Editing Kerosene (section)

== Properties and grades ==
Kerosene is a low-[[viscosity]], clear liquid formed from hydrocarbons obtained from the [[fractional distillation]] of [[petroleum]] between {{Convert|150 and 275|C||round=5}}, resulting in a mixture with a [[density]] of 0.78–0.81 g/cm<sup>3</sup>. It is [[miscible]] with [[:Category:Hydrocarbon_solvents|petroleum solvents]], but not with water. It is composed of [[hydrocarbon]] molecules that typically contain between 6-20 [[carbon]] atoms per [[molecule]],<ref>{{cite book|first=Chris|last=Collins|title=Phytoremediation |chapter=Implementing Phytoremediation of Petroleum Hydrocarbons |series=Methods in Biotechnology |year=2007|volume=23|issue=23|pages=99–108|publisher=Humana Press|isbn=978-1-58829-541-5|doi=10.1007/978-1-59745-098-0_8}}</ref> predominantly containing 9 to 16 carbon atoms.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Shepherd |first1=J.E. |last2=Nuyt |first2=C.D. |last3=Lee |first3=J.J. |title=Flash Point and Chemical Composition of Aviation Kerosene (Jet A) |journal=Graduate Aeronautical Laboratories |date=2 March 2000 |volume=California Institute of Technology |url=https://authors.library.caltech.edu/25832/1/galcit_fm99-4.pdf |access-date=16 February 2020 |archive-date=26 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226204920/https://authors.library.caltech.edu/25832/1/galcit_fm99-4.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

Regardless of crude oil source or processing history, kerosene's major components are branched- and straight-chain [[alkane]]s (hydrocarbon chains) and [[naphthene]]s (cycloalkanes), which normally account for at least 70% of volume. [[Aromatic hydrocarbon]]s such as [[alkylbenzene]]s (single ring) and alkylnaphthalenes (double ring), do not normally exceed 25% by volume of kerosene streams. [[Olefin]]s are usually not present at more than 5% by volume.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kerosene/Jet Fuel Assessment Document |url=http://www.epa.gov/hpv/pubs/summaries/kerjetfc/c15020ad2.pdf |work=EPA |access-date=28 October 2016 |author=American Institute of Petroleum |page=8 |date=September 2010  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228144933/http://www.epa.gov/hpv/pubs/summaries/kerjetfc/c15020ad2.pdf |archive-date=28 February 2014 }}</ref>

The [[heat of combustion]] of kerosene is similar to that of [[diesel fuel]]; its [[lower heating value]] is 43.1 [[megajoule|MJ]]/[[kilogram|kg]] (around 18,500 [[British thermal unit|Btu]]/[[Pound (mass)|lb]]), and its [[higher heating value]] is {{Convert|46.2|MJ/kg|Btu/lb|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{Cite book
| title = Combustion Science and Engineering
| first = Kalyan | last = Annamalai
| author2=Ishwar Kanwar Puri
| publisher = CRC Press
| year = 2006
| page =  851
| isbn = 978-0-8493-2071-2
}}</ref>

[[ASTM International]] recognizes two grades of kerosene: 1-K (less than 0.04% [[sulfur]] by weight) and 2-K (0.3% sulfur by weight).<ref> {{Cite web |title=Standard Specification for Kerosine |url=https://www.astm.org/d3699-19.html |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=[[ASTM International]] |language=en}}</ref> Grade 1-K kerosene burns cleaner with fewer deposits, fewer toxins, and less frequent maintenance than 2-K, and is the preferred grade for indoor heaters and stoves.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Baldwin's Ohio Monthly Record|title=1301:7-5-10 Fuel for kerosene heaters|volume=2|year=1984|publisher=Banks-Baldwin Law. |page=1109}}</ref>

In the United Kingdom, two grades of heating oil are defined. BS 2869 Class C1 is the lightest grade used for lanterns, camping stoves, and wick heaters, and mixed with petrol in some vintage combustion engines as a substitute for [[tractor vaporizing oil]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=KEROSENE |url=https://www.eworldtrade.com/pd/udpetro/kerosene/690312/ |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=eWorldTrade.com |language=en |archive-date=18 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418111502/https://www.eworldtrade.com/pd/udpetro/kerosene/690312/ |url-status=live }}</ref> BS 2869 Class C2 is a heavier distillate, which is used as domestic heating oil. Premium kerosene is usually sold in 5- or 20-litre containers from hardware, camping and garden stores, and is often dyed purple. Standard kerosene is usually dispensed in bulk by a tanker and is undyed.

National and international standards define the properties of several grades of kerosene used for [[jet fuel]]. Flash point and freezing point properties are particularly interesting for operation and safety; the standards also define additives for control of [[static electricity]] and other purposes.

=== Melting, freeze and flash points ===
Kerosene is liquid around [[room temperature]]: {{Convert|25|C|F}}. The [[flash point]] of kerosene is between {{Convert|37|C|F}} and {{Convert|65|C|F}}, and its [[autoignition temperature]] is {{convert|220|C|F|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kerosene |url=http://www.inchem.org/documents/icsc/icsc/eics0663.htm |access-date=10 June 2009 |archive-date=29 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090429122421/http://www.inchem.org/documents/icsc/icsc/eics0663.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The freezing point of kerosene depends on grade, with commercial aviation fuel standardized at {{convert|-47|C|F|abbr=on}}.

Grade 1-K kerosene freezes around −40&nbsp;°C (−40&nbsp;°F, 233 K).<ref>{{cite web |date=4 August 2015 |title=Ask.com |url=http://www.ask.com/science/freezing-point-kerosene-52221b0bdd2ecc07 |access-date=14 December 2015 |archive-date=22 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222154427/http://www.ask.com/science/freezing-point-kerosene-52221b0bdd2ecc07 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File: Al-RaziInGerardusCremonensis1250.JPG|thumb|upright|Persian scholar [[Rhazes|Rāzi]] (or Rhazes) was the first to distil kerosene in the ninth century. He is depicted here in a manuscript by [[Gerard of Cremona]].]]