Kerosene 16992 224519389 2008-07-09T05:56:09Z Slashme 451287 /* Other */ Not to prevent combustion on contact with O2, to prevent contact with O2 which would lead to combustion. {{otheruses}} '''Kerosene''', sometimes spelled '''kerosine''' in scientific and industrial usage,<ref>Webster's New World College Dictionary, ''kerosene''.</ref> is a [[combustible]] [[hydrocarbon]] [[liquid]]. The name is derived from [[Greek (language)|Greek]] "keros" (κηρός [[wax]]). The word "Kerosene" was registered as a trademark by [[Abraham Gesner]] in 1854 and for several years only the North American Gas Light Company and the Downer Company (to which Gesner had granted the right) were allowed to call their lamp oil "kerosene".<ref>{{cite book | last = Asbury | first = Herbert | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = The golden flood: an informal history of America's first oil field | publisher = Alfred A. Knopf | date = 1942 | location = | pages = p. 35 | url = | doi = | id = | isbn = }}</ref> It eventually became [[genericized]]. It is commonly called '''paraffin''' (sometimes '''paraffin oil''') in the [[UK]] and [[South Africa]] (not to be confused with the waxy solid also called paraffin wax or just [[paraffin]], or the much more viscous paraffin oil used as a laxative); the term ''kerosene'' is usual in much of [[Canada]], the [[United States|U.S.]], [[Australia]], and [[New Zealand]].<ref>[[Oxford English Dictionary]], ''kerosene''.</ref> Kerosene is widely used to power [[jet engine|jet-engined]] aircraft, but is also commonly used as a heating fuel. The [[heat of combustion]] of Kerosene is similar to that of [[diesel]]: Its [[Lower Heating Value]] is around 18,500 [[British thermal unit|Btu]]/[[Pound (mass)|lb]], or 43.1 [[megajoule|MJ]]/[[kilogram|kg]], and its [[Higher Heating Value]] is 46.2MJ/kg.<ref>Combustion Science and Engineering By Kalyan Annamalai, Ishwar Kanwar Puri, CRC Press 2007, p851</ref> == Distillation == Kerosene is a thin, clear liquid formed from hydrocarbons, with [[density]] of 0.78-0.81g/cm<sup>3</sup>. Kerosene is obtained from the [[fractional distillation]] of [[petroleum]] between 150&nbsp;°[[Celsius|C]] and 275&nbsp;°C, resulting in a mixture of carbon chains containing 12 to 15 carbon atoms. * Kerosene was first described by [[al-Razi]] (Rhazes) as a [[distillation]] of petroleum in 9th-century [[Baghdad]]. In his ''Kitab al-Asrar'' (''Book of Secrets''), he described two methods for the production of kerosene. One method involved using [[clay]] as an [[absorbent]], whereas the other method involved using [[ammonium chloride]] (''sal ammoniac'').<ref>Zayn Bilkadi ([[University of California, Berkeley]]), "The Oil Weapons", ''[[Saudi Aramco World]]'', January-February 1995, p. 20-27.</ref> * In 1846 Canadian geologist [[Abraham Gesner]] gave a public demonstration in [[Charlottetown]], [[Prince Edward Island]] of a new process he had discovered. He heated coal in a [[retort]] and distilled from it a clear, thin fluid which he showed made an excellent lamp fuel. He coined the name "Kerosene" for his fuel, a contraction of "keroselaion", meaning "wax-oil".<ref name=russell>{{cite book | last = Russell | first = Loris S. | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = A Heritage of Light: Lamps and Lighting in the Early Canadian Home | publisher = University of Toronto Press | date = 2003 | location = | pages = | url = | doi = | id = | isbn = 0802037658}}</ref> The cost of extracting kerosene from coal was, however, high. Fortunately, Gesner recalled from his extensive knowledge of New Brunswick's geology a naturally-occurring [[asphalt]]um called [[Albertite]]. He was however blocked from using it by the New Brunswick coal conglomerate because they had coal extraction rights for the province and he lost a court case when their experts claimed that Albertite was in fact a form of coal.<ref>{{cite book | last = Black | first = Harry | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Canadian Scientists and Inventors | publisher = Pembroke Publishers Limited | date = 1997 | location = | pages = | url = | doi = | id = | isbn = 1551380811}}</ref> Gesner subsequently moved to [[Newton Creek]], [[Long Island]], USA, in 1854, where he secured the backing of a group of businessmen. They formed the North American Gas Light Company, to which he assigned his patents. Despite clear priority of discovery, Gesner did not obtain his first kerosene patent until 1854, two years after [[James Young]]'s US patent. Gesner's method of purifying the distillation products appears to have been superior to Young's, resulting in a cleaner and better smelling fuel. Manufacture of kerosene under the Gesner patents began in New York in 1854 and later in [[Boston]], being distilled from [[bituminous coal]] and [[oil shale]].