What are the differences among diesel fuels, heating oils and kerosenes?
Diesel fuels, heating oils and kerosenes are all products distilled from crude oil. While they are similar, there are some critical specification and legal differences among the products that normally prohibits using them interchangeably. These differences come about because their respective applications differ; diesel fuels are used in internal combustion engines, heating oils in oil burners and kerosenes are used in lamps and non-vented heaters. In addition to these differences, the products are subject to different tax laws. A few of the differences are highlighted below. Diesel fuels have cetane specifications to assess combustion properties in diesel engines. They are also exposed to outdoor temperatures and relatively fine filtration. The most common measure for low-temperature fluidity is the cloud point. Neither heating oils nor kerosenes require cetane number or cloud point specs. In the United States, heating oils and kerosenes are not taxed as are over-the-road diesel fuels.
