Planes use kerosene for five key reasons:
One of the primary reasons as to why jets rely on kerosene is due to its low freezing point. Aviation kerosene has a freezing point of -47 °C.
Planes fly at extremely high altitudes, which means they spend a lot of airtime in sub-zero temperatures. As a result, planes need to use fuel with a low freezing point – like kerosene - so the fuel functions properly without solidifying during the flight.
Kerosene is highly flammable, more so than diesel, which gives it the explosive burning qualities required for take-off. In fact, diesel’s lack of flammability would not generate enough initial power to get the plane off the ground, ruling it out as an option.
Gasoline is also highly flammable, but its energy pay back is poor and fuel consumption too rapid, which is more inefficient. This means a plane would have to carry a greater volume of fuel for the same journey duration.
Aviation kerosene is less viscous than gasoline when used during flight, making it the preferred choice for jet crafts. Liquids with a high viscosity are thick, sticky and gluey – this is not an ideal property for jet fuel!
Kerosene maintains a low viscosity during flights thanks to its low freezing point. This means it will keep the plane running as it should and won’t clog up the engine.
Kerosene is much cheaper than gasoline, making it a more affordable option for airlines. Flights are an expensive operation, so its important for airlines to use a cheaper source of fuel without compromising safety.
Safety is a crucial factor for all airlines, and aviation kerosene is an extremely safe source of fuel.
Firstly, kerosene has a higher flash point than gasoline, meaning its unlikely to cause unplanned combustion.
Secondly, kerosene has a lower freezing point, so it won't thicken up and clog the engine when the plane is moving through extremely low temperatures.
Thirdly, aviation kerosene has additives to enhance its safety and reduce the risk of unplanned hazards. These additives include anticorrosive agents, anti-static chemicals and de-icing agents.
Jet Fuel is most commonly referred to as Jet A1, but its technical name is actually Avtur (Aviation Turbine Fuel). Avtur is designed for use in both turbo-jet and turbo-prop aircraft, which basically accounts for all modern planes of any real size. Avtur can rightfully be mixed up with is standard grade kerosene, because that is what it is, and, in the UK at least, this is the grade of fuel that is also used for heating oil in boilers and home-range cooking stoves!
It’s hard to believe that all this is going on at the airport!
Hopefully you now understand why planes use kerosene over other popular fuels, like gasoline and diesel. Kerosene offers airlines so many benefits including safe flights, lower costs and lighter aircrafts.
To learn more about the advantages of kerosene, have a read of our dedicated post.
