Various Types of Petroleum Fuels

Also known as: K-1

Description: Kerosene was the first major product of the petroleum industry. Its primary purpose in the early days was as a source of fuel for lamps. Kerosene is still used throughout the world for cooking and space heating. It is also the primary fuel for modern jet engines.

The hydrocarbons in kerosene contain more carbon atoms than those in gasoline and fewer carbon atoms than those in diesel fuel.

Facts: Kerosene used as jet fuel must not freeze at high altitudes. The usual freeze-point specification for commercial jet fuel is −50 degrees Celsius or -58 degrees Fahrenheit.

Description: The hydrocarbons in diesel fuel contain between nine and twelve carbon atoms, giving diesel fuel a higher molecular weight than gasoline (a molecule of diesel fuel weighs more than a molecule of gasoline).

Also known as: Gas, Petrol

Description: Gasoline is a liquid mixture of hydrocarbons derived from petroleum. It is used as a fuel for internal combustion engines. Most of the hydrocarbons contain between 4 and 12 carbon atoms per molecule.

Facts: Gasoline was originally a by-product of the petroleum industry, which was focused on making kerosene.

Gasoline is preferred as an automobile fuel because it mixes readily with air in a carburetor and it has a high energy of combustion.