Fuel Oil

Fuel oil is a low viscosity, liquid petroleum product, consisting mainly of residues from crude-oil distillations. Fuel oil is made up of long-chain hydrocarbons, especially alkanes, cycloalkanes, and aromatics. Fuel oil falls into the category of heavy industrial fuels, which is heavier than diesel and naphtha fuels. Fuel oil includes trace metals, high-molecular-weight sulfur-containing compounds, asphalts, coke, salt, silt, and etc. The other name of Fuel oil that commonly used are:

• Crown oil,
• Furnace oil,
• Industrial heating oil,
• Home heating oil

In commercial fuel oils, other petroleum fractions with higher viscosities are blended with it and produce the desired viscosity and flash point.

The first advantage of fuel oil is that not being explosive except in special conditions (It’s ignited at the specific system). So it can be stored safely, and also it can be used in boilers and furnaces without any safety issues. The other benefit is the economical side, which is extremely cheaper than gas and electricity.

 Types of Fuel Oil

Fuel oil is divided into six classes, numbered 1 through 6, based on its boiling point, composition and purpose. The boiling point is between 175 to 600 °C, and carbon chain length is 20 to 70 atoms. Viscosity also increases with number, between the lightest to the heaviest oil types.

Fuel oil titles 180, 230, 280 and 380 are supplied which somehow represent the viscosity of furnace oil supplied.

Application Of Fuel Oil

Fuel oil can be used for burning in furnaces, boilers, stoves, and lanterns to generate heat. It is used primarily for steam boilers in power plants, aboard ships, trains and in industrial plants.