Fuels - General Information
Posted: Sun Dec 10, 2006 4:47 am
Originally posted by Fla_Medic,planforpandemic
* Link Unavailable. This site is no longer active and available to view on line.
Use citronella only outdoors. Fumes are not real healthy in an enclosed space. Some addtional fuel info is below.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerosene_lamp
From Wikipedia
Fuels
Pure paraffin oil is marketed as the cleanest burning fuel for suitable for wick lamps used indoors. It is often sold in the candle section of many supermarkets. However, due to economies of scale and additional refining necessary this fuel is one of the most expensive. Pure paraffin oil can solidify in environments below room temperature, limiting its suitability for outdoor or emergency use. Some antique lamp enthusiants do not recommend the use of this oil as the ignition temperature is higher than regular lamp oil or kerosene and may result in damage to the lamp. The flame produced by paraffin oil is not as bright as with other fuels. Although the fuel itself is odorless, poorly designed, maintained or adjusted lamps will still emit noxious fumes.
Generic lamp oil is also widely available in supermarkets. It is usually less expensive than pure paraffin oil, but costs more than kerosene. Lamp oil burns cleaner and with less odor than kerosene.
1-K Kerosene is more easily available in bulk than lamp oil in most countries and is typically much cheaper. However, kerosene contains more impurities such as sulphur and aromatic hydrocarbons than lamp oil. Kerosene obtained from filling stations is more likely to be contaminated with water than kerosene obtained in prepackaged containers. The odors produced by burning kerosene in wick lamps can be quite objectionable indoors.
Kerosene subtitutes certified by manufacturers to meet the technical specifications of 1-K kerosene such as Kleen-Heatâ„¢ also work in wick lamps. These products are often sold in hardware stores during the heating season.
Citronella oil can be burned in wick lamps outdoors. However, the lamp may produce some smoke and soot. The residue from burning citronella oil is difficult to remove, so it is not recommended for use in a valued lamp.
Sometimes dyes and fragrances are added to fuels which can increase soot deposits on glass globes/chimneys, and reduce wick life. Some manufactures have even created special novelty formulations that will cause the flame to burn a different color.
[edit]
Emergency Substitutes
Kerosene lamps under ideal conditions should ONLY be operated with kerosene or lamp oil, but alternative fuels may be used in an emergency.
Mineral spirits can be used, but only with great caution. Formulations containing chemicals other than mineral spirits may be highly flammable or explosive.
Diesel Fuel and home heating oil can be burned in conventional wick lamps/lanterns in an emergency if the lamp is to be used outdoors. Diesel fuels often contain fuel additives that produce toxic by-products when burned in a lamp. Most Diesel fuels have a fairly high sulfur content as well. They also produce more soot than kerosene. #1 Diesel is preferable to #2 diesel in such circumstances.
Charcoal lighter fluid usually is suitable for wick lamps/lanterns; most brands are kerosene. Be certain however to use only the type intended for starting charcoal briquettes. The lighter fluid intended for cigarette lighters is naptha, which is highly inflammable and dangerous in a wick lamp.
[edit]
Hazardous Fuels
It is fairly common practice in some countries to burn naphthalene (white gas, coleman stove fuel), or gasoline in kerosene lamps and lanterns. This is EXTREMELY dangerous and can result in explosion. Solvents such as benzine, acetone and xylene are also highly dangerous.
Jet fuel contains many toxic additives such as Tetra-ethyl lead, antifreeze, and biocides.