Kerosene

Kerosene or paraffin is a colorless flammable hydrocarbon liquid. It is obtained from the fractional distillation of petroleum at 150°C and 275°C (the C₁₂ to C₁₅ range). At one time it was widely used in kerosene lamps but it is now mainly used as a fuel for jet engines. The name kerosene is derived from the Greek word keros (κερωσ, wax).

Typically kerosene directly distilled from crude oil requires some treatment, either in a Merox unit or a hydrotreater, to reduce its sulfur content and its corrosiveness. These days kerosene can also partly come from a hydrocracker, which is used to upgrade the parts of crude oil that would otherwise only be good for fuel oil.

Its use as a cooking fuel is mostly restricted to less developed countries, where it is usually less refined and contains impurities and even debris.

Jet engine fuel, also called avtur or aviation turbine fuel, is kerosene that meets more stringent specifications, in particular the smoke point and the freeze point.

Common names

• coal oil
• kerosene (United States and Australia)
• kerosine
• paraffin (United Kingdom and South Africa)

ja:ケロシン