International Fuel Names

International Fuel Names

This document contains:

> Translations for the names of fuels commonly used in backpacking stoves and lanterns.

> Information about the availability of fuels in various countries.

I would like to thank the original writer and editor of the list Mike Buckler on letting me continue his work and keep this list updated

Version: 55

September 2007

Current Editor: doron.papo@papo-art.com.fuel

Original Editor and Writer: mbuckler@opera.iinet.net.au.fuel till March 2006

New: None

Updated: Holland.

Note: Anti-spam measure - remove the ".fuel" from the end of all email addresses.

> Introduction

> Table of Fuel Names

> Editors Note: "white spirit / white gas" Confusion.

> Notes on White Gasoline

> Notes on Coleman Fuel

> Notes on Diesel Fuel

> Notes on Kerosene

> Benzine and Benzene Confusion

> Other Links

> Alphabetical Listing of Notes for Various Countries

Introduction

> This document is designed to help you find the right fuel for your stove lantern or lamp.

> The countries are ordered alphabetically except for the USA and UK which were left at the top for reference.

> Abbreviated fuel names are put in quotation marks e.g. methylated spirits is also known as "meths".

> Alternative brand names are sometimes placed inside brackets.

> The following list contains data for over 60 countries.

I would like to expand the list to cover the rest of the world. Hope you can help. Info needed for Morocco, Algeria, Syria, Iraq, Tunisia, Bulgaria, Romania, Albania, Saudi Arabia, Burma, Laos, Vietnam, Borneo, Egypt, Jordan,Lebanon, Oman, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, New Guinea, N+S Korea, Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, Zaire, Angola, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, Somali Rep, Belize, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, Columbia, Ecuador, Guyana, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Madagascar and lots of other places.

Perhaps people could post translations of this document to non English speaking networks.

Table of Fuel Names

Note: With the exception of Coleman fuel, all commonly available fuels from petrol stations and supermarkets are blended mixtures that vary in composition depending on the brand, the country and even the time of year (winter/summer). Fuels listed in columns 1 - 3 are petroleum based. Fuels in column 4 are alcohol based.

Column 1

Decane (mostly). Kerosene/diesel is a crude cut from oil refineries, boiling point range is approximately 180° to 280° C. May have pink or blue color added (U.K.).

Column 2

Pentane, Hexane. The same as for column 1, but a boiling point range of 25° to 200° C. Slight yellow color. May also contain up to 20% ethanol ("ethanol blended fuel").

Column 3

60% Hexane + 40% Heptane? Usually colorless?

Column 4

95% Ethanol + 5% Methanol approx. Usually has purple colour and bad taste added. May also contain propanol and water.

