Fuel oil

Fuel oil, also known as heating oil or bunker fuel, is a type of liquid fuel derived from crude oil. It is commonly used as a source of energy for heating and powering industrial processes. Fuel oil is typically a dark, viscous liquid with a high energy density.

There are different grades or types of fuel oil, categorized based on their viscosity and sulfur content. The most common grades include:

Residual Fuel Oil (RFO): This is a heavy and viscous fuel oil with a high sulfur content. It is commonly used in industrial boilers, power plants, and large-scale heating systems.

Distillate Fuel Oil: This is a lighter and less viscous fuel oil with lower sulfur content compared to residual fuel oil. It is used in smaller-scale heating systems, such as residential furnaces, as well as in some industrial applications.

Fuel oil is typically burned in furnaces, boilers, and other combustion systems to generate heat or produce steam. It is commonly used for heating residential and commercial buildings, providing heat for industrial processes, and as a fuel for marine vessels, particularly large ships. In some regions, fuel oil is also used as a backup or emergency fuel for electricity generation.

It’s worth noting that the use of fuel oil has been declining in some areas due to concerns about its environmental impact, particularly regarding air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Some regions have implemented regulations to limit the sulfur content in fuel oil or have shifted towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.