FURNACE OIL (FO)

DEFINITION :
A dark viscous residual fuel obtained by blending mainly heavier components from crude distillation unit,
short residue and clarified oil from fluidized catalytic cracker unit.
NOMENCLATURE
Bunker fuel, furnace oil , Fuel oil are other names for the same product. Though Fuel oil is a general term
applied to any oil used for generation of power or heat, Fuel oil can included distillates and blends of
distillates and residue such as Light Diesel Oil.
SPECIFICATION
Furnace oil in the current marketing range meets Bureau of Indian Standards Specification IS : 1593 1982 for fuel oils, grade MV2.
VISCOSITY
Viscosity is the most important characteristic in the furnace oil specification. It influences the degree of
pre-heat required for handling, storage and satisfactory atomization. If the oil is too viscous it may
become difficult to pump, burner may be hard to light and operation may be erratic. Poor atomization may
result in the carbon deposits on the burner tips or on the walls. The upper viscosity limit for furnace oil is
such that it can be handled without heating in the storage tank is excepting under server cold conditions.
Pre-heating is necessary for proper atomization.
FLASH POINT
As per the Controller of Explosives classification, Furnace oil falls in the class "C" category with minimum
flash point standard of 66 deg. C. Since Penskey Martens Closed Cup method is used, it is apparent that
a small quantity of low boiling point hydrocarbons is sufficient to lower the flash point drastically.
POUR POINT
It is a very rough indication of the lowest temperature at which Furnace Oil is readily pumpable. In the
specification the pour point of Furnace oil is not stipulated. However, for Furnace oil manufactured
indigenously and for imported parcels, the pour point is such that current supplies normally can be
handled without heating the fuel oil handling installation.
WATER
Water may be present in free or emulsified form and can on combustion cause damage to the inside
furnace surfaces especially if it contains dissolved salts. It can also cause sputtering of the flame at the
burner tip. Water content of furnace oil when supplied is normally very low as the product at refinery site is
handled hot and maximum limit of 1% is specified in the standard.
SEDIMENT
Furnace oil being a blend of residues contains some quantity of sediments. These have adverse effect on
the burners and cause blockage of filters etc. However, the typical values are normally much lower than
the stipulated value of maximum 0.25 percent, by mass.
ASH

Ash is incombustible component of the furnace oil and is expressed as a percentage mass of the furnace
oil sample. Ash consists of extraneous solids, residues of organometallic compounds in solution and salts
dissolved in water present in the fuel. These salts may be compounds of sodium, vanadium, calcium
magnesium, silicon, iron etc.
Ash has erosive effect on the burner tips, causes damage to the refractories at high temperatures and
gives rise to high temperature corrosion and fouling of equipments.
SULPHUR
Sulphur determination includes burning of known quantiy of oil, treating the sulphur oxidation products
formed during combustion and weighing of sulphur in the form of sulphate.
The sulphur di oxide may come in direct contact with the product during the combustion process and may
create adverse quality effects in the product.
CALORIFIC VALUE
Calorific value of a fuel is the quantity of heat generated in kilocalories by complete burning of one
kilogram weight of fuel. Gross calorific value is higher than net calorific value to the extent of heat
required to change water formed by combustion into water vapours.

SPECIFICATION FOR FURNACE OIL-IS 1448

Sr.
No.

CHARACTERISTICS

Test
methods

Grade
LV

Grade
MV1

Grade
MV2

Grade
HV

Acidity, inorganic

P-2

NIL

NIL

NIL

NIL

Ash, % wt. max.

P-4

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.1

Gross, calorific value,

cal/g

P-6 or 7

Not limited but to be reported

Relative Density at 150C P-32

Not limited but to be reported

Flash point, (PMCC)0C,

Min.

P-21

66

66

66

66

Kinematic viscosity in
centistokes at 50 0C

P-25

80

125

180

378

Sediment, % wt. max.

P-30

0.25

0.25

0.25

0.25

Sulphur, total, % by
wt., max.

P-33 or P35

3.5

4.0

4.0

4.5

Water Content, % by
vol., max.

P-40

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

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
XVI

Purpose for which granted

Authority empowered to grant

licence

To import and store other wise than in Controller

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.

Fee
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

Requirements
Grade MV2

Characteristics

Inorganic acidity

Ash, % wt. Max

Nil

Test Method
[P:] of IS:1448
[P:2]
[P:4] Method A

0.1
3

Gross calorific value, Cal/ gm

(typical 10000)

[P:6 or 7]

Density at 15 C

To be reported

[P:32]

66

[P:21]

5
Flash point (PMCC) C. Min
O

Kinematic viscosity, cSt at 50OC

125-180

[P:25]

Sediment, % wt. Max

0.25

[P:30]

Sulphur, total % wt. Max

4.0

[P:33 or 35]

Water content, % v/v, Max

1.0

[P:40]

*Pour Point, C, Max.

27

[P:10]

10

*Pour Point varies between Summer and Winter.

Conforms to BIS specification IS:1593-1982

Sources:
http://www.petroleumbazaar.com/fo/Fospec.htm
http://www.bharatpetroleum.com/business/indFuelsSolvents_furnace_oil.asp?
from=bus