Paraffin and diesel flash-points and fire-points

[series3100]

Hi,

If you look at the Inventors corner thread you will see I'm trying to get a penny stove(?) that i made that runs and burns extremely well on methylated spirits to run on paraffin due to lower cost and availability of it. I had it burning on paraffin today but it still needs a lot of tweaking to up the pressure.

If i can get it to burn as well (or better) on paraffin than meths (by changing the jet size and preheat system as its a pig to start) i will be able to open the doors to diesel too i think which would be great!

If i remember correctly on the primus omnifuel stove the diesel and paraffin can be burned with the same jet so i dont think there is a reason why i cant burn them with the same jet hole size on my penny stoves.

I just need to compare figures though so could someone give me the Flash-points and Fire-points for both diesel and paraffin (and meths if you know it).

Cheers, Brian

[Swingletree]

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_th...oint_of_diesel

Whats your maths like?

[series3100]

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_th...oint_of_diesel

Whats your maths like?

Would that be between 52 and 95 degree C?

Cheers, Brian

[ComicalEngineer]

Diesel flashpoint = 52°C

Kerosene (paraffin) depends on grade but typically 35-80°C

Note that the fire points for both are slightly higher (as they will always be). The flash point is the temperature which the vapour above the liquid just becomes combustible (hence flash on ignition) the fire point is the point at which it is continuously flammable i.e. burns.

The autignition temperature (AIT) is the temperature at which the vapour will ignite without the presence of a flame or spark. Diesel typically has an AIT in the region of 200-220°C, paraffin AIT is in the range 240 - 340°C again depends on grade.

Kerosene AIT = 210°C typically, with flashpoint = 38°C
Paraffin oil AIT = 250°C (again typically)

Hope this helps

[series3100]

Thanks chemical engineer, Great help.

So diesel and paraffin are reasonably chemically similar than?

Any chance you know the details about methylated spirit?

Cheers, Brian

[ComicalEngineer]

Meths is mainly Methanol (methyl alcohol) and is much more volatile than paraffin or diesel. The usualy additive is pyridine to colour it and make it taste awful and stop you drinking it 'cos it makes you blind (yes really). Industrial Methylated Spirit (IMS) is clear and does not have the pyridine added but you can usually only buy it by the 200 litre drum :biggrin:

Flashpoint = 11 degC
Autoignition = 464 degC

To make diesel or paraffin burn you will need to (a) heat it up to above the flashpoint, (b) put it on a wick of some kind or (c) atomise it (usually requires pressure and a special nozzle to atomise efficiently, like old paraffin blow lamps).

Cheers

Tony