About Kerosene. Kerosene (a.k.a. Paraffin Oil) is a hydrocarbon mixed fuel, containing mostly paraffins but also 7-8% aromatic content. It is a pale yellow or colorless liquid that is mainly obtained from crude oil as a specific fractional distillate. It is also possible to produce Kerosene by distillation of coal and oil shale. Because of its use in lamps, Kerosene was the major refinery product for several decades until the advent of the electric lamp in 1878. It is still used worldwide as fuel in aviation, especially in highly refined grades.
Kerosene is widely commercialized in the spot market, in which the commodity can be purchased for immediate delivery. Spot prices, unlike contract prices, depend on commodity availability – the lower the availability, the higher will be the commodity price. This trade type is vulnerable to disruptions like plant closures, natural disasters, supply shortages, or changes in regulations by country governments. Conversely, lower demand and increased producer inventories tend to drive spot prices down.
Kerosene Handling. Sunlight and excessive heat will break down Kerosene. The fuel should be kept close at room temperature and away from sunlight. Storage and transportation tanks and pipes should not be made of copper, copper alloy, or zinc or else Kerosene will deteriorate. Bulk quantities of Kerosene should be stored in a blue container for proper fuel type differentiation. The commodity delivery must be carried out in accordance with the rules for transportation of fire dangerous goods. Tank trucks should be treated with special protective reagents, which eliminate the mixing and entry of components of Kerosene into unintended reactions, and motor transport should be equipped with all fire safety and anti-static systems.
