Regan Brown
Kerosene, also known as #1 diesel fuel oil, is a lighter diesel oil than #2 diesel fuel oil. Kerosene has a lower energy content than #2 diesel, with about 135,000 BTU per gallon compared to 139,000 BTU per gallon for #2 diesel. Kerosene is frequently blended with diesel fuel to improve winter cold flow operability and lower emissions. While kerosene and diesel fuel are similar products, they have distinct differences, including their volatility and energy content.
Differences between Kerosene and #1 Diesel Fuel
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Other names | Kerosene: Kero, #1 Diesel Fuel Oil, Jet-A, JP, Water White K-1, Diesel #1; #1 Diesel Fuel: Kero, Kerosene, Diesel #1 |
| Usage | Kerosene: Aviation, small engines, heating, cooking, lamps; #1 Diesel Fuel: Engines |
| Volatility | Kerosene is less volatile than gasoline |
| Flash point | Kerosene: High; Gasoline: Low |
| BTU content | Kerosene: 133,500-135,000 per gallon; #1 Diesel Fuel: 139,000-139,500 per gallon |
| Lubricity | Kerosene: Low; #1 Diesel Fuel: High |
| Viscosity | Kerosene: Lighter; #1 Diesel Fuel: Heavier |
| Cetane | Kerosene: Low; #1 Diesel Fuel: High |
| Aromatic compounds | Kerosene: Low; #1 Diesel Fuel: High |
| Cost | Kerosene: Expensive; #1 Diesel Fuel: Cheaper |
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What You'll Learn
Kerosene is highly refined, with fewer impurities than diesel fuel
Kerosene, also known as #1 diesel fuel oil, is a highly refined fuel with fewer impurities than #2 diesel fuel oil. This is why kerosene was historically burned indoors, as diesel would leave a strong odour when burned inside.
Kerosene has a high flash point, meaning it is less prone to spontaneous ignition than other fuels. It is also relatively stable and easy to store. Due to its high refinement, kerosene is more expensive than diesel.
Kerosene is frequently blended with diesel fuel to improve operability in cold weather. The ratio of diesel fuel to kerosene typically ranges from 80/20 to 50/50. This blend is useful as kerosene has a better cold filter plugging point (CFPP) than diesel fuel, meaning it can pass through a filter at lower temperatures.
Kerosene contains less lubricity than diesel, which can lead to increased wear and burnout of fuel pumps and other engine parts. This can be mitigated by adding automatic transmission fluid or 2-cycle oil to the kerosene.
While kerosene and diesel fuel have some similarities, they are not interchangeable. Kerosene has a lower energy value, with approximately 135,000 British Thermal Units (BTUs) per gallon compared to diesel's 139,500 BTUs per gallon. This results in decreased engine power and fuel economy when using kerosene.
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Kerosene is a lighter diesel oil than #1 diesel
Kerosene, also known as paraffin or lamp oil, is a clear, colourless liquid derived from petroleum. It is commonly used as a fuel for lamps, small engines, and for heating and cooking in some parts of the world. Kerosene 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 often referred to as #1 diesel fuel oil, while regular diesel is designated as #2 diesel fuel oil. Kerosene is a lighter diesel oil than #1 diesel, which means it contains slightly less energy. A gallon of kerosene contains approximately 133,500-135,000 British Thermal Units (BTUs) of energy, while a gallon of #2 diesel contains approximately 139,000-139,500 BTUs. This difference in energy content leads to a slight decrease in engine power and fuel economy when using kerosene.
The lighter viscosity of kerosene causes it to burn at a hotter temperature in an engine, and it has a better cold filter plugging point (CFPP) than #2 diesel. This means that kerosene can pass through a filter at a lower temperature, improving winter cold flow operability. However, kerosene has very little lubricity compared to #2 diesel, which can lead to increased wear and tear on fuel pumps and other engine components.
Kerosene is frequently blended with diesel fuel, especially during winter, to improve cold weather performance and lower emissions. A typical blend may range from 80% diesel and 20% kerosene to a 50/50 mix. While kerosene is a more refined fuel with fewer impurities than diesel, it is generally more expensive, with prices ranging from 20 cents to $1.00 more per gallon.
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Kerosene has less lubricity than diesel fuel
Kerosene, also known as #1 diesel fuel oil, is a lighter diesel oil than #2 diesel fuel oil. This lighter weight means it contains slightly less energy, with an average of 133,500 to 135,000 BTU per gallon compared to 139,000 to 139,500 BTU per gallon for #2 diesel. Kerosene has less lubricity than #2 diesel, which can cause fuel pumps to experience a lot of wear and potentially burn out. This is because kerosene doesn't contain very high levels of aromatic compounds, which are typically concentrated in #2 and heavier diesel fuel oils.