Country	Fuel
Country	1		2	3	4
U.S.A & Canada	Kerosene		Gasoline "Gas"	White Gas Naphtha Coleman Fuel Blazo	Denatured Alcohol Solvent Alcohol
U.K.	Paraffin		Petrol	Coleman Fuel	Methylated Spirit "Meths"
Argentina (Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Belize and Mexico)	Kerosene		Nafta	solvente bencina	alcohol alcohol puro alcohol de quemar
Australia	Kerosene "Kero"		Petrol	Shellite White gas Mobilite	methylated spirits "Meths" "Metho"
Austria	Petroleum		Benzin Bleifrei	Reinigungsbenzin Waschbenzin White gas Kocherbenzin Reinbenzin Fleckbenzin	Brennspiritus Spiritus
Belgium	Petroleum		loodvrije benzine	Wasbenzine	???
Bolivia and Chile	Kerosene		Gasolina	???	Alcohol puro
Bulgaria	???		???	ekstraktsionen benzin	Spirt
Borneo	Minyak Tanah AVTUR		Benzine	???	Spiritos
China	meiyou Huo shui ?		qi you	???	Jiu Jing
Czech Republic	Petrolej Parafin		Benzin	Technicky benzin	Denaturovany lih Denaturovany alkohol
Denmark	Petroleum		auto benzin	rensebenzin	Ethanol (100 %) Sprit Husholdnings sprit
Egypt	al-kayruseen zayt al-barafeen zayt al-kaaz		WAKOUD BENZEEN	GAAS ABYAD White Gas	COHOL TIBY COHOL SENAIY
Fiji	kerosene		???	White spirits Shellite	???
Finland	Valo petroli Petroli		bensiini	Kevytbensiini Puhdistusbensiini	denaturoitu sprii Sinol(tm) Marinol(tm)
France	Pétrole Pétrole lampant Pétrole de chauffage Petrol a Bruler		Essence	Essence filtree Blanche sans plomb Essence C Essence a l'usage domestique	Alcool a Bruler Alcool Denature Alcool Methylique
Germany	Petroleum Paraffinol Petrol Lampenoel		Benzin Bleifrei Auto-Benzin Superbenzin	Kocherbenzin Feuerzeug Benzin Katalyt Benzin Reinigungsbenzin Reinbenzin Fleckenbenzin Wundbenzin	Spiritus Brennspiritus Methyl Alkohol
Greece	Parafinh			"Coleman fuel" ?	mequliko oinopneuma
Greenland	Petroleum		Benzin	Rensebenzin	Denatureret Sprit
Holland	Petroleum Lampen-Olie		Benzine(All Petrol), Loodvrije Benzine(Lead free Petrol) Euro 95(Low Octane)Super 98 (High Octane)	Wasbenzine Coleman Fuel	Spiritus Brand Spiritus Alcohol
Hungary	Petróleum		Benzin Olommentes benzin	Sebbenzin Tiszta benzin	spiritus denaturált szesz
Iceland	steinolía Lampaolía		???	Hreinsad Benzin	Rodsprit
India, Bhutan, Nepal and Pakistan	Kerosene		Petrol (Gasoline)		methylated spirits
Indonesia and Malaysia	MINYAK TANAH		BENSINE	???	???
Iran	NAFT		Benzin	???	???
Ireland	???		???	???	Meths
Israel	Neft		Delek 96 Delek 95 Benzin Natul	Delek lavan Benzin lavan	Alcohol
Italy	petrolio petrolio lampante Olio di Paraffina Kerosene		Benzina per autoveicoli	benzina AVIO Benzina bianca	Alcol denaturato
Japan	Toh-yu		Gasoline	White Gas Coleman Fuel	Nen-ryo yoh Alcohol
Kenya	Paraffin kerosene		unleaded gas	???	???
Laos	???		???	???	Alcool
Malaysia and Singapore	This is rather complicated. See the entry further on in this document.
Malta	kreosene parifin pitrolju	Petrol octane		???	Alcohol ethanol Methylated spirit Surgical spirit
Mexico	Petroleo	Gasolina		gasolina blanca	???
New Zealand	Kerosene	Petrol		White Spirit Shellite Callite Britolite Pegasol Fuelite	Methylated Spirit
Norway	Parafin ennveske lampeolje fritidsparafin	Bensin		Renset bensin Heptan Katlyt bensin 4takt miljøbensin (statoil)	Rod-Sprit Kondensfjerner Hjemmebrent 95%
Philippines	kerosene	gasoline		Coleman fuel	denatured alcohol
Poland	nafta	"benzyna bezolowiowa"		Benzyna ekstrakcyjna rozpuszczalnik ekstrakcyjny	Denaturat Spirytus alkohol metylowy
Portugal	Petroleo	Gasolina sem chumbo		Benzina de desengorduramento	"Alcool 95%"
Romania	???	???		???	Alcool Sanitar Spirt Alcool Tehnic
ex-USSR (Russia)	kerosene	benzine		???	Methyl Alcohol (metilovy spirt)
South Africa + Zimbabwe	paraffin	petrol		Benzine	Methylated Spirits "Meths"
Spain	Parafina Petroleo Keroseno Petroli Queroseno	Gasolina sim plomo		Becina, Blanca Solvente Gasolina domestica Benzina pura	Alcohol Metilico Alcohol de quemar (Metilico)
Sweden	Fotogen Lysfotogen Statoil Blå Aspen_Kaminbraensle	Blyfri bensin		Industribensin Kemiskt Ren Bensin Statoil miljoe Alkylatbensin Miljoebensin 4-takt	T-Sprit/Roedsprit T-Roed Metanol T-braenlse Tenol
Switzerland	Petrol	Bleifrei		Reinbenzin Wundbenzin	Brennsprit
Switzerland (German speaking part)	Petroleum	Bleifrei		Reinbenzin Wundbenzin Feuerzeug Benzin	Brennsprit
Switzerland (German/Italian speaking part)	???	???		Benzin Gereinigt	???
Thailand	NAUM MAUN GAS	NAUM MAUN REI SARN		BENZENE KAOW White benzene "COMFORT"	Alcohol Isopropanol
Turkey	Gazyagi Parafin	Kursunsuz benzin		White Gas Benzin	Ispirto
Venezuela	kerosen	gasolina		Gasolina blanca	alcohol para quemar alcohol luz

Editors Note: "white spirit / white gas" Confusion. (May 1996)

Depending on which country you are in, "white spirit" can be one of several substances. In the UK it is "turpentine substitute" ie. paint thinner and is not recommended for burning.

In Australia it is a cleaning solvent but it is not the same as the stuff in the UK. Again it is not recommended for burning. In New Zealand white spirit used to be a common name for white gas but now days it may be mis-understood as meaning "turpentine substitute".

Referring to one of the brand names is probably a more reliable way of getting what you're after (see the entry for New Zealand).

