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Oil HeatOil Heat

Properties of Fuel OilProperties of Fuel Oil

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• Fuel oil is the only liquid fuel used for residential and light commercial heating.

• It is refined from petroleum and is called a “distillate” because it is distilled from crude oil.

• Six fuel oils are in common use: No.’s 1,2,4,5L,5H, and 6.

• All these fuels vary greatly among one another, and only one is used for residential and light commercial heating: No.2 fuel oil.

• Fuel oil is the only liquid fuel used for residential and light commercial heating.

• It is refined from petroleum and is called a “distillate” because it is distilled from crude oil.

• Six fuel oils are in common use: No.’s 1,2,4,5L,5H, and 6.

• All these fuels vary greatly among one another, and only one is used for residential and light commercial heating: No.2 fuel oil.

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• It is good to be aware of the other fuel oils, but you don’t need to have a great amount of knowledge of them for most residential and light commercial work.

• The properties of oil determines the grade and the reason a particular fuel oil is chosen for a specific application.

• It is good to be aware of the other fuel oils, but you don’t need to have a great amount of knowledge of them for most residential and light commercial work.

• The properties of oil determines the grade and the reason a particular fuel oil is chosen for a specific application.

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• Fuel oil is broken down into different properties:

• They are:» Heating value» Carbon- hydrogen content» Flash point» Viscosity» Carbon residue» Water and sediment» Pour point» Ash content» Distillation quality

• Fuel oil is broken down into different properties:

• They are:» Heating value» Carbon- hydrogen content» Flash point» Viscosity» Carbon residue» Water and sediment» Pour point» Ash content» Distillation quality

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Heating ValueHeating Value

• The heating value of the oils varies from approximately 135,00 btu’s/per gallon for no.1 oil

• Approximately 153,000 btu’s/per gallon for no.6 fuel oil.

• No. 2 oil has a heating range of 137,000 to 140,000 btu/per gallon.

• The heating value of the oils varies from approximately 135,00 btu’s/per gallon for no.1 oil

• Approximately 153,000 btu’s/per gallon for no.6 fuel oil.

• No. 2 oil has a heating range of 137,000 to 140,000 btu/per gallon.

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Heating Value of No.2 Fuel OilHeating Value of No.2 Fuel Oil

1 Gallon of No.2 Fuel Oil

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Carbon-Hydrogen ContentCarbon-Hydrogen Content

• Fuel oils are made of carbon and hydrogen.• A chemical formula tells us the carbon-

hydrogen relationship.• No.2 fuel oil contains approximately 85%

carbon and 15% hydrogen.• The more carbon the oil contains, the more

heating value it contains.• The higher number oils, like No.6 may contain

88% carbon. These oils are also called “heavy oils” because they weigh more than the other oils.

• Fuel oils are made of carbon and hydrogen.• A chemical formula tells us the carbon-

hydrogen relationship.• No.2 fuel oil contains approximately 85%

carbon and 15% hydrogen.• The more carbon the oil contains, the more

heating value it contains.• The higher number oils, like No.6 may contain

88% carbon. These oils are also called “heavy oils” because they weigh more than the other oils.

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• No.2 oil weighs from 6.96 to 7.29 pounds per gallon, and No. 6 oil weighs around 8.05 to 8.44 pounds per gallon.

• No.2 oil weighs from 6.96 to 7.29 pounds per gallon, and No. 6 oil weighs around 8.05 to 8.44 pounds per gallon.

No.2 oil

6.96 to 7.29 pounds

No. 6 oil

8.05 to 8.44 pounds

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Flash pointFlash point

• The flash point involves the storage and handling of the fuel oil.

• All liquid fuels have a maximum safe storage and handling temperature.

• The flash point is the lowest temperature at which vapors above the fuel oil ignite in the air when exposed to a flame.

• The lighter the oil, the lower the flash point, and the lower the maximum storage temperature must be.

• The flash point involves the storage and handling of the fuel oil.

• All liquid fuels have a maximum safe storage and handling temperature.

