UPSC Prelims 2021 Question:

With reference to furnace oil

consider the following statements: 

1. It is a product of oil refineries. 
2. Some industries use it to generate power. 
3. Its use causes sulphur emissions into environment.
   
   

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Explanation:

• Furnace oil is also known as bunker fuel, Fuel oil. It is a product of oil refineries and it can include distillates and blends of distillates and residue such as Light Diesel Oