Sylvie Willis
Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) is a category of fuel oils with a tar-like consistency, obtained from the remnants of the distillation and cracking process of petroleum. It is highly toxic and polluting due to its elevated density and high viscosity, which prevent it from breaking down in the environment. HFO is widely used as a marine fuel for propulsion in ships and is cheaper than cleaner fuel sources. Diesel, on the other hand, is a distillate product of refining crude oil and is used as an over-the-road fuel for trucks, SUVs, and buses. It is more expensive than Heavy Fuel Oil but less polluting.
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What You'll Learn
Environmental impact
Heavy fuel oil (HFO) is the result or remnant from the distillation and cracking process of petroleum. It is toxic to humans and wildlife and highly polluting to the environment. HFO is highly concentrated in sulfur and contains other contaminants, leading to higher emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and other harmful substances. Shipping contributes 8% of global sulfur dioxide emissions, which cause acid rain and respiratory diseases. HFO is also harder to clean up in the event of a spill due to its viscosity and stickiness, and it tends to stick to surfaces, sink, or emulsify in seawater. Its density and persistence mean it can pollute both the water column and seabed, and it lasts longer in cooler waters. HFO is exempt from some international agreements on emissions, although there is pressure to reduce its use and emissions by 2050.
In contrast, diesel fuel is a distillate of crude oil with a lower density and viscosity than HFO. It does not require heating during storage and has a lower content of sulfur and other contaminants. Diesel is used in automobiles and trucks on land, while marine diesel oil (MDO) is used in ships and is a blend of distillates and a small amount of HFO.
The use of HFO has significant environmental impacts. As well as contributing to climate change through carbon emissions, HFO emissions contain harmful substances such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide, which cause air pollution and acid rain. HFO also emits black carbon, which is particularly concerning in sensitive ecological areas like the Arctic. The risk of oil spills is also higher with HFO due to its viscosity, and spills can have devastating effects on local marine environments.
Due to the environmental concerns associated with HFO, its use is discouraged in the Arctic and banned in the Antarctic. There is a growing consensus that HFO should be phased out and replaced with cleaner fuel sources such as distillates, LNG, or other alternatives. The shipping industry is evaluating alternatives such as LNG, Marine Gas Oil (MGO), Marine Diesel Oil (MDO), Ammonia (NH3), Methanol (CH3OH), Fuel Cell Batteries, Hydrogen (H), and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).
While diesel fuel is generally considered less harmful to the environment than HFO, it still contributes to pollution and emissions. Diesel engines have undergone adaptations to meet contemporary market demands and environmental standards, and the switch from HFO to diesel can lead to reduced emissions in some cases. However, diesel fuel is still a fossil fuel, and its use contributes to climate change and air pollution.
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Sulphur content
On the other hand, diesel is a distillate product created through the refining of crude oil. It is a type of fuel oil that falls under the category of heavier petroleum-derived oils. Diesel is widely used in cars, SUVs, trucks, buses, and marine vessels. While diesel also contributes to emissions, the switch from HFO to diesel can lead to significant emission reductions, particularly for SO2.
The sulphur content in HFO is notably higher than in diesel. HFO has been reported to have a sulphur concentration of 35,000 parts per million, resulting in global shipping contributing to 8% of global sulphur dioxide emissions. Marine diesel engines can operate with up to 2.0% sulphur content, and the use of low sulphur marine gasoil, with a sulphur content of under 0.1%, is encouraged in protected areas to reduce emissions.
The distinction in sulphur content between HFO and diesel has led to the classification of low sulphur fuel oils (LSFOs) and ultra-low sulphur fuel oils (ULSFOs). The latter, with a sulphur content of under 0.1%, is commonly used in medium- to high-speed diesel engines. The use of scrubbers is an alternative technology to reduce sulphur emissions in marine fuels, allowing the continued use of higher-sulphur HFO blends with a maximum sulphur content of 3.5%.
In summary, the sulphur content of HFO and diesel plays a critical role in their environmental impact and usage. HFO, with its high sulphur concentration, contributes significantly to sulphur dioxide emissions and air pollution. Diesel, while also emitting SO2, has a lower sulphur content and is often used as an alternative to reduce emissions from HFO. The sulphur content of marine fuels is regulated to mitigate environmental concerns, with protected areas implementing stricter limits on sulphur emissions.
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Use cases
Heavy fuel oil (HFO) is a category of fuel oils with a tar-like consistency. It is the result of the distillation and cracking process of petroleum, which leaves behind a sludge-like residue. Due to its high viscosity and density, HFO is particularly harmful to the environment when spilled. Its use and carriage are banned in the Antarctic and discouraged in the Arctic due to the risk of oil spills and the emission of toxic compounds. HFOs are predominantly used as a fuel source for marine vessel propulsion using marine diesel engines due to their relatively low cost compared to cleaner fuel sources.