• The flash point is the lowest temperature at which vapors above the fuel oil ignite in the air when exposed to a flame.

• The lighter the oil, the lower the flash point, and the lower the maximum storage temperature must be.

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ViscosityViscosity

• Viscosity is the thickness of the oil under normal temperatures.

• This thickness determines the size of the metering device used to govern the amount of fuel flowing to an oil burner.

• Since the heavier oils are thicker, they require larger metering devices

• Viscosity is the thickness of the oil under normal temperatures.

• This thickness determines the size of the metering device used to govern the amount of fuel flowing to an oil burner.

• Since the heavier oils are thicker, they require larger metering devices

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• Viscosity is expressed in “Saybolt Universal Viscosity seconds” (SUS), which describes how much oil will drip through a calibrated hole at a certain temperature.

• As the temperature drops on a certain oil, the thicker it will become, causing the oil to drip through the calibrated hole less and less.

• Viscosity is expressed in “Saybolt Universal Viscosity seconds” (SUS), which describes how much oil will drip through a calibrated hole at a certain temperature.

• As the temperature drops on a certain oil, the thicker it will become, causing the oil to drip through the calibrated hole less and less.

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Carbon ResidueCarbon Residue

• A carbon residue test can be performed on an oil sample by vaporizing a known weight of the oil in a process in which oxygen is absent.

• The remaining carbon residue is measured.• If the oil is being burned properly, it will not

leave any carbon residue.

• A carbon residue test can be performed on an oil sample by vaporizing a known weight of the oil in a process in which oxygen is absent.

• The remaining carbon residue is measured.• If the oil is being burned properly, it will not

leave any carbon residue.

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Water and sediment contentWater and sediment content

• The fuel oil should be refined and delivered with a minimum of water and sediment.

• To much sediment plugs up filters and strainers.

• Water in the oil causes poor flame characteristics and burning problems. It also corrodes the inside of the fuel containers and pipelines that are made of steel and iron.

• The fuel oil should be refined and delivered with a minimum of water and sediment.

• To much sediment plugs up filters and strainers.

• Water in the oil causes poor flame characteristics and burning problems. It also corrodes the inside of the fuel containers and pipelines that are made of steel and iron.

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• Corrosion can loosen and get lodged in strainers and filters, and in cold climates, it can freeze and block the flow of oil.

• Refineries, and distributor’s are responsible for caring for and delivery of clean, dry oil.

• Corrosion can loosen and get lodged in strainers and filters, and in cold climates, it can freeze and block the flow of oil.

• Refineries, and distributor’s are responsible for caring for and delivery of clean, dry oil.

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Pour pointPour point

• Pour point is the lowest temperature at which the fuel can be stored and handled.

• No.2 fuel oil is one of the lower pour point fuels

• Which means, that it can be used at lower temperatures and stored outside.

• Heavier fuel oil are more sensitive to cold and become thick when exposed to low temperatures.

• Pour point is the lowest temperature at which the fuel can be stored and handled.

• No.2 fuel oil is one of the lower pour point fuels

• Which means, that it can be used at lower temperatures and stored outside.

• Heavier fuel oil are more sensitive to cold and become thick when exposed to low temperatures.

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Ash contentAsh content

• The ash content of fuel oil indicates the amount of non combustible materials in the fuel oil.

• These materials pass through the flame without burning and are contaminants.

• They can be abrasive and wear down burner components.

• The refinery is responsible for keeping the ash content within the required tolerance.

• The ash content of fuel oil indicates the amount of non combustible materials in the fuel oil.

• These materials pass through the flame without burning and are contaminants.

• They can be abrasive and wear down burner components.

• The refinery is responsible for keeping the ash content within the required tolerance.

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Distillation QualityDistillation Quality

• Oil must be turned into a vapor before it can be burned.

• The distillation quality describes the ability of the oil to be vaporized.

• Oil must be turned into a vapor before it can be burned.

• The distillation quality describes the ability of the oil to be vaporized.