Clean, Economical

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31349, 20 April 1967, Page 26

Clean, Economical

The kerosene heater is still one of the cheapest means of home heating. Not only is the heater itself a relatively inexpensive domestic appliance, but running costs can be lower than almost any other type of heating, apart from the larger oil-fired space heating systems.

First, kerosene is an inexpensive fuel, considering its very highly refined properties. Second, kerosene heaters operate at 100 per ' cent efficiency, which means that every drop of heat in the fuel is used to produce useful warmth in the home. Because lighting kerosene burns so cleanly, there is no need for a flue or chimney.

In oil industry jargon, lighting kerosene is basically a straight-run distillate cut from crude oil. As the English term “paraffin oil” suggests, it is mainly paraffinic in character. Aromatic compounds containing a greater proportion of carbon to hydrogen tend to give a smokey flame, and for this reason are eliminated by a process known as

solvent extraction. This Is often followed by a further process called “sweetening” which ensures that the final product has the minimum possible odour. Another important result of these refining processes is to reduce the tendency to form carbon on the wick of a kerosene-burning appliance. The ability to burn with a

clean, hot, steady flame and with a minimum amount of carbon formation on the wick can be expressed by two simple laboratory tests —the “smoke point” and the "char value.” Normally the smoke point should be as high as possible and the char value very low. Even with the highest quality kerosene available on the. market, a kerosene heater should be well treated. Wicks should be regularly cleaned and renewed whenever necessary. A good tip to ensure best performance from a used wick is to remove it from the heater and soak it for a few minutes in methylated spirits. Make sure it is dry before replacing it in the heater. a