Kerosene

Figure 1. A bottle of blue-dyed kerosene.

Kerosene is a flammable liquid mixture of hydrocarbons produced the distillation of crude oil. To produce kerosene, crude oil is distilled in a distillation tower using a process similar to that used to produce diesel fuel and gasoline. Kerosene is a medium-weight distillate produced during the refining process. It can obtained either by directly distilling crude oil (known as straight run kerosene) or by hydrocracking heavier petroleum fractions (known as cracked kerosene). The chemical composition of kerosene is complex, consisting primarily of paraffins (55.2%), naphthenes (40.9%), and aromatic hydrocarbons (3.9%). Kerosene typically contains hydrocarbons with carbon chains ranging from 11 to 13 carbons atoms. Liquid kerosene fuels may contain potentially harmful compounds, including hexane and benzene.

Uses

Kerosene is the primary component of most aviation turbine fuels, accounting for more than 60% of global jet fuel consumption. In addition, kerosene can be used as an fuel in central heating systems and as a cleaning solvent.

Although kerosene use has declined in many regions because of improved access to electricity and cleaner fuels such as natural gas, it is still used extensively in many developing countries for cooking, heating, and lighting. Kerosene is widely used for cooking in many developing countries, particularly in urban areas. Kerosene is often used as a alternative to solid fuels such as biomass, and coal. Kerosene lanterns are also commonly used in areas without reliable access to electricity. It is estimated that approximately 500 million households worldwide use fuels such as kerosene for lighting.

For more information on the importance of access to clean cooking fuels, click here.

Health Risks

The use of kerosene as an fuel in heaters can be dangerous, and as a result it is not commonly used. When in operation, kerosene heaters can reduce indoor air quality by emitting toxic and carcinogenic gases. As a result, kerosene is no longer widely used for home heating in most developed countries.

In many developing countries, the widespread use of kerosene is associated with several health and safety risks. Hazards associated with kerosene use include poisoning, fires, and explosions. In addition, some kerosene lamps emit fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides (NOx), and sulfur dioxide during combustion. These emissions may reduce lung function and increase the risk of respiratory disease, asthma, and certain cancers. Given the health and safety risks associated with kerosene, cleaner fuels and technologies for lighting and cooking should be adopted wherever they are available and affordable.

Climate Issues

In general, kerosene lamps are relatively inefficient and produce harmful by-products during combustion. When kerosene is burned in wick lamps, approximately 7-9% of the fuel consumed is converted into particulate matter composed almost entirely of black carbon, a harmful air pollutant. By comparison, when wood is burned, less than 0.5% of the fuel is converted into black carbon. Reducing black carbon emissions is considered one way to help mitigate climate warming. Because kerosene wick lamps are such a significant source of black carbon emissions, reducing their use could provide environment benefits. Alternatives to kerosene lighting include expanding access to electricity and replacing kerosene lamps with affordable LED lighting.

For Further Reading

• Distillation
• Hydrocarbon cracking
• Jet fuel
• Kerosene lantern
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