If you go about on the internet, you can come across a forum question like this:
In most cases, the responses are mixed. ‘Don’t worry, you’ll be OK,’ said half of the people. “Watch out for ________,” the other half will warn.
Regular diesel is referred to as #2 diesel fuel oil, whereas kerosene is referred to as #1 diesel fuel oil. Some people believe it is similar enough to conventional (#2) diesel fuel that they may try to use it interchangeably. What would motivate them to do so, and what problems may they face?
What Makes Kerosene What It Is
The qualities of kerosene determine what happens when it is burned. Because kerosene is a lighter diesel oil than #2, it is referred to as #1 diesel. Because of its smaller weight, it has somewhat less energy – roughly 135,000 BTU per gallon vs. 139,000 BTU for #2.
Aromatic compounds are often concentrated in #2 and heavier diesel fuel oils; kerosene does not have extremely significant levels of them. This is one of the reasons why #2 diesel burns drier and with less lubricity than kerosene.
Drier burn
The most prevalent worry is kerosene’s dry burn, which can harm gasoline pumps. In comparison to #2 diesel, kerosene has extremely little lubricity. When running on kerosene, gasoline pumps without lubricity suffer a lot of wear and may burn out. Additional wearable pieces, such as rings, gaskets, and valves, are mentioned by some. Adding some automatic transmission fluid to the kerosene is a simple cure for this. In this case, 2-cycle oil can also be used.
Hotter burn?
Some will argue that kerosene burns hotter than #2 diesel, resulting in worries about rings being burned out. Others argue that because kerosene has a lower energy value, it will not burn at a higher temperature.
The fact that kerosene has less total energy than #2 is undeniable. However, having less total energy simply means that a gallon of kerosene produces less total heat than a gallon of standard on-road diesel.
Kerosene has a lower viscosity than gasoline, which allows it to burn at a higher temperature in an engine.
Cutting Diesel with Kerosene
Kerosene can be combined with diesel fuel for a few advantages. Kerosene is particularly beneficial in the winter for modifying the cold weather handling temperatures of diesel fuel. The rule of thumb is that adding ten percent kerosene to a diesel fuel blend lowers the cold filter plugging point by five degrees. It may be more cost effective to use kerosene as a mixer than than a cold flow polymer in extremely cold climates.
To reduce emissions, kerosene and #2 are mixed together. According to the theory, kerosene “burns cleaner” than #2, resulting in lesser pollutants.
Can you substitute diesel for kerosene?
Yes, diesel can be used in a kerosene heater. Kerosene heaters are multi-fuel heaters that can operate on a variety of fuels, including diesel. In a kerosene heater, you can even use pure vegetable oil! However, some fuels operate better in a kerosene heater than others.
Is there a difference between kerosene and diesel?
What’s the difference between kerosene and diesel fuel? Diesel is a solid molecular structure with 34 hydrogen and 16 carbon atoms that is utilized as a fuel. Kerosene, on the other hand, does not have a fixed structure; rather, it is made up of hydrocarbon chains ranging from 12 to 15 carbon atoms.
Is it better to burn kerosene or diesel?
Because kerosene has a lower viscosity than diesel, it burns hotter. This can assist heat the house, but it can also cause issues if the heater isn’t designed to manage heat that’s hotter than regular heating oil heat. The heat from a kerosene heater may readily heat a standard home in a warm environment if your furnace is suitable for kerosene, according to “The Decatur Daily News.” When diesel is unavailable, kerosene heating oil K-1 is typically utilized; nevertheless, it is more expensive than its diesel cousin. Installing a fuel oil heater also makes it comparable to standard No. 1 heating oil, which is useful if you choose to swap oils later.
What can be used instead of kerosene?
Lamp-Specific Substitutes Lamps can be filled with generic lamp oil instead of kerosene. Lamp oil is typically more expensive than kerosene, but it burns cleaner and has a lower odor. Citronella oil can be used in wick lamps, although it produces more smoke and soot and fouls wicks more quickly.
Is jet fuel a kerosene?
Aviation fuels are fuels that are used to propel planes. Four different aviation fuels are distinguished on a basic level:
Jet fuel (also known as JP-1A) is used in civil aviation turbine engines (jet engines and turboprops) all over the world. This is a light petroleum that has been finely refined. Kerosene is the fuel type. Jet A-1 has a flash point of more than 38 degrees Celsius and a freezing value of -47 degrees Celsius. Jet A is a similar kerosene fuel that is typically exclusively accessible in the United States.
Aviation fuel is blended with extremely minute amounts of numerous additives after it has been refined. These additives, among other things, keep the gasoline from igniting uncontrollably, preventing deposits from developing in the turbine, and keeping the aviation fuel from getting electrically charged. In aviation fuel, there are also chemicals that restrict the growth of microbes. Other additives help to keep the jet fuel from freezing: At cruising altitude, the air temperature is frequently below -30°C (-22°F), and aviation fuel freezing might be fatal. Under the designation Jet Propellant 8, NATO military aircraft utilize the same airplane fuel — with even more sophisticated additions (JP-8).
Jet fuel is subject to very extensive, internationally regulated quality criteria due to the high demands of aircraft engines.
