Kerosene

Kerosene is a refined petroleum distillate consisting of a homogeneous mixture of hydrocarbons. It is used mainly in wick-fed illuminating lamps and kerosene burners. Oil for illumination and for domestic stoves must be high in paraffin to give low smoke. The presence of naphthenic and especially aromatic hydrocarbons increases the smoking tendency. A ‘smoke point’ specification is a measure of flame height at which the tip becomes smoky. The ‘smoke point’ is about 73 mm for paraffin, 34 mm for naphthalene and 7.5 mm for aromatics and mixtures.

Low sulphur content is necessary in kerosene because

• Sulphur forms a bloom on glass lamp chimneys and promotes carbon formation on wicks.
• Sulphur forms oxides in heating stoves. These swell, are corrosive and toxic, creating a health hazard, particularly in non-vented stoves.