The Material Safety Data Sheet for Coleman fuel gives the following composition:

· Solvent naphtha (CAS #64742-89-8) 45-50%

· Aliphatic petroleum distillates (CAS #64742-88-7) 45-50%

· Xylene (CAS #1330-20-7) 2%

· Toluene (CAS #108-88-3) 2%

Notes on White Gasoline

<elliot@mail.utexas.edu.fuel> writes....... (May 1996)

Coleman fuel and white gasoline are not the same. Coleman fuel contains components that are much less volatile than gasoline (such as naptha). This is what makes it safer to use in a stove or lantern. White gasoline is simply gasoline that contains no antiknock additives. Commercial unleaded gasoline contains additives that will likely damage your stove unless it designed to accept this type of fuel (some are).

I suppose the question really is: Can I use white gas in my stove? Answer is: probably. If it is clean and contains no additives, it will burn just fine. It is more dangerous to handle since it is more volatile, but clean, pure white gas will probably not damage your stove. At least it has never harmed my Svea 123.

Notes on Coleman Fuel

<F-Schmidt@cox.net.fuel> writes.......(Feb 2003)

(Frank Schmidt, Senior Project Engineer, Appliances-Fuels-Patio Grills, The Coleman Co.)

Coleman Fuel was developed in the early 50's as a replacement for "white gas" which in the US was readily available at hardware stores and gas stations. This was the original motor fuel, no tetraeythlead, or additives, also know as casing head gas, water white color. Was also used as a cleaning agent for mostly white materials, also a fuel for outboard motors and early powered lawnmowers. This source started to disappear in the 50's due to technology.

The Coleman fuel of today has not changed in years, it is a blended naphtha with no lead compounds, and a paraffinic type. The benzene content is controlled to .5% by wt. or less and we add a rust inhibitor along with a green dye for identification. I will attach the specification for the fuel for your information. One point, you might find interesting is Coleman Fuel is the preferred fuel for fire eaters, have several inquiries a year as to the benzene content and is it safe.??

I also would like to inquire if your site, could be used by the Coleman Co. as a reference link in our site.

PS: The specification is titled (US Market) there is no other one.

Notes on Diesel Fuel

<awaddington@acorn.co.uk.fuel> writes.......(Dec 1993)

Don't forget that some multifuel stoves will run on Diesel, which has the advantage of a very high calorific value per unit mass. In UK, this is "Diesel" or "DERV", the latter for road vehicles specifically. Its also possible to get hold of agricultural or "Red Diesel", which is free of excise duty, but under no circumstances should you use it in a road vehicle ! In Spain, diesel is "Gazoleo A".

Editors note: The name "diesel" is used in Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Holland, Israel, Sweden, Switzerland, USA and the UK,

Japan - Keiyu.

Italy- Gasolio per autotrazione.

France - Gas oil.

Notes on Kerosene

<StewartAG@aol.com.fuel> writes ..... (April 1996)

I have a recommendation for those seeking Kerosene. The International Specifications for Kerosene are almost if not exactly the same as commercial Jet-A Fuel. Both products have very stringent % of sulphur content.

Since I market petroleum products in the NW (Seattle-Vancover, BC and parts of Alaska) I have been purchasing Jet A in bulk and selling it as Kero for years. It works very well.

A good test for quality is check to see if the jet a is water white with no smell. I would think most airports around the world would have this product and would part with a few gallons for the needy camper. Besides, it is usually inexpensive compared to other kero like products.

Benzine and Benzene Confusion

<Geoff.Rehmet@gfsa.co.za.fuel> writes ....(Oct 1998)

Benzene refers to the Benzene ring molecule C6H6 (6's should be subscript) if I recall properly. This is not a good fuel, and is also nasty stuff - I recall being warned in chemistry class at university that it is carcinogenic. Benzine is the same as white gas. (I actually resorted to the Concise Oxford English Disctionary a short while ago to jog my memory on this subject!).

Other links

Alphabetical Listing of Notes for Various Countries

Africa

<jewitt@aqua.ccwr.ac.za.fuel> writes.........(Dec 1993)

The most practical stoves for hiking/camping etc in most of Africa are simple "meths burners" - meths is relatively cheap and availability isn't usually a problem. Meths stoves can be a bit difficult to get going if it's cold but I've always managed - even in temperatures well below freezing.

Paraffin is the most freely available fuel throughout southern Africa - but I haven't found a small stove that really works with it.

Petrol throughout southern Africa is leaded - it can be used in an emergency in pressurized stoves, but clogs up the jets really quickly.

(Editors note: Unleaded petrol is now available (June 1996) in South Africa)

White Spirit/Coleman Fuel is rarely available and then only in specialized camping shops and is really expensive. Benzine is around but you might have to hunt a bit, it's quite expensive and sometimes has all sorts of odd additives that stop it burning properly and clog up the jets

Argentina

<bikehiketour@hotmail.com.fuel> writes.... (Nov 1999)

Came across your web information sheet while doing some research for our next long distance bicycle tour. We just completed Argentina to Alaska and can provide you with some fuel information regarding some of the countries you had listed in question. We use a Trangia so are more aware of alcohol availability than other things, but will try to give other fuels where we know.

Argentina, Chile