KEROSENES Meaning and
Definition
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Kerosenes, also known as kerosene oil, is a type of flammable hydrocarbon liquid fuel derived from petroleum. It is a mixture of various hydrocarbon compounds, mainly consisting of alkanes, which are saturated hydrocarbons. Kerosene is primarily used as a fuel for lighting and heating purposes, as well as in jet engines and certain types of internal combustion engines.
Kerosenes are characterized by their relatively high flash point, which refers to the lowest temperature at which the fuel can vaporize to form an ignitable mixture with air. This makes them safer to handle and transport compared to more volatile fuels like gasoline. Additionally, kerosenes have a lower energy content than gasoline, but a higher energy density than other commonly used fuels such as ethanol or methanol.
The exact composition of kerosenes may vary depending on the source and refining processes used, but it typically falls within certain specifications to ensure its safety and performance. These specifications often include specific ranges for parameters such as viscosity, density, flash point, and sulfur content.
The primary uses of kerosene include lighting and heating in lamps, stoves, and heaters. It is also commonly used as a fuel in aircraft, particularly jet engines. Kerosenes can be further processed to remove impurities and produce aviation fuel, known as jet fuel, which meets stricter quality and performance requirements.
Overall, kerosenes are an important fuel source used for various applications, particularly in the areas of lighting, heating, and aviation.
Common Misspellings for KEROSENES
- jerosenes
- merosenes
- lerosenes
- oerosenes
Etymology of KEROSENES
The word "kerosenes" is derived from the noun "kerosene", also spelled as "kerosine". The term "kerosene" originated from the Greek word "keros", which means "wax". It was coined in the mid-19th century by the Canadian geologist and inventor Abraham Gesner, who developed a method to distill a flammable liquid from coal. This liquid was initially named "kerosene oil" because it was used as a lamp fuel and had similar properties to other oils used at the time. Over time, the word evolved to its current form, "kerosene", to specifically refer to the fuel produced by distilling petroleum.
