8008-20-6

Basic information

• Product Name: Kerosene
• Synonyms: aviationturbinefuel(non-specificname);coaloil;coal-oil;deobase;deodorizedkerosene;deodorizedkerosine;deodourizedkerosene;distillatefueloils,light(non-specificname)
• CAS NO: 8008-20-6
• Molecular Weight: 0
• EINECS: 232-366-4
• Mol File: 8008-20-6.mol
• Article Data: 0

Chemical Properties

• Melting Point: 24-25 °C
• Boiling Point: 175-325 °C(lit.)
• Flash Point: 179 °F
• Appearance: Light Yellow/Liquid
• Density: 0.8 g/mL at 25 °C(lit.)
• Vapor Density: 4.5 (vs air)
• Vapor Pressure: 0.23 mm Hg ( 20 °C)
• Refractive Index: n20/D 1.436
• Storage Temp.: 2-8°C
• Explosive Limit: 5%
• Stability: Stable. Flammable. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents.
• Merck: 14,5294
• CAS DataBase Reference: Kerosene(CAS DataBase Reference)
• NIST Chemistry Reference: Kerosene(8008-20-6)
• EPA Substance Registry System: Kerosene(8008-20-6)

Safety Data

• Hazard Codes: Xn,N,F
• Statements: 65-67-62-51/53-48/20-38-11-40
• Safety Statements: 23-24-62-61-36/37-16
• RIDADR: 1223
• WGK Germany: 3
• RTECS: OA5500000
• HazardClass: 3
• PackingGroup: III
• Hazardous Substances Data: 8008-20-6(Hazardous Substances Data)

Usage

Description

Kerosene, also known as paraffin oil or coal oil, is a petroleum-based fuel primarily derived from refined petroleum. Discovered in 1853 by British physician Abraham Gesner, kerosene is extracted through an extraction process of inflammable liquid from asphalt, a waxy petroleum mixture. Due to its asphalt origins, kerosene is often referred to as coal or fuel oil. It was the first material to be chemically extracted on a large commercial scale.

Uses

Used in Chemical Storage:
Kerosene is used as a storage medium for alkali metals, preventing air re-dissolution and ensuring the safe handling and preservation of these reactive elements.
Used in Lighting and Heating:
Originally used for lighting and heating purposes, kerosene is still utilized in kerosene lamps, flares, and stoves, providing a reliable and efficient source of light and warmth.
Used as a Decontaminant:
Kerosene serves as an effective degreaser and cleaner, removing dirt, grease, and other contaminants from various surfaces.
Used in Pesticides and Cosmetics:
Kerosene has been used as a solvent in cosmetics and in fly sprays, such as Deobase, due to its ability to dissolve a wide range of substances.
Used in Fuel Blending:
Kerosene is used as a component in blending aviation fuels and as a diesel fuel, contributing to the performance and efficiency of these fuels.
Used as a Solvent and Carrier:
Kerosene acts as a solvent and carrier for a wide range of products, including cleaning compositions and pesticides, enabling the effective delivery and application of these substances.
Used in the Ceramic and Pottery Industry:
As a mold-release agent, kerosene is utilized in the ceramic and pottery industry to facilitate the smooth release of molded items from their molds, improving the manufacturing process and final product quality.

Production Methods

Kerosene is produced by direct fractionation of the “middle distillate fraction”. Individual kerosene composition varies widely, but consists mainly of linear and branched aliphatics, olefins, cycloparaffins, and aromatics in the C10–C16 range. For indoor heating fuels it is desirable to remove the olefins, aromatics, and sulfur compounds, because they promote the evolution of soot and sulfur oxides. For some purposes, highly refined or “deodorized” kerosene is manufactured by treatment with activated charcoal or by clay filtration and is generally less toxic than untreated kerosene.

Air & Water Reactions

Highly flammable. Insoluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

Saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons, contained in Kerosene, may be incompatible with strong oxidizing agents like nitric acid. Charring of the hydrocarbon may occur followed by ignition of unreacted hydrocarbon and other nearby combustibles. In other settings, aliphatic saturated hydrocarbons are mostly unreactive. They are not affected by aqueous solutions of acids, alkalis, most oxidizing agents, and most reducing agents.

Hazard

Moderate fire risk, explosive limits in air 0.7–5.0%. Toxic by inhalation. Questionable carcinogen.

Flammability and Explosibility

Flammable

Environmental Fate

Kerosene is composed of aliphatic hydrocarbons with 10–16 carbons per molecule and benzene and naphthalene derivatives. Because kerosene is a complex mixture of various hydrocarbon fractions, its transport and transformation in the environment are dependent on the environment fate of the individual hydrocarbons that comprise it. Kerosene can enter the environment because of its uses – engine fuels, domestic heating, pesticide, and solvent. Environmental releases of kerosene predominantly results in portioning to air. The halflife reaction is calculated to be 0.27–2.2 days. Photodegeneration is rapid in the air phase. Kerosene is expected to have low mobility and some immobility when released to soil. Volatilization does occur. Kerosene is biodegradable in soil, although some components of the mixture adhere strongly to the soil. Kerosene is also biodegradable in surface water. However, some components of the mixture may bioconcentrate in fish and other aquatic organisms. Hydrolysis is insignificant because kerosene lacks the functional groups that hydrolyze under environmental conditions.

Purification Methods

Stir it with conc H2SO4 until a fresh portion of acid remains colourless, then wash with water, dry with solid KOH and distil it in a Claisen flask. For more complete drying, the kerosene can be refluxed with Na, and distilled from Na.

Toxicity evaluation

The specific mechanism of toxicity of kerosene has not been completely determined. The primary risk from ingestion of kerosene is aspiration during emesis, which may cause pneumonitis. The biochemical mechanism of lung response to large concentrations of aerosolized kerosene (resulting in bronchoconstriction and asthma-like symptoms) may involve the parasympathetic nervous system via a direct effect on the vagus nerve or by inhibition of acety1cholinesterase. The mechanism(s) of central nervous system (CNS) depression from kerosene exposure has not been elucidated, but undoubtedly includes disruption of the membranes of nerve cells.