<ref name=russell/> * In 1848 [[Scotland|Scottish]] chemist [[James Young]] experimented with oil discovered seeping in a coal mine as a source of lubricating oil and illuminating fuel. When the seep became exhausted he experimented with the dry distillation of coal, especially the resinous "Boghead coal" ([[Torbanite]]). He extracted a number of useful liquids from it, one of which he named "paraffine oil" because at low temperatures it congealed into a substance resembling paraffin wax. Young took out a patent on his process and the resulting products in 1850, and built the first truly commercial oil-works in the world at [[Bathgate]] in 1851, using oil extracted from locally-mined Torbanite, shale, and bituminous coal. In 1852 took out a US patent for the same invention. These patents were subsequently upheld in both countries in a series of lawsuits and other producers were obliged to pay him royalties.<ref name=russell/> * [[Ignacy Lukasiewicz]], a [[Poland|Polish]] pharmacist residing in [[Lvov]] had been experimenting with different kerosene distillation techniques, trying to improve on Gesner's process, using local [[seep]] [[petroleum|oil]]. Many people knew of his work but paid little attention to it. On the night of [[July 31]] 1853, doctors at the local hospital needed to perform an emergency operation, virtually impossible by candlelight. They therefore sent a messenger for Luka and his new lamps. The lamp burned so brightly and cleanly that the hospital officials ordered several examples plus a large supply of fuel. Luka realized the potential of his work and quit the pharmacy to find a business partner and then travelled to [[Vienna]] to register his technique with the government. Lukasiewicz moved to the [[Gorlice]] region of Poland in 1854 and sank several wells across southern Poland over the following decade, setting up a refinery near [[Jaslo]] in 1859.<ref>{{cite book | last = Steil | first = Tim | authorlink = | coauthors = Jim Luning | title = Fantastic Filling Stations | publisher = MBI Publishing Company | date = 2002 | location = | pages = pp. 19-20 | url = | doi = | id = | isbn = 0760310645}}</ref> The widespread availability of cheaper kerosene was the principal factor in the precipitous decline in the [[whaling]] industry in the mid- to late-19th century, as the leading product of whaling was oil for lamps. == Uses == [[Image:Kerosene bottle.jpg|right|thumb|Kerosene, which is typically stored in a blue (or blue labeled) container]] ===As a fuel=== ====Heating and Lighting==== At one time the fuel was widely used in [[kerosene lamp]]s and lanterns. While replacing [[whale oil]], it was considered as 'explosive as [[gunpowder]].' In 1880 39% of NYC fires were caused by defective kerosene lamps.<ref>The Good Old Days = They Were Terrible! 394-70941-1</ref> These were superseded by the electric light bulb and [[flashlight]]s powered by [[dry cell]] batteries. Its use as a [[cooking]] fuel is mostly restricted to some [[portable stove]]s for [[Backpacking (wilderness)|backpacker]]s and to [[developing country|less developed countries]], where it is usually less refined and contains impurities and even debris. As a heating fuel, it is often used in portable stoves, and is sold in some [[filling station]]s. It is sometimes used as a heat source during power failures. The use of portable kerosene heaters is not recommended for closed indoor areas without a [[chimney]] due to the danger of build-up of [[carbon monoxide]] gas. Kerosene is widely used in [[Japan]] as a home heating fuel for portable and installed kerosene heaters. In Japan, kerosene can be readily bought at any [[filling station]] or be delivered to homes. In the [[United Kingdom]] and [[Ireland]] kerosene is often used as both a cooking and heating fuel in areas where there is a limited [[Natural gas|gas]] supply. The [[Amish]], who limit use of electric appliances for religious reasons, rely on kerosene for lighting and often purchase kerosene-powered versions of appliances such as [[refrigerators]]. More ubiquitous in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, [[kerosene heater|kerosene space heaters]] were often built into kitchen ranges and kept many farm and fishing families warm and dry through the winter. At one time citrus growers used [[smudge pot]]s fueled by kerosene to create a pall of thick smoke over a grove in an effort to prevent freezing temperatures from damaging crops. "[[Salamander heater|Salamanders]]" are kerosene space heaters used on construction sites to dry out building materials and to warm workers. Before the days of blinking electrically lighted road barriers, highway construction zones were marked at night by kerosene fired pot-bellied torches. Most of these uses of kerosene