What are the common differences between gasoline vs kerosene?
Gasoline is a flammable liquid mainly used as fuel for spark-ignited internal combustion engines, while kerosene is a petroleum-based thin and colourless fuel.
Compared to gasoline, kerosene is a less flammable liquid mainly used as fuel in aviation and homes as lamp oil. Both are products of crude oil but they differ in their boiling points.
The process involved in producing these fuels is by heating crude oil to different temperatures. Kerosene is a pale yellow or colourless fuel that can also be used as a solvent for greases and insecticides.
We have discussed more about the differences between gasoline and kerosene in this article.
Gasoline
Gasoline is a common term used to describe a petroleum product that is a highly flammable liquid generally used as a fuel for spark-ignited internal combustion engines. It’s a flammable liquid consisting of a mixture of refined petroleum hydrocarbons.
It’s also referred to as gas (American) or petrol. It was first produced by distillation- separating the valuable fractions of crude.
According to Wikipedia, when gasoline is formulated as a fuel for engines, it’s chemically composed of organic compounds derived from the fractional distillation of petroleum and chemically enhanced with gasoline additives.
Gasoline was initially a by-product of the petroleum industry before it became a reliable fuel for automobiles. With its high-energy combustion, gasoline became the preferred automobile fuel.
Gasoline is a highly flammable liquid that emits about 2.3 kilograms (5.1 pounds) of carbon monoxide for every single litre burnt. It contains known carcinogens and can enter the Earth’s environment as an un-combusted liquid fuel.
Burning gasoline is harmful to the environment as oil production is responsible for approximately 32% of CO2 emissions across the world in 2021.
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Kerosene
Kerosene is a flammable hydrocarbon liquid that is derived from petroleum. It’s a yellow or colourless fuel that is mainly used as fuel in aviation and in homes to light kerosene lamps and domestic furnaces or heaters.
This combustible hydrocarbon liquid is also called paraffin. It’s a sustainable hydrocarbon liquid used to power jet engines and rocket engines. Kerosene can also be used as a solvent for greases and insecticides.
Kerosene is known as a reliable fuel source for cooking. It’s used mainly for cooking in rural areas across the world and it’s also used as a lighting fuel.
In some parts of Asia, they sometimes use kerosene as fuel to operate small outboard motors or motorcycles. According to Wikipedia, recent statistics show the total kerosene consumption for all purposes worldwide is about 5.5 million barrels per day.
While people in the United Kingdom, Norway, Chile, South Africa, and Eastern Africa prefer to use the term “paraffin”, kerosene remains the preferred term in places such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Nigeria, India, and Argentina.
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Gasoline vs Kerosene: Key Difference between Gasoline vs Kerosene
Gasoline and kerosene are flammable liquids derived from crude oil. Kerosene is a less flammable liquid compared to gasoline.
Kerosene is more of an everyday and easy-to-use refined petroleum product. It’s a reliable fuel source used in the aviation industry, in jet engines and rocket engines.
One of the main differences between gasoline and kerosene is the boiling point of the petroleum product. The boiling point for gasoline is lower compared to that of kerosene.
However, this can vary depending on the hydrocarbon composition of the fuel. Based on the type of gasoline, the boiling point ranges from 35 to 250 degrees Celsius.
The process of producing gasoline involves heating crude oil to a given temperature. Gasoline is initially in the gaseous state and is allowed to cool in a chamber to form a flammable liquid as fuel.
By increasing the temperature of the oil, gasoline is released followed by kerosene.
Another major difference between gasoline and kerosene is the number of atoms per molecule.
Gasoline is a flammable and lighter hydrocarbon mixture that ranges from 4 to 12 carbon atoms per molecule. In contrast, kerosene is a less flammable and moderate-weight hydrocarbon mixture ranging from 10 to 16 atoms per molecule.
Unlike kerosene, gasoline gas has a much lower point and this makes it a highly flammable liquid that requires extra care to handle. This is the main reason gasoline is used as a fuel for spark-ignition engines.
In contrast, kerosene is mainly used in compression-ignition engines, like those in diesel engines.
Gasoline vs Kerosene: More Differences
The chemical makeup of these two petroleum products is another difference between them.
Kerosene is a combustible hydrocarbon liquid with a higher molecular weight and a lower octane rating compared to gasoline. This simply means that kerosene has a lower energy density and it’s less efficient than gasoline.
Kerosene is a less refined petroleum product compared to gasoline. It contains contaminants and impurities that are likely to affect its performance as a fuel source.
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Gasoline vs Kerosene: Comparison Chart
| Gasoline | Kerosene | |
| Primary use | Reliable fuel for vehicles that require horsepower over torque and strength. | Reliable fuel source for jet engines, rocket engines, lamps and domestic furnaces or heaters. |
| Boiling point | Lower boiling point | Higher boiling point |
| Volatility | Highly volatile | Less volatile |
| Historical significance | Became vital with automobile popularity in the 20th century. | Was a reliable petroleum product used for lighting before the invention of the electric bulb. |
| Safety risk | Has a higher risk of fire or causing an explosion | Lower risk of fire |
Gasoline vs Kerosene: A Table of Comparison
| Gasoline | Kerosene |
| Low oil heating temperature for fuel extraction | A higher degree of oil heating to extract fuel |
| Short chains of atoms | Long hydrocarbon formations |
| Not used at homes | Safe to use for domestic purposes |
| High level of fire hazard, instantaneous ignition | Illuminates slowly |
| Used in engines with a forced start from a spark | Used in aviation and missile systems |
| Losses properties when stored during a longer period. | Possesses chemical stability |
| Offers a small amount of energy | The high degree of calorific value |
Gasoline vs Kerosene: Frequently Asked Questions
Below are frequently asked questions about the differences between gasoline vs kerosene.
Where can I purchase kerosene?
Kerosene is sold at a variety of retail outlets. You can also get kerosene at gas stations where they are sold at the pump or in containers.
What is gasoline?
Gasoline is a common term used to describe a petroleum product that is a highly flammable liquid generally used as fuel for spark-ignited internal combustion engines.
What is kerosene?
Kerosene is a flammable hydrocarbon liquid that is derived from petroleum.
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What are the primary uses of kerosene?
Kerosene is used to operate jet engines or rocket engines. But it’s also a household fuel source used in lighting lamps and domestic furnaces or heaters.
Can kerosene be used in cars?
Kerosene is not a suitable fuel that can be used in any car engine.
Was kerosene ever used for lighting?
Kerosene was used for lighting before the invention of electric bulb.
Is it safe to store gasoline at home?
Gasoline is a highly flammable liquid that should be handled with extreme care. It can be stored in homes but in places far from flames.
Conclusion
Gasoline and kerosene are flammable liquids derived from crude oil. Kerosene is a less flammable liquid compared to gasoline.
Gasoline is a flammable and lighter hydrocarbon mixture that ranges from 4 to 12 carbon atoms per molecule. In contrast, kerosene is a less flammable and moderate-weight hydrocarbon mixture ranging from 10 to 16 atoms per molecule.
