KEROSENE

Kerosene (petroleum) is a liquid mixture of hydrocarbons whose lighter fractions are refined, mainly into jet fuel, by adding certain additives. Without these additives, which alter its chemical properties, kerosene was and is still used as fuel for oil lamps. Certain kerosene variants with particularly low sulfur content are also used for household heating – for example in the UK – and for various industrial processes.

Kerosene is also used as a cleaning agent, as it readily dissolves grease and dirt from metal surfaces, and as a component of the fuel used to propel model aeroplanes with diesel engines and jets.