuel oil. Kerosene is a lighter diesel oil than #2, which is why it is labelled #1 diesel. This lighter weight means it contains slightly less energy per gallon, with around 135,000 BTU per gallon compared to #2 diesel's 139,000 BTU. Kerosene also has very little lubricity compared to #2 diesel, which can cause issues with fuel pumps and other engine parts.
The key difference between the two fuels is their sulfur content. Kerosene has a low sulfur content, while #2 diesel can have up to 10 times more sulfur. This gives kerosene a "'dry burn", which can be an issue for fuel pumps. Kerosene is also considered a "'hotter-burning' fuel, which can cause concerns about burning out engine parts.
Kerosene is often used to mix with diesel fuel during the winter months, as it can lower the cold filter plugging point of a diesel fuel blend. It is also mixed with #2 diesel to lower emissions, as kerosene burns "cleaner".
Some people consider kerosene and regular diesel similar enough to use them interchangeably, but there are clear differences between the two fuels, and issues can arise from using them in the wrong contexts. For example, kerosene is used for space heaters and lamps, while #2 diesel is used for heaters with an external flue to remove exhaust.
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Kerosene has lower sulfur content than #2 diesel fuel
Kerosene, also known as #1 diesel fuel oil, has a lower sulfur content than #2 diesel fuel oil. Kerosene is derived from the process of refining crude oil and is often used in jet fuel, space heaters, and lamps.
#2 diesel fuel, on the other hand, is a heavier diesel oil with a higher sulfur content. It is commonly used in vehicles and heavy machinery. The higher sulfur content in #2 diesel contributes to its characteristic unpleasant odour, which can cause sore throats and coughing.
The key difference between K1 and #2 diesel fuel lies in their sulfur content. K1 kerosene undergoes heavy treatment to remove sulfur, resulting in a product that is virtually odourless. This treatment process makes K1 kerosene suitable for use in kerosene heaters and indoor settings.
In contrast, #2 diesel fuel has a higher sulfur content, which can lead to an increased risk of wear and tear on fuel pumps and other engine components. The higher sulfur content also contributes to the fuel's characteristic odour, which can be off-putting to some users.
The difference in sulfur content also affects the energy content of the two fuels. #2 diesel fuel has a slightly higher energy content than kerosene, but this does not necessarily translate into higher combustion efficiency. Kerosene, with its lower sulfur content, burns cleaner and produces fewer emissions. This characteristic of kerosene makes it an attractive option for blending with #2 diesel fuel during winter to improve its cold-weather performance and reduce emissions.
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Kerosene has less lubricity than #2 diesel
Kerosene, also known as #1 diesel fuel oil, has a lower lubricity than #2 diesel fuel oil. This means that kerosene has a lower ability to lubricate the parts of a machine that it comes into contact with. As a result, fuel pumps running on kerosene experience a lot of wear and may burn out. Some people cite additional parts that will wear out due to kerosene's low lubricity, including rings, gaskets, and valves.
The difference in lubricity between kerosene and #2 diesel is due to the fact that kerosene is a lighter diesel oil. 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 also has a lower level of aromatic compounds, which are typically concentrated in #2 and heavier diesel fuel oils. This contributes to kerosene burning drier than #2 diesel.
The issue of kerosene's low lubricity can be mitigated by adding some automatic transmission fluid or 2-cycle oil to the kerosene. However, it is important to note that kerosene has a lighter viscosity value, which causes it to burn at a hotter temperature in an engine, despite having a lower total energy content.
Kerosene is often used in the winter to lower the cold filter plugging point of diesel fuel blends, as well as to reduce emissions. Kerosene burns cleaner than #2 diesel, resulting in lower emissions. However, kerosene has a lower flashpoint than diesel, which means that diesel will not burn as cleanly in a kerosene space heater.
In summary, kerosene has less lubricity than #2 diesel due to its lighter weight and lower aromatic compound content. This can lead to increased wear and tear on fuel pumps and other engine parts, but this issue can be addressed by adding lubricating fluids to the kerosene. Kerosene is still a valuable additive in diesel fuel blends, particularly in winter climates, due to its ability to lower the cold filter plugging point and reduce emissions.
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Kerosene can be mixed with diesel fuel to change its cold weather handling temperatures
Kerosene, also known as #1 diesel fuel oil, is a lighter diesel oil than #2 diesel fuel oil. It has a lower lubricity, which means that fuel pumps experience a lot of wear and may burn out when running on kerosene. Kerosene also has a lower energy content than #2 diesel, with about 135,000 BTU per gallon compared to 139,000 BTU for a gallon of #2 diesel.
Kerosene is often used to winterize diesel fuel. This is because kerosene can effectively change the cold weather handling temperatures of diesel fuel. Mixing in around ten per cent of kerosene will typically lower the cold filter plugging point of a diesel fuel blend by five degrees. In very cold climates, it is often more cost-effective to use kerosene as a mixer than a cold flow polymer.
Kerosene is also considered to burn cleaner than #2 diesel, producing less soot and lowering emissions. Kerosene is also treated to remove sulfur, which makes it odorless, while diesel fuel is known to have a strong odour that can cause sore throats and coughing.
Kerosene is also used in space heaters and lamps, while diesel fuel is used in heaters with an external flue to remove exhaust. Kerosene has less paraffin than diesel, so it doesn't gel as quickly and doesn't plug fuel filters on diesel vehicles. However, kerosene may not be suitable for all diesel engines, and it is important to consider the potential for increased wear on engine components when using kerosene in diesel fuel.
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Kerosene is a lighter diesel oil than #2
Kerosene, also known as #1 diesel fuel oil, is a lighter diesel oil than #2 diesel fuel oil. Kerosene has a lower viscosity value, which means it burns at a hotter temperature in an engine. However, it contains slightly less energy, with about 135,000 BTU per gallon compared to 139,000 BTU for a gallon of #2 diesel. This is because kerosene doesn't contain high levels of aromatic compounds, which are typically found in #2 and heavier diesel fuel oils.
Kerosene is often used to winterize diesel fuel, as it can be mixed with diesel to change its cold-weather handling temperatures. In extremely cold climates, it can be more cost-effective to use kerosene as a mixer than a cold flow polymer. Mixing kerosene with #2 diesel is also done to lower emissions, as kerosene burns cleaner.
Kerosene is also known to have better ignition properties than #2 diesel. It is heavily treated to remove sulfur, making it useful for kerosene heaters and other similar applications. Kerosene is also sometimes preferred due to its lack of odour, whereas diesel fuel is known to have a strong smell that can be unpleasant and cause sore throats and coughs.
The main difference between kerosene and #2 diesel fuel, other than their viscosity and energy content, is their sulfur content. Kerosene has a low sulfur content, while #2 diesel can have up to 10 times more sulfur. The fewer impurities in the fuel, the cleaner it will burn. This also contributes to the difference in the smell of the two fuels.
In summary, kerosene is a lighter diesel oil than #2 diesel, with a lower viscosity, slightly less energy content, and a cleaner burn. It is often used to improve the cold-weather performance and emissions of #2 diesel and is preferred by some due to its lack of odour and better ignition properties.
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Frequently asked questions
K1, or K-1, is a type of kerosene with low sulfur content. It is commonly used in space heaters and lamps.
Diesel fuel, also known as #2 diesel, is a heavier diesel oil than K1. It has a higher energy content and lubricity, but it can produce more emissions.
The main difference between K1 and diesel fuel is their sulfur content. K1 has low sulfur content, while diesel fuel has higher sulfur content. K1 is also typically used for indoor heating, while diesel fuel is used for outdoor heating due to its unpleasant smell.
