Kerosine

(materials) A refined petroleum fraction used as a fuel for heating and cooking, jet engines, lamps, and weed burning and as a base for insecticides; specific gravity is about 0.8; components are mostly paraffinic and naphthenic hydrocarbons in the C₁₀ to C₁₄ range. Also known as lamp oil.

A refined petroleum fraction used as a fuel for heating and cooking, jet engines, lamps, and as a base for insecticides. Kerosine, known also as lamp oil, is recovered from crude oil by distillation. Specifications are established for specific grades of kerosine by government agencies and by refiners. For use in lamps, for example, a highly paraffinic oil is desired because aromatics and naphthenes give a smoky flame. In order to avoid atmospheric pollution, sulfur content must be low; and a minimum flash point of 100°F (38°C) is desirable to reduce explosion hazards. See also Jet fuel.