What's the difference between gasoline, kerosene, diesel, etc?

The "crude oil" pumped out of the ground is a black liquid called petroleum. This liquid contains aliphatic hydrocarbons, or hydrocarbons composed of nothing but hydrogen and carbon. The carbon atoms link together in chains of different lengths.

It turns out that hydrocarbon molecules of different lengths have different properties and behaviors. For example, a chain with just one carbon atom in it (CH₄) is the lightest chain, known as methane. Methane is a gas so light that it floats like helium. As the chains get longer, they get heavier.

The first four chains -- CH₄ (methane), C₂H₆ (ethane), C₃H₈ (propane) and C₄H₁₀ (butane) -- are all gases, and they boil at -161, -88, -46 and -1 degrees F, respectively (-107, -67, -43 and -18 degrees C). The chains up through C₁₈H₃₂ or so are all liquids at room temperature, and the chains above C₁₉ are all solids at room temperature.

So what's the real chemical difference between gasoline, kerosene and diesel? It has to do with their boiling points.

Carbon Chains in Petroleum Products

The different chain lengths have progressively higher boiling points, so they can be separated out by distillation. This is what happens in an oil refinery -- crude oil is heated and the different chains are pulled out by their vaporization temperatures. (See How Oil Refining Works for details.)

The chains in the C₅, C₆ and C₇ range are all very light, easily vaporized, clear liquids called naphthas. They are used as solvents -- dry cleaning fluids can be made from these liquids, as well as paint solvents and other quick-drying products.

The chains from C₇H₁₆ through C₁₁H₂₄ are blended together and used for gasoline. All of them vaporize at temperatures below the boiling point of water. That's why if you spill gasoline on the ground it evaporates very quickly.

Next is kerosene, in the C₁₂ to C₁₅ range, followed by diesel fuel and heavier fuel oils (like heating oil for houses).

Next come the lubricating oils. These oils no longer vaporize in any way at normal temperatures. For example, engine oil can run all day at 250 degrees F (121 degrees C) without vaporizing at all. Oils go from very light (like 3-in-1 oil) through various thicknesses of motor oil through very thick gear oils and then semi-solid greases. Vasoline falls in there as well.

Chains above the C₂₀ range form solids, starting with paraffin wax, then tar and finally asphaltic bitumen, which is used to make asphalt roads.

All of these different substances come from crude oil. The only difference is the length of the carbon chains!

Still curious about petroleum uses and processing? Check out the links on the next page for related articles and quizzes to test your knowledge.

Kerosene FAQ

Are kerosene and gasoline the same?

Kerosene is much less volatile than gasoline, with a flash point temperature of 100 degrees F. On the other hand, gasoline (or petrol) is extremely flammable with a flash point temperature of -40 degrees F.

What is kerosene used for?

Kerosene is mainly used in furnaces, domestic heaters and kerosene lamps. It is also used as fuel for jet engine components and to dissolve pesticides and greases.

What is the difference between diesel and kerosene?

Diesel is used as fuel and has a solid molecular structure, consisting of 34 hydrogen and 16 carbon atoms. On the other hand, kerosene isnâ€™t composed of a rigid structure; rather it is a composition of hydrocarbon chains that go from 12 to 15 carbon atoms.

What are the disadvantages of kerosene?

One of the major disadvantages of kerosene is that it contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, it is non-renewable oil, which means it cannot be reused or recycled. Frequent exposure to kerosene fumes may damage the skin and lead to lung diseases. Also, if you spill kerosene on the floor, its smell wonâ€™t go off easily. Even with hard scrubbing, it can stay for a long period of time.

Does kerosene evaporate?

Under normal temperature conditions, kerosene does not evaporate so it can be stored for a long time.

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