Faculty of

Chemical &
Energy
Engineering

RESERVOIR ENGINEERING LAB

REPORT SESSION/SEM: 20212022/1

Experiment no. 5
Title SMOKE POINT
Section 01
Group no. 2
Group members 1. NURIN IMAN BINTI ‘AIDIT

2. SITI SYAWANI BINTI KHAIRUL

ANWAR

3. DAHA MOHAMOUD MAAL

4. HILFY DANISH BIN HAIRULAZIZI

5. DHANASEELAN A/L V G
PRAGASAM

6. FAISAL ABDURRAHMAN

Lecturer DR. SHARUL NIZAM HASAN

Technician
Date of experiment 10/11/2021
Date of submission
16/11/2021
(through email*)
Table of contents

1. Abstract ........................................................................................................................... 3

2. Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 4

3. Theory ............................................................................................................................. 5

4. Methodology ................................................................................................................... 6

5. Apparatus ........................................................................................................................ 6

6. Results ............................................................................................................................. 7

7. Discussion ....................................................................................................................... 8

8. Conclusion & Suggestion ............................................................................................... 9

9. References ....................................................................................................................... 9

Appendix 1 ........................................................................................................................... 10
1. ABSTRACT

The purpose of this experiment is to determine and identify the smoke point of oil samples
such as kerosene and jet fuel by burning the oil samples in an enclosed smoke point lamp
for the height of the fire tongue can be estimated. Kerosene and jet fuel will give different
heights of fire tongue when burn due to the components in each fuel such as sulphur and
aromatic compounds. By measuring the smoke point of each oil sample, we could
determine the tendency of the petroleum product to generate smoke when burned. In this
experiment, the height of the tongue flame that is observe by taking the second tongue
flame point of view is taken 3 times to obtain the average smoke point of kerosene is 17mm
which is higher than jet fuel that its average value is 12.67mm. This means less soot formed
from kerosene which also shows that its content of aromatic structure is less than the jet
fuel. By substituting the average smoke point value in smoking tendency equation, we are
able to know that the smoking tendency in kerosene is lower than jet fuel. i.e for kerosene
tendency is 18.82mm -1 and 25.26 mm-1. Aromatic compound in jet fuel is what makes the
oil sample burns with more smoke compared to kerosene that is more towards paraffinic
compound. We can conclude that kerosene is more volatile and flammable than jet fuel.
2. INTRODUCTION

In this experiment, we determine the smoke point of two different oil samples such as jet
fuel and kerosene. Smoke point of a hydrocarbon liquid is the maximum height of flame
when it is burning without smoke or the maximum flame height in millimeters at which
oil will burn without smoking and tested under standard conditions. Both oil samples are
tested by burning it on a wick in a closed smoke point lamp. The height of this flame (mm)
is considered as the smoke point of the sample tested and measured by using the scale in
the smoke point lamp. The second flame tongue point of view becomes our reading. As a
result, the height of the flame for both samples can be estimated. Generally, the more
aromatic compounds in a fuel, the smokier the flame. The smoking tendency is ability of
the hydrocarbon liquid to produce smoke. Likewise, the high of smoke point indicates a
fuel of low smoke producing tendency.

From the observed heights of the two oil samples of jet fuel and kerosene, we are able to
identify which sample has the tendency to produce more smoke by using smoking
tendency equation. From the equation, it is estimated that the smoking point of kerosene
is higher than the smoking point of jet fuel. However, the experimental value could be
slightly different than theoretical value due to some unforced random error such as
personal errors that takes place in the experiment. It is recommended to handle this
experiment with precautions when carry out this experiment.
3. THEORY

The smoke point, also referred to as the burning point, is the temperature at which an oil
or fat begins to produce a continuous bluish smoke that becomes clearly visible, dependent
upon specific and defined conditions. The higher the smoke point of oils, the lower the
smoking tendency. Oils which contain low aromatic contents and high paraffinic contents
(kerosene) will have higher smoking point compared to lower distillation fractions (gas,
oil, diesel, light gas oil and heavy gas oil). Smoke point is used to determine the smoking
tendency. Smoking tendency is proportional to the aromatic content and is given by
equation:

320
𝑆𝑚𝑜𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 =
𝑠𝑚𝑜𝑘𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑚

As a control measure the smoke point test, gives the maximum smokeless flame height in
millimeters at which the fuel will burn in a wick-fed lamp under prescribed conditions.
The combustion performance of wide-cut fuels correlates well with smoke point when a
fuel volatility factor is included because carbon formation tends to increase with boiling
point. However, the smoke point is not always a reliable criterion of combustion
performance and should be used in conjunction with other properties.
4. METHODOLOGY

1. The wick is trimmed and cleaned.

2. The oil samples are prepared in beakers. The candle is filled in with oil sample
kerosene until about half of the candle volume (approximately 20ml).
3. The wick is inserted into the candle and tightened. The candle is installed back into
the smoke point lamp
4. Then, the wick is lighted.
5. The lamp cover is closed. Then, the candle socket is adjusted until the black smoke
appears and waited for 1 minute.
6. After 1 minute, the flame is stabilised by adjusting the candle socket until the black
smoke is gone. The reading is taken from the second flame tongue point of view.
7. The experiment is repeated from step 4 to 6 to get 3 readings.
8. Then, step 1 to 7 is repeated for oil sample jet fuel.

