Kerosene Chemical Properties

Melting point:

24-25 °C

Boiling point:

175-325 °C(lit.)

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

Flash point:

179 °F

storage temp. 

2-8°C

form 

Liquid

color 

Light Yellow

Odor

Characteristic; like fuel oil.

explosive limit

5%

Merck 

14,5294

Dielectric constant

1.8（21℃）

Stability:

Stable. Flammable. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents.

EPA Substance Registry System

Kerosene (8008-20-6)

Safety Information

Hazard Codes 

Xn,N,F

Risk 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

Autoignition Temperature

442 °F

HazardClass 

3

PackingGroup 

III

HS Code 

27101919

Hazardous Substances Data

8008-20-6(Hazardous Substances Data)

Toxicity

LD50 orally in rabbits: 28 ml/kg (Deichmann)

MSDS

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Kerosene Usage And Synthesis

Description

Kerosene is primarily derived from refined petroleum. Kerosene was discovered in 1853 by Abraham Gesner, a British physician, through an extraction process of inflammable liquid from asphalt, a waxy petroleum mixture. Kerosene, therefore, is often called coal or fuel oil because of its asphalt origins. Kerosene was the first material to be chemically extracted on a large commercial scale.

Chemical Properties

Kerosene is a white to pale yellow, mobile flammable, and combustible liquid. Kerosene (hydrodesulfurized) is a complex combination of hydrocarbons obtained from a petroleum stock by treating with hydrogen to convert organic sulfur to hydrogen sulfide, which is removed. Kerosene generally consists of hydrocarbons having carbon numbers predominantly in the range of C9 through C16 and boiling in the range of approximately 150–290℃ （302–554°F).

Chemical Properties

yellow liquid

Uses

Usually used to store alkali metals and prevent air re-dissolution.

Uses

Kerosene, originally used for lighting and heating, is also used as a diesel fuel, as a component in blending aviation fuels, as a solvent and carrier for a wide range of products (including cleaning compositions and pesticides), and as a mold-release agent in the ceramic and pottery industry.

Uses

In kerosene lamps, flares, and stoves; as degreaser and cleaner; Deobase formerly used as a solvent in cosmetics and in fly spray.

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.

Definition

Straight Run, Kerosene (petroleum). A complex combination of hydrocarbons produced by the distillation of crude oil. It consists of hydrocarbons having carbon numbers predominantly in the range of C9 through C16 and boiling in the range of approximately 180.degree.C to 300.degree.C (356.degree.F to 572.degree.F).

General Description

A clear colorless to light amber liquid with a petroleum odor. Flash point 100°F. Less dense than water and insoluble in water. Vapors are heavier than air.

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.

Health Hazard

Vapor causes slight irritation of eyes and nose. Liquid irritates stomach; if taken into lungs, causes coughing, distress, and rapidly developing pulmonary edema.

Flammability and Explosibility

Flammable

Chemical Reactivity

Reactivity with Water No reaction; Reactivity with Common Materials: No reactions; Stability During Transport: Stable; Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics: Not pertinent; Polymerization: Not pertinent; Inhibitor of Polymerization: Not pertinent.

Potential Exposure

AgriculturalChemical; Tumorigen, Mutagen, Human Data; PrimaryIrritant; (petroleum, hydrotreated) Tumorigen. Kerosene isused as a fuel for lamps, stoves, jets, and rockets. It is alsoused for degreasing and cleaning metals and as a vehiclefor insecticides. Jet fuels JP-5 and JP-8 are used as aircraftfuels by the military. JP-8 is the primary jet fuel used bythe US Navy and Air Force. Kerosene is the primary component of both JP-5 and JP-8.

First aid

If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove anycontact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least15 min, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts theskin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediatelywith soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. Ifthis chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure,begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, including resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and CPR ifheart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a medicalfacility. When this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention. Give large quantities of water and inducevomiting. Do not make an unconscious person vomit.

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.

storage

Color Code—Red: Flammability Hazard: Store ina flammable liquid storage area or approved cabinet awayfrom ignition sources and corrosive and reactive materials.Prior to working with this chemical you should be trainedon its proper handling and storage. Before entering confinedspace where this chemical may be present, check to makesure that an explosive concentration does not exist. Store intightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated areaaway from oxidizers. Metal containers involving thetransfer of this chemical should be grounded and bonded.Where possible, automatically pump liquid from drums orother storage containers to process containers. Drums mustbe equipped with self-closing valves, pressure vacuumbungs, and flame arresters. Use only nonsparking tools andequipment, especially when opening and closing containersof this chemical. Sources of ignition, such as smoking andopen flames, are prohibited where this chemical is used,handled, or stored in a manner that could create a potentialfire or explosion hazard. Wherever this chemical is used,handled, manufactured, or stored, use explosion-proofelectrical equipment and fittings.

Shipping

Kerosene requires a shipping label of“POISONOUS/TOXIC MATERIALS.” It falls in HazardClass 3 and Packing Group III.

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.

Incompatibilities

Explosive mixture in air. Oxidizers maycause fire and explosion hazard. Incompatible with nitricacid. May accumulate static electrical charges, and maycause ignition of its vapors.

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