Introduction

Distillate fuels refer to a group of hydrocarbon products obtained from partial or complete distillation processes of crude oil. These fuels include gasoline kerosene light diesel and similar products. The purpose of this article is to examine in detail the application of distillate fuels including where how and why these fuels are used and what criteria are important for selection.

Note that the term distillate fuel is sometimes used generically to refer to any product obtained from the distillation of petroleum therefore it is always necessary to specify the type of product such as diesel kerosene or cracked.

Technical definition and production process

The distillation process of crude oil takes place in distillation towers. By heating crude oil to different temperatures lighter components rise as vapor and are distilled in upper layers while heavier components remain at the bottom. The resulting products are widely divided into categories including light gases gasoline kerosene diesel distillate and heavy fuel oil.

• Light gases C1 C4 Mainly for fuel gas or petrochemical feedstock.
• Gasoline Suitable for gasoline engines after processing and additives.
• Kerosene Used in light aircraft heaters and industrial applications.
• Diesel distillate Used for diesel engines and heating applications.
• Fuel oil Heavier products for power plants furnaces and coking feedstock.

Types of distillate fuels and key characteristics

Gasoline

Gasoline is designed for spark ignition engines. Important criteria include octane number boiling point and evaporation index.

Kerosene

Kerosene is used in aerospace and burners. Key properties include thermal stability flash point and aromatic purity.

Diesel distillate

Diesel distillate is used for compression ignition engines. Important factors include pour point viscosity index flash point and cetane number.

Fuel oil and heavy fuels

Heavier fuels have higher viscosity and flash points and vary in sulfur level. Used in power plants ships and industrial furnaces.

Comparison table