The difference in lubricity between kerosene and #2 diesel fuel is due in part to the refinement process. Kerosene is highly refined, with fewer impurities than #2 diesel fuel. This is why kerosene used to be burned indoors, as #2 diesel fuel left a strong odor when burned inside. The refinement process also contributes to the higher cost of kerosene compared to #2 diesel fuel.
The lubricity of diesel fuel is a significant concern, especially with Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD). ULSD contains significantly less lubricity than Low Sulfur Diesel (LSD), leading to potential issues with metal components in the fuel system, including fuel pumps and injectors.
To address the lubricity issue when using kerosene, some people add automatic transmission fluid or 2-cycle oil to the kerosene. This helps to reduce the wear on fuel pumps and other parts caused by the lower lubricity of kerosene.
While kerosene has less lubricity than #2 diesel fuel, it is still used in some diesel engines, particularly in colder climates. Kerosene has a better cold filter plugging point (CFPP) than #2 diesel fuel, meaning it can pass through a filter at lower temperatures. This makes it useful for improving the cold weather handling temperatures of diesel fuel. In winter, a blend of 80% #2 diesel and 20% kerosene is sometimes used to improve performance in cold conditions.
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Kerosene is sometimes blended with diesel fuel to improve winter cold flow operability
Kerosene, also known as #1 diesel fuel oil, is a lighter diesel oil than #2 diesel fuel oil. It has a lower density and flashpoint than #2 diesel fuel oil. Kerosene has a high flash point, which means it is less likely to ignite spontaneously than other fuels. This is why kerosene used to be burned indoors, as diesel left a strong odor when burned inside. Kerosene also has a lower lubricity than #2 diesel fuel oil, which means it has a dry burn that may damage fuel pumps.
Due to its properties, kerosene is sometimes blended with diesel fuel to improve winter cold flow operability. Kerosene has a better cold filter plugging point (CFPP) than diesel fuel, which means it can be passed through a filter at a lower temperature than untreated diesel fuel. In the winter, kerosene is extremely useful for changing the cold-weather handling temperatures of diesel fuel. The rule of thumb is that mixing in 10% kerosene will lower the CFPP of a diesel fuel blend by 5 degrees.
However, blending kerosene with diesel fuel is not a cost-effective method of achieving the desired cold flow operability. In most cases, treating the fuel with a cold flow improver additive is more economical and effective. While kerosene-blended diesel fuel can be successfully used in the winter, it results in decreased engine power and fuel economy.
The ratio of diesel fuel to kerosene in a blend typically ranges from 80/20 to 50/50. During the winter, an 80/20 kero blend (80% diesel, 20% diesel #1 or kerosene) is a common option, although it is more expensive than regular diesel.
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$13.99 $17.39
Kerosene is more expensive than diesel fuel
Secondly, kerosene is in less demand than diesel, which also affects its price. Diesel is widely used by trucks, generators, and off-road equipment, whereas kerosene is mostly used for heating and in aviation. The lower demand for kerosene means it is produced and sold in smaller quantities, which tends to increase the price per unit.
Additionally, kerosene has a higher boiling point than diesel fuel, making it less volatile and less prone to spontaneous ignition. This higher boiling point is another factor that contributes to kerosene's higher price.
In terms of performance, kerosene has slightly less energy content than diesel fuel, with approximately 135,000 BTU per gallon compared to diesel's 139,000 BTU per gallon. This means that burning a gallon of kerosene will result in slightly less total heat output. Kerosene also has less lubricity than diesel, which can lead to increased wear and tear on fuel pumps and other engine components.
Despite the price difference, kerosene and diesel fuel are sometimes used interchangeably, especially in colder climates. Kerosene is often blended with diesel fuel during the winter months to improve cold weather operability and reduce the likelihood of the fuel gelling in cold temperatures. This blend can be more cost-effective than using a cold flow polymer, but it does result in a small decrease in engine power and fuel economy.
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Frequently asked questions
Kerosene, also known as paraffin or lamp oil, is a clear, colourless liquid derived from petroleum. It is used as a fuel for lamps, small engines, heating and cooking. It has a high flash point, making it less likely to spontaneously ignite than other fuels.
#1 diesel fuel, also known as Kero or Kerosene, is a lighter diesel oil than #2 diesel fuel. It has a lower density and flash point than #2 diesel fuel. Kerosene has less lubricity than #2 diesel, which can cause issues with fuel pumps.
While kerosene and #1 diesel fuel are similar, they are not exactly the same. Kerosene is a more refined fuel with fewer impurities than #2 diesel. Kerosene is sometimes blended with #1 diesel fuel in winter to improve cold weather operability.
Kerosene has an average BTU content of approximately 133,500-135,000 per gallon, while #1 diesel fuel has an average BTU content of approximately 139,000-139,500 per gallon.
Kerosene is typically around 20 to 40 cents more expensive per gallon than #1 diesel fuel.
