What are the different kinds of fuels?

Answer 1

Coleman® Fuel

Also called white gas or camping fuel, you can't beat it for camping in the winter or at high altitude. Burns hot even at subzero temperatures. And unlike butane and propane, output doesn't falter as temperatures drop. Coleman® Fuel is very refined, and burns hotter and cleaner than other liquid fuels. It's relatively inexpensive and not difficult to come by. By carrying the fuel in small refillable fuel bottles, you don't have the disposal considerations you do with empty propane or butane cylinders. But unlike appliances that use those fuels, you do need to fill liquid-fuel appliances. And for steady output, they need to be pumped occasionally to maintain pressure within the fuel tank.

Main advantages: heat output and economy.

Butane/Propane Fuel

Butane/Propane mix canisters are lightweight, resealable, and easily connect to stoves and lanterns. Most canister appliances are lightweight and simple to use, so if you are a backpacker who counts ounces and appreciates convenience this fuel is for you. Downsides are that canisters can't be recycled, and in subfreezing temperatures, the fuel does not perform well. Or at all. Cold temperatures affect the pressure in the canister, so performance is best in mild to moderate conditions, You'll find this fuel in specialty and sporting goods stores under several brand names.

Main advantages: convenience and light weight.

Powermax™ Fuel

Coleman's exclusive high-performance butane/propane blend dramatically extends the operational range of backpacking appliances. High altitude and incredible cold don't phase this fuel. It's delivered via a liquid withdraw system that ensures consistent output, even when the fuel level in the canister is low. No fighting the drop-offs you get with propane and butane canisters, which rely on vapor pressure. Each Powermax™ cartridge has a resealable connection so that you can detach the cartridge to pack it, then reattach it later. No fuel goes to waste. And canisters are recyclable. You'll either need to look for Powermax® Fuel in specialty and sporting goods stores, or purchase it from mail-order and on-line retailers.

Main advantages: Four-season performance and lightweight, recyclable canisters.

Unleaded Gasoline

Our DualFuel™ appliances are made to accommodate automobile fuel. Coleman's modified valving even allows for differences between summer and winter blends. At 1/10 of the cost of propane, unleaded gas is the cheapest of all appliance fuels. And it's available everywhere, of course. In an emergency, you can siphon gas from the tank of your RV or car to use in a DualFuel lantern or stove. Although it's the most economical fuel to use, you'll extend the life of your appliance by using purer Coleman™ Fuel most of the time.

Main advantages: availability and low cost.

Kerosene

Used less now that other fuel options are available, kerosene is economical to use, readily accessible and dependable. Disadvantages are that it's smoky and has a strong smell. Also, kerosene appliances do require priming with a preheat fuel.

Answer 2

Petroleum

• Petroleum is still the number one fuel source used to power industrial nations. Petroleum is also known as crude oil. It is found in large reservoirs throughout the Earth. Petrol is usually taken to a refinery that turns it into usable forms, such as gasoline. It is usually bought in barrel units. Petroleum prices rose from less than $20 a barrel in 1996 to more than $150 by June 2008.

Natural Gas

• Natural gas refers to methane-based gas found in coal beds. It can also be found in landfills, bogs and marshes because of special organisms called methanogens. Before being used as a fuel, natural gas must go through extensive processing to remove all of the other associated chemicals until only the methane is left.

Hydrogen Fuel

• There are chemical reactions that can also produce energy that can be used as fuel. Hydrogen fuel is one example. Oxygen and hydrogen are combined in a proton exchange fuel cell. When the two are chemically combined, they can produce electricity that is used as fuel, creating water and vapors as a byproduct.

Straight Vegetable Oil

• A fast food restaurant leftover, straight vegetable oil (SVO) can also act as a fuel. Special fuel tanks reduce its high viscosity to make it flow better. This fuel cannot be run through standard engines. They must be converted to handle filtered vegetable oil. This includes modifying engines to run at 150 degrees F and 120 degree fuel temperatures.

Ethanol

• Ethanol is a naturally occurring gas that is usually found in small parts with other natural gases. However, ethanol can also be manually produced and used as fuel. Ethanol production includes the fermentation of corn stalks or sugar cane. Although ethanol burns cleaner than traditional gasoline, costs are equivalent to gasoline and fuel efficiency is more than a third less efficient.

There are 5 different types of fuel. The most common is petroleum, or crude oil. Petroleum is mainly refined to make gasoline. Other fuel types include Natural Gas (methane-based), Ethanol (a natural gas), and Hydrogen fuel. There are also plans to make Vegetable Oil a more efficient fuel, although it is not widely prevalent in use due to its inability to be used in unmodified engines.