With reference to furnace oil, consider the following statements:It is a product of oil refineries.S

Question

With reference to furnace oil, consider the following statements:It is a product of oil refineries.Some industries use it to generate power.Its use causes sulphur emissions into environment.Which of the statements given above are correct?

Accepted Answer

Fuel oil (also known as heavy oil, marine fuel, bunker, furnace oil, or gasoil) is a fraction obtained from petroleum distillation. Hence, statement 1 is correct.Diesel-based power plants may use Diesel, Furnace Oil, Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO), Low Sulfur Fuel Oil (LSFO) or Low Sulfur Heavy Stock (LSHS). The Basin Bridge Diesel Generator Power Plant (DGPP) in Tamil Nadu was one such example. Hence, statement 2 is correct.The oxides of sulphur (SOx; SO2 + SO3) emissions are a direct result of the sulphur content of the fuel oil. During the combustion process this fuel-bound sulphur is rapidly oxidised to sulphur dioxide (SO2). A small fraction of the SO2, some 3-5% may be further oxidised to sulphur trioxide (SO3) within the combustion chamber and exhaust duct. Hence, statement 3 is correct.