What is the difference between airplane fuel and gasoline? - ProProfs Discuss
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What is the difference between airplane fuel and gasoline?

What is the difference between airplane fuel and gasoline?

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Asked by I.Helen, Last updated: Apr 21, 2024

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5 Answers

C. Reyes

C. Reyes

C. Reyes
C. Reyes

Answered Jan 29, 2021

Airplane fuel and gasoline are both similar in some ways since both consist of hydrocarbons. Also, the two products are gotten after the refinement of crude oil. However, one of the major differences between airplane fuel and gasoline is that they contain different types of hydrocarbons.

For instance, the total number of carbons in gasoline varies from 7 to 11. On the other hand, the total number of carbons in airplane fuel varies from 12 to 15. It is important to note that each carbon in the two products has hydrogen molecules attached to it. This tells you that airplane fuel is mostly kerosene.

Also, remember that airplanes travel through different temperatures and this can drop below 40°C. What this means is that gasoline would most like to freeze at this temperature, making kerosene the perfect fuel for airplanes, because it won't freeze. Another difference is that airplane fuel contains some additives that are absent in gasoline.

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Leo Samuels

Leo Samuels

A good learner

Leo Samuels
Leo Samuels, Content Writer, PG, California

Answered Jan 22, 2021

Though gasoline and airplane fuel are made from crude oil, there are many differences between the two fuels. One of the main differences between them is the number of hydrocarbon molecules that each has. Airplane fuel has more of those molecules, as it has 12-15 carbon atoms and gasoline has 7 to 10 carbon atoms. Another difference between them is the chemical additives that are added to each fuel.

With gasoline, as the car fuel does not need to worry about freezing, then the additives do not need to prevent ice or freeing. However, airplane fuel does need this type of additive because it is flying at such as a high foot.

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F. Daniel

F. Daniel

I work for a California based MNC.

F. Daniel
F. Daniel, Content Optimization Executive, Diploma in Journalism, California

Answered Jan 20, 2021

There are some people who may feel confused about the difference between airplane fuel and gasoline. Gasoline will be composed of different hydrocarbons. They will be around 7 to 11 carbon that will be attached to hydrogen molecules. Airplane fuel will have different components. It will have carbons that will have a higher range, normally around 12 to 15 carbon atoms that will be attached to hydrogen molecules.

There are also more additives that are placed in airplane fuel as compared to gasoline. The main purpose of this is to ensure that the fuel will be enough in order to sustain the needs of the airplane to give people the safe flight that they want to get.

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M. Klose

M. Klose

M. Klose
M. Klose, Content Writer, Oakland

Answered Oct 31, 2018

Some people may assume that the fuel that is used for airplanes is the same with the type of fuel that is used by some cars. This is not true at all. Both types are made of crude oil but there are already a lot of differences that should be noted. For example, airplane fuel has 12-15 carbon atoms.

Those that are used for cars come with a fewer amount of carbon items. There are also different additives that will be added depending on what the transportation needs. It is only natural that there are more additives that will be added to the airplane fuel to make sure that it will keep the plane running smoothly for a long time.

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C. Reyes

C. Reyes

C. Reyes
C. Reyes

Answered May 15, 2018

Both airplane fuel and gasoline are both made from crude oil but that’s about where the similarities end. The main difference between the two fuels is the number of hydrocarbon molecules and the chemical additives they contain. Gasoline contains on average 7 to 10 carbon atoms and airplane fuel contains on average 12-15 carbon atoms.

Typical additives are added to both airplane fuel and gasoline and these include chemicals to prevent static, icing, and corrosion. But the specific additive may be chemically different. For example, most cars don’t have to worry about their gasoline freezing, but an airplane flying at 35,000 feet needs to make sure its fuel isn’t going to freeze.

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