5. APPARATUS

Smoke Point Lamp

MIRROR

CHIMNEY

SCALE

WICK GUIDE

GALLERY

CANDLE SOCKET

CANDLE
6. RESULTS

From the readings recorded in Table 2 and Table 3 (in Appendix 1), we can calculate the
smoke point of the oil samples and deduce their smoking tendency by using the formula:

320
Smoking tendency = 𝑠𝑚𝑜𝑘𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑚

Sample Sample 1 (Kerosene) Sample 2 (Jet fuel)

Average smoke
17.00 12.67
point (mm)

Smoking
18.82 25.26
tendency (mm-1)

Table 1: Smoke point and smoking tendency for kerosene and jet fuel
(Refer Appendix 1 for detailed calculations)
7. DISCUSSION

1. Write an explanation on the result of the measured smoke point for the 2
different samples
From the experiment, kerosene recorded higher height of flame tongue compared to jet
fuel indicated higher smoke point of kerosene than that of jet fuel. Generally, smoke
point correlates inversely with smoking tendency where compound with lower smoke
point generate more smoke when burns (high smoking tendency). Therefore, in this
experiment, jet fuel has higher smoking tendency than kerosene. Thus, we can conclude
that kerosene burns cleaner that jet fuel. The primary driver of smoking tendency is the
composition of the compound itself, precisely the presence of aromatic or paraffinic
compound.

2. What are the characteristics that can be inferred from the different values of
smoke points for different samples?

Based on the experiment, we can infer that kerosene shows higher smoke point and
generate less smoke when burning. On the other hand, jet fuel has lower smoke point
and has higher tendency to produce smoke. Smoking tendency is increases with the
increase of carbon atom in fractional distillation. Aromatic compound burns with more
smoke because it contains more carbon and heavy fractions according to the fractional
distillation compared to paraffinic compound that contains less carbon in it and produce
less smoke when burning. Thus, aromatic compound in jet fuel is what makes the oil
sample burns with more smoke compared to kerosene that is more towards paraffinic
compound. Although both kerosene and jet fuel are light distillates, jet fuel is a highly
refined kerosene which has undergoes more processes with higher temperature.
Therefore, we can also deduce that kerosene is more volatile and flammable than jet
fuel.
8. CONCLUSION & SUGGESTION

The smoke point is the maximum height of the flame produced by this oil in a stove or
lamp wick without generating any smoke (in millimeters). The better the burning quality,
the higher the smoke point. The smoke point of domestic kerosene should be 20 mm
(minimum). This is determined using a standard testing instrument that includes a standard
lamp and a wick of predetermined size and mass. A stabilizer is given in this apparatus to
maintain the flame in the center, allowing the flame's straight height to be measured on a
graduated scale. The presence of carbon and heavy hydrocarbon particles in the exhaust
gas causes smoke to form. When aromatic hydrocarbons are burned, they contribute carbon
atoms. Aromatic hydrocarbons are extracted to a degree required in the refinery, resulting
in a smoke point greater than or around 20 mm.

The difference in results might occur due to random error or human error. for instance,
reading the measurement incorrectly, or maybe vibration in the floor or air currents that
cause fluctuation in the balance. measuring several times and doing the experiment
carefully may eliminate the errors in the experiment.

9. REFERENCES

ASTM D1322 - 19 Standard Test Method for Smoke Point of Kerosene and Aviation
Turbine Fuel. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.astm.org/Standards/D1322.htm

Boechler, E., Hanania, J., Jenden, J., Stenhouse, K., & Donev, J. (n.d.). Fractional
distillation - Energy Education. Energy Education. Retrieved from
https://energyeducation.ca/encyclopedia/Fractional_distillation

Gray, N. (2020, 5). What's a Smoke Point and Why Does it Matter? serious eats.
Retrieved from https://www.seriouseats.com/cooking-fats-101-whats-a-smoke-
point-and-why-does-it-matter
 APPENDIX 1

Table 2: Height of flame from Sample 1 (Kerosene)

Reading Height of the flame (mm)

1 16
2 18
3 17

Table 3: Height of flame from Sample 2 (Jet Fuel)

Reading Height of the flame (mm)

1 15
2 12
3 11

Detailed calculation for average smoke point for both samples:

16+18+17
Average smoke point for sample 1 = = 17.00 𝑚𝑚
3

15+12+11
Average smoke point for sample 2 = = 12.67 𝑚𝑚
3

Detailed calculation for smoking tendency for both samples:

320
Smoking tendency for sample 1 = 17.0000 = 18.82 𝑚𝑚−1

320
Smoking tendency for sample 2 = 12.67 = 25.26 𝑚𝑚−1