Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited- Industrial Fuels and solvents-Furnace Oil

Industrial Products

Industrial Fuels and Solvents:-

	Superior Kerosene Oil (SKO)			Light Diesel Oil (LDO)

	Furnace Oil (FO)			Low Sulphur Heavy Stock (LSHS)

	Naphtha (LAN & HAN)

Furnace Oil (FO)

Furnace oil is a Dark, viscous residual fuel oil which is obtained by blending residual products from various refining processes with suitable diluent usually middle distillates to obtain the required fuel oil grades. These fuel oil grades are similar in nature and have been marketed under different specifications in various countries. In India it is sold under BIS specification under IS 1593-1982, Medium Grade 2 .

Uses of Furnace Oil are :

As fuel for Power Generation in DG Sets

As fuel for Boilers/ Furnaces/ Air preheater/ Any other Heaters

Fuel for Bunkering

Fuel/ Feedstock in Fertilizer Plants

Furnace oil is a class C product having Flash Point above 66^OC. Since this is a residual fuel, there has to be gradual filtration system to prevent the filter choking and fuel nozzles choking. Due to its viscous nature, it has to be heated to improve its flowability and to a proper temperature for proper atomisation. Normally gear pumps are preferred to avoid cavitation problems.

Furnance Oil Storage – Petroleum Rules

As far as storage of Furnace Oil storage is concerned, the rules governing the same are less stringent when compared to more volatile fuels like Petrol, diesel etc.

Form of Licence	Purpose for which granted	Authority empowered to grant licence	Fee
XVI	To import and store other wise than in bulk (a) Petroleum Class A in quantities exceeding 300 litres (b) Petroleum Class B in quantities exceeding 25000 litres (c) petroleum Class C in quantities exceeding 45000 litres or (d) partly one class and partly two classes of petroleum.	Controller	For each class of petroleum Rs. 1000 for the first 50 Kl plus Rs. 15 for every additional KL or part thereof, for every calendar year subject to a maximum of Rs. 15,000 per calendar year or part thereof.

Safety Information :

Reactivity Data - Chemically stable and incompatible with strong oxidizers. Does not React vigorously with common materials but can react with oxidizing agents
Health Hazard Data - Routes of entry may be through inhalation/ ingestion/ skin/ eye.

Effects of Exposure /Symptoms :

Ingestion - may cause spontaneous vomiting, irritation of mouth throat and gastro intestinal tract.

On prolonged exposure it makes skin dry, erythema oil acne, development of warty growths which may lead to skin cancer, skin cracking and contact dermitites. As it is handled at a high temperature, skin contact could produce burns.

On exposure to eye it may cause light to moderate irritation.

Ingested - do not induce vomiting as it may lead to chemical pneumonitis. Remove contaminated clothing immediately and wash affected area with water and soap. If eyes are affected, irrigate liberally with copious amounts of water and seek medical advice

Handling and Storage Precaution :

Store in a dry cool, well-ventilated area away from heat and flame and keep away oxidizing agents.

Avoid contact with liquid or vapours. To use gumboots while handling the product.

The fire fighting media to be used is foam, DCP/CO2.

Specification of Furnace Oil :

Sr.No	Characteristics	Requirements Grade MV2	Test Method [P:] of IS:1448
1	Inorganic acidity	Nil	[P:2]
2	Ash, % wt. Max	0.1	[P:4] Method A
3	Gross calorific value, Cal/ gm	(typical 10000)	[P:6 or 7]
4	Density at 15^OC	To be reported	[P:32]
5	Flash point (PMCC) ^OC. Min	66	[P:21]
6	Kinematic viscosity, cSt at 50^OC	125-180	[P:25]
7	Sediment, % wt. Max	0.25	[P:30]
8	Sulphur, total % wt. Max	4.0	[P:33 or 35]
9	Water content, % v/v, Max	1.0	[P:40]
10	*Pour Point, ^OC, Max.	27	[P:10]

*Pour Point varies between Summer and Winter.

Conforms to BIS specification IS:1593-1982