Both kerosene and diesel fuel are products of oil refining obtained in two ways – rectification or cracking. Despite this, they have in common – only “origin”, and partly – the field of application as a fuel for different types of internal combustion engines. If we exclude this common “profession” for them, then the rest of the substances mentioned have little in common. This situation is due to differences in the chemical and physical properties of substances. What is the difference between kerosene and diesel fuel, we will consider in more detail.
From the history of the question
The name ” diesel fuel” comes from the German word Solaröl, which means “solar oil”. So back in 1857, they called the heavy fraction, which was obtained during the distillation of oil. Later, it began to be used as a fuel for low-speed diesel engines, the principle of which is to ignite the working mixture (diesel fuel and air) in the combustion chamber under very high pressure. Today, the main areas of application of such engines are the following:
- agriculture (combines, tractors, etc.);
- motor vehicles (a significant part of buses, trucks, some cars);
- railway transport (different types of diesel locomotives);
- part of military equipment (tanks, some other vehicles);
- stationary power plants.
The difference between kerosene and diesel fuel is that since the middle of the 19th century it has been used as a fuel for lighting devices (kerosene lamps). Unlike the substances previously used for these purposes, kerosene burned completely, leaving no soot, did not pollute the lamps and did not give an unpleasant odor. High purity of combustion was appreciated, so later kerosene found application as rocket and aviation fuel. In addition, kerosene is used in many industries, and not always as fuel for engines. Scopes of its application:
- raw materials for the chemical industry;
- firing of glass and porcelain items;
- household heating and lighting devices (kerosene stoves, stoves, lamps, and so on);
- a solvent;
- in folk medicine – a remedy for the treatment of head lice and diphtheria;
- Previously, furniture was wiped with kerosene to fight bedbugs.
Comparison
Kerosene is a mixture of hydrocarbons, the boiling point of which is from 150 to 250 degrees Celsius. It is a slightly oily to the touch transparent liquid, some of its varieties may have a yellowish color. Density at 200C – 0.75-0.85 g / cm3. Kerosene evaporates very easily, which determines the completeness of its combustion. Increased requirements are imposed on containers for its storage, since kerosene vapors are explosive.
Diesel fuel on average is slightly heavier than kerosene – from 0.84 to 0.86 g / cm3. It hardly evaporates, making it much easier to store it. When the temperature drops to negative values, the diesel fuel thickens, so there is a distinction between summer and winter diesel fuel. Drivers of cars with a diesel engine are well aware that summer diesel fuel in winter, when it is very cold, acquires a jelly-like consistency and starting the engine in this case is a big problem. Previously, motorists found a way out by heating the fuel tank with external sources (for example, a blowtorch), which is very dangerous due to the possibility of fuel ignition. Now they produce winter diesel fuel, which differs from summer diesel in lower density and lower temperature of thickening.
Table
The answer to the question, what is the difference between kerosene and diesel fuel, will be as follows: a different composition and mainly different areas of application. The compact table summarizes the differences between these distillation products.
Kerosene | Diesel fuel | |
Production | Obtaining from oil by rectification or cracking | Obtaining from oil by rectification or cracking |
Density | Various grades of kerosene – 0.75-0.85 g / cm3 | Summer diesel fuel – 0.86 g / cm3, winter diesel fuel – 0.84 g / cm3, diesel oil for use in the Arctic – 0.83 g / cm3 |
Combustible properties | highly flammable, as a result of which it provides high cleanliness of combustion | Ignites in engines when high pressure is created; under normal conditions it burns, but the combustion is calm, not explosive |
Scope, except for fuel for internal combustion engines | For refueling lighting (lamps) and heating (stoves, kerosene stoves) devices, as a solvent, as well as in folk medicine | Leather treatment, metalworking, as a component of a liquid for hardening metals |
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