Diesel, on the other hand, is a distillate product created through the refining of crude oil. It is a type of fuel oil, which refers to any liquid fuel used in an engine to generate power or burned in a furnace or boiler to generate heat. Diesel is commonly used in cars, SUVs, trucks, and buses, particularly in Europe. It is also used as a backup fuel for peaking power plants and small electrical generators.
The main difference between HFO and diesel lies in their sulphur content. HFO has a very high sulphur content (35,000 parts per million), making it highly polluting. Sulphur is also present in diesel, but at a much lower concentration (0.001%). Marine diesel, in particular, can have up to 2.0% sulphur.
In terms of grades, HFO has different grades ranging from A to C, with C being the most toxic. Diesel, meanwhile, is classified as either white diesel (road diesel or DERV) or red diesel (gas oil), with the only difference being the addition of a red dye marker in red diesel for industrial purposes.
Overall, HFO is a cheaper but more toxic and polluting fuel source compared to diesel. While HFO is commonly used in marine vessels, its use is restricted in certain regions due to environmental concerns. Diesel, on the other hand, is more widely used in vehicles and power generation but is more expensive and less polluting.
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Cost
Heavy fuel oil (HFO) is a waste product of the refinery process, so it is relatively inexpensive. For example, in October 2016, the price of a ton of HFO was approximately $290.00 USD, while a ton of distillate fuel was $516.00 USD. However, when considering the price of HFO, it is critical to incorporate the environmental consequences and the costs of responding to an HFO spill. For example, the 2002 Prestige oil spill that affected Spain, France, and Portugal resulted in a total estimated cost of a little over three billion euros.
Diesel fuel, on the other hand, is primarily used for construction machinery, agricultural vehicles, off-road vehicles, and non-highway applications. It is also used as a substitute for heating oil in emergency situations but is not suitable for long-term use. The cost of diesel fuel may be higher than heating oil at certain times, but this can fluctuate with supply and demand and change during winter when demand for heating oil increases.
Heating oil, also known as a "kerosene mix" or "home heating oil winter blend", is a combination of No. 2 and No. 1 fuel oil. It has a lower viscosity, making it more efficient for home heating. Heating oil also has a slightly lower BTU output (137,000) compared to diesel fuel (139,000), making it more cost-efficient. Heating oil enjoys reduced tax status due to its essential role for consumers and is tinted with red dye to distinguish it from higher-taxed diesel fuel.
While red diesel is commonly used for domestic and commercial heating, kerosene and industrial heating oil (IHO) are much more cost-effective. Red diesel is similar to regular diesel but is considerably cheaper as it is intended for use in non-road vehicles and machinery.
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Viscosity
Heavy fuel oil (HFO) is a category of fuel oils with a tar-like consistency. It is the result of the distillation and cracking process of petroleum. HFO has a maximum viscosity of 700 mm2/s (cSt) at 50°C according to ISO 8217. This viscosity is significantly higher than that of diesel fuel, which is a distillate fuel with a lower boiling point and carbon chain length.
The high viscosity of HFO means that it must be heated to be pumped, typically to a temperature of at least 40°C. In comparison, diesel fuel is a lighter and less viscous fuel that can be pumped at room temperature.
The viscosity of HFO also contributes to its environmental impact. When spilled into the environment, HFO's viscosity prevents it from breaking down, leading to pollution of the water column and seabed. This property is exacerbated by cold temperatures, which cause the formation of tar lumps and an increase in volume through emulsification.
The viscosity of HFO also affects its ignition quality. HFO has a lower ignition quality compared to diesel, as indicated by its lower cetane number. Diesel fuel, particularly low-viscosity diesel, has a higher ignition quality, making it suitable for high-performance engines.
In summary, the viscosity of heavy fuel oil and diesel fuel are key differentiators between these two types of fuel. HFO has a much higher viscosity, which impacts its pumping requirements, environmental impact, and ignition quality. Diesel fuel, on the other hand, is a lighter and less viscous fuel that is more suitable for modern engines.
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Frequently asked questions
Heavy fuel oil (HFO) is a category of fuel oils with a tar-like consistency. It is the result of the distillation and cracking process of petroleum. HFO is highly toxic and polluting due to its elevated density and viscosity, as well as its high sulphur content.
Diesel is a distillate product of petroleum refining, which is less volatile than kerosene. It is used as a fuel for trucks, SUVs, buses, and some cars, as well as for marine diesel engines. Marine diesel typically contains up to 2.0% sulphur and lubricants.
Heavy fuel oil is a denser and more viscous fuel than diesel, which is why it is often mixed with lighter fuels like diesel. Diesel is a distillate product of petroleum refining, while heavy fuel oil is a residual product, meaning it is what remains after the distillation process. Diesel is used more commonly for road vehicles, while heavy fuel oil is predominantly used for marine vessels.
Heavy fuel oil is controversial due to its high toxicity and pollution levels. Its elevated density and viscosity make it particularly harmful to the environment, and its high sulphur content contributes to acid rain and respiratory diseases. The use of heavy fuel oil has been banned in the Antarctic and discouraged in the Arctic due to its environmental impact.
