Diesel and kerosene are both hydrocarbons that are used to heat homes, power vehicles, and generate electricity. While they share some similarities, there are also key differences between the two fuels. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at those differences.
What is Kerosene?
- Kerosene is a type of petroleum-based fuel that has been used around the world for centuries. Kerosene consists of a number of hydrocarbons, as well as volatile organic compounds, and has a pale yellow color.
- Kerosene is notable for its low volatility and for its high flash point, making it safer to handle and transport. Kerosene’s qualities make it suitable for use in heating, cooking, lamps, and jet engines.
- Along with powering many types of machinery, Kerosene also has uses in the production of waxes, lubricants, and detergents. Kerosene’s various uses provide an essential source of energy to people everywhere.
What is Diesel?
Diesel fuel is a petroleum-based fuel sourced primarily from crude oil. Diesel engines use this fuel as a combustible source of energy, which results in higher thermal efficiency than other fuel sources. Diesel has a wide range of applications, from delivery trucks to industrial generators, and all the way up to massive semi-trailers.
Diesel is generally easier to obtain than gasoline because of its high stability, but this also means it requires more refining before becoming usable. Diesel’s reliability and ease of production make it an efficient and cost-effective source of energy for our transportation needs.
Difference between Kerosene and Diesel
Kerosene and diesel are both petroleum-based fuels but there are numerous differences between them.
- Kerosene is a refined fuel derived from either crude oils or gas liquids, while diesel is a light distillate made up of hydrocarbons.
- Kerosene has higher emissions than diesel when burned, and it has a much lower ignition point of 280 degrees Fahrenheit compared to diesel which requires temperatures as high as 500 degrees Fahrenheit in order for combustion to occur.
- Kerosene is perfect for camping stoves and lanterns since it does not produce noticeable soot or odor when it burns, unlike diesel fuel; however, diesel usually has higher energy content resulting in longer burn times as opposed to Kerosene.
Additionally, Kerosene’s viscosity tends to be less than that of Diesel, making Kerosene easier to pump and transport through pipes. All in all, Kerosene and Diesel come with their own sets of advantages and disadvantages depending upon individual use cases.
Conclusion
The main difference is that kerosene is a hydrocarbon while diesel fuel contains more oxygen. This means that kerosene has a higher ignition point than diesel fuel, making it less likely to ignite if there is a spark. Additionally, kerosene produces less sulfur dioxide emissions when burned, making it a more environmentally-friendly choice for consumers.