Military jets use this type of aviation fuel. Because it is more flammable with a flash point of 20°C and a freezing point of -72°C (as compared to -47°C for Jet A-1), this special blend (grade Jet B, also known as JP-4) of about 65 percent gasoline and 35 percent kerosene is used in regions with particularly low temperatures because it is more flammable with a flash point of 20°C and a freezing point of -72°C (as compared to The engines, on the other hand, must be able to run on these aviation fuels.
Aviation gasoline is abbreviated as avgas. This aviation gasoline is often exclusively used in older piston engines found in sports aircraft and tiny private planes that require high-octane leaded fuel. These standards are met by Avgas, which is a leaded gasoline with a 100 octane rating. Only avgas is used globally.
Is it illegal to use kerosene in your car?
It is dependent on the engine you have. Kerosene burns cleanly in most diesel engines and does not affect them. In reality, kerosene is an acceptable fuel in many contemporary diesel engines. Kerosene is produced through a distillation process, making it a pure fuel. This signifies it doesn’t contain any additives like diesel. As a result, kerosene burns cooler than diesel and lacks the lubricating additives found in diesel. This means that if you use kerosene in your diesel engine, it will place a strain on your injector pump unless you use the proper lubrication. Add a quart of Marvel Mystery Oil to every twenty gallons of kerosene in your tank to achieve this. Kerosene should not be used in a diesel engine unless it is listed as an acceptable fuel in the owner’s manual or you have confirmed with the manufacturer.
Can I put kerosene in my oil tank?
The most difficult aspect of complying with these new standards for Vermont residents is that many older homes have tanks that were placed before any of the new laws were ever considered. Many causes cause older tanks to deteriorate over time. A heating oil tank’s usual lifespan is around 20 years, and it should be changed well before a problem arises.
Corrosion that has happened somewhere in the tank is the cause of many oil tank leaks. Corrosion is usually caused by a buildup of water in the tank owing to condensation. When the tank is not kept full and the temperature outside fluctuates, this happens. Corrosion often occurs on the interior of the tank, so even if your tank appears to be in good condition on the exterior, it may have considerable corrosion on the inside.
In Vermont, the most common oil tanks hold 275 gallons of oil or kerosene. If you have a larger home, two tanks can be connected to provide double the capacity. Oil tanks should not be installed outdoors or in unheated spaces such as garages in cold climates like Vermont. This is because heating oil begins to congeal about 20°F and will not flow to the burner at lower temperatures. A heated basement with ample of air circulation is the best spot for a heating oil tank.
Because kerosene has a lower “gel point” than heating oil, it can be stored in outside tanks. Space heaters or furnaces that burn kerosene supplied from external tanks heat many condominiums and mobile houses.
One of the most essential aspects of the new laws is that homeowners must now have their oil tanks formally evaluated by a trained inspector every three years. Before distributing fuel to a new customer, fuel suppliers must inspect the homeowner’s fuel tank. For a tank to be considered safe, it must meet these five criteria “Delivery Acceptable”:
1. The tank’s four legs are all on a solid basis.
2. There are no cracks, severe corrosion, pitting, rust, dents, or bulges in the tank or tank legs, and there are no drips or leaks in any tank fuel filters, fittings, or valves, or any other sign of an actual or suspected leak.
3. All tank gasoline lines buried in earth or concrete (below grade) are covered with a plastic coating OR a non-corrodible protective sleeve.
4. The tank must have a vent alarm or be equipped with one “whistle” that is visible from the fill pipe and ends within 12 feet.
5. Both the fill and exhaust pipes must have a diameter of at least 1-1/4 inches. A liquid-tight cap must be used on the fill pipe, and a weatherproof and insect-proof cap must be used on the vent pipe.
If any of these elements are not in order, the Inspector will remove the tank from service and issue a warning “The Red Tag.” A+ “The “Red Tag” informs all fuel dealers as well as the state of Vermont that the tank is not compliant and that changes to the tank or pipes are required before any gasoline dealer can make a delivery. The State of Vermont keeps track of red-tagged tanks in a public database. If your tank has been red-tagged, the Inspector will remove the red tag, delete the tank from the State database, and your gasoline dealer may resume deliveries once the tank has been repaired or replaced and re-inspected.
During their estimated twenty-year lifespan, oil tanks require very minimal maintenance. For oil-fired heating, we recommend an annual tune-up and oil line filter change. This will maintain your burner clean of any solids that may have accumulated in the tank’s bottom. If you notice any of the following symptoms outside of an annual tune-up, contact a technician:
Keep your oil or kerosene tank full during the summer months to help extend the life of the tank, especially if it’s an outside tank. Condensation and water build-up, which is one of the main causes of oil tank corrosion, are reduced as a result.
If you have an underground oil tank that has been submerged for more than twenty years, you should think about replacing it with a new basement tank. Vermont’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) offers up to $3,000 in grants to Vermont residents for the expense of removing, replacing, or upgrading both underground and above ground household heating oil tanks through the Petroleum Clean-Up Fund.
If your home has been converted to natural gas, you must remove your oil tank at the time of conversion, according to the requirements. To decrease the risk of fuel spillage, make sure the tank is as empty as possible before removing it. So, if you’re making the switch, try to burn as much of the remaining fuel in your tank as possible before installing a new system.
https://dec.vermont.gov/waste-management/storage-tanks/tank-removal-financial-assistance
https://dec.vermont.gov/waste-management/storage-tanks/tank-removal-financial-assistance/ast-removal