created thick black smoke because of the low temperature of combustion. A notable exception, discovered in the early 19th century, is the use of a [[Gas mantle|mantle]] above the wick on a kerosene lamp. Looking like a delicate woven bag above the woven cotton wick, the mantle was a residue of mineral material ([[Thorium|thorium dioxide]]) which glowed white hot as it burned the volatile gases emanating from the blue flame at the base of the wick. These types of lamps are still in use today in areas of the world without electricity. ====Transportation==== Today kerosene is mainly used in [[jet fuel|fuel]] for jet engines (more technically ''Avtur'', ''Jet A'', ''Jet A-1'', ''Jet B'', ''[[JP-4]]'', ''[[JP-5]]'', ''[[JP-7]]'' or ''[[JP-8]]''). One form of the fuel known as [[RP-1]] is burned with [[liquid oxygen]] as rocket fuel. These fuel grade kerosenes meet specifications for [[smoke point]]s and [[freeze point]]s. In the mid-20th century, kerosene or "TVO" ([[Tractor vaporising oil|Tractor Vaporising Oil]]) was used as a cheap fuel for tractors. The engine would start on gasoline, then switch over to kerosene once the engine warmed up. A "heat valve" on the manifold would route the exhaust gases around the intake pipe, heating the kerosene to the point where it can be ignited by an electrical spark. Kerosene is sometimes used as an additive in diesel fuel to prevent gelling or waxing in cold temperatures. <ref>[http://www.epa.gov/diesel/presentations/keroseneblding.pdf Kerosene blending (pdf from EPA)]</ref> ====Cooking==== In countries such as India and Japan, kerosene is the main fuel used for cooking, especially by the poor. Kerosene stoves have replaced the traditional wood-based cooking appliances that are unhealthy and inefficient. The price of kerosene can be a major political issue; the Indian government subsidizes the fuel to keep the price very low (around 15 cents/liter as of Feb.2007). ====Cultural/Performance Art==== Kerosene is often used in the entertainment industry for fire performances such as [[Poi (juggling)|poi]] and [[fire dancing]], because of its low flame temperature when burnt in free air, reducing the risk, should the performer come in contact with the flame. Kerosene is not usually used as a fuel for indoor fire-dancing as it produces an unpleasant odour which becomes poisonous in sufficient concentration. [[Methanol]] is often used instead, but it also produces less impressive flames, and it can be a more dangerous fuel because of its lower [[flash point]].{{Fact|date=June 2008}} ===Other=== Kerosene has been used to treat pools of standing water to prevent [[mosquitoes]] from breeding, notably in the [[yellow fever]] outbreak of [[1905]] in [[New Orleans]]. It can also be used to remove [[lice]] from hair, but this practice is painful and potentially very dangerous. Also, this would wash out all natural oil and fats from the hair and scalp. Since kerosene is chemically stable, it is used to store substances with [[redox]] tendencies within to prevent unwanted reactions, such as [[alkali metal]]s. Kerosene is also used in the packaging and storage of [[White phosphorus (weapon)|white phosphorus]] to prevent contact with oxygen, which would lead to immediate combustion. Kerosene can be used to store [[crystals]]. When a water-soluble crystal is left in air, [[dehydration]] may occur slowly. This makes the colour of the crystal become dull. Kerosene can prevent the crystal contacting air. It is used as a [[solvent]] and in conjunction with [[cutting oil]] as a thread cutting and reaming [[lubricant]]. When machining aluminium and its alloys, kerosene on its own is an excellent cutting lubricant. ==See also== *[[Tractor vaporising oil]] ==Notes== {{reflist}} ==External links== {{wiktionary|kerosene}} * [http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/definition/english/ke/kerosene.html Webster Online Dictionary Entry on Kerosene] * [http://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/205/301/ic/cdc/heirloom_series/volume4/136-139.htm Article on Gesner] * [http://www.endtimesreport.com/kerosene_fuel_primer.html Kerosene Fuel Primer] [[Category:Alkanes]] [[Category:Petroleum products]] [[Category:Hydrocarbon solvents]] [[Category:Fuels]] [[Category:Aviation fuels]] [[Category:Coolants]] <!-- interwiki --> [[zh-min-nan:Chhàu-iû]] [[ca:Querosè]] [[cs:Petrolej]] [[da:Petroleum]] [[de:Kerosin]] [[es:Queroseno]] [[eo:Keroseno]] [[fr:Kérosène]] [[hr:Kerozin]] [[id:Minyak tanah]] [[it:Cherosene]] [[he:קרוסן]] [[la:Petroleum]] [[nl:Kerosine]] [[ja:ケロシン]] [[no:Parafin]] [[nn:Parafin]] [[pl:Nafta]] [[pt:Querosene]] [[ru:Керосин]] [[simple:Kerosene]] [[sk:Petrolej]] [[fi:Petroli]] [[sv:Fotogen]] [[ta:மண்ணெய்]] [[th:น้ำมันก๊าด]] [[vi:Dầu hỏa]] [[tr:Gazyağı]] [[zh-yue:火水]] [[zh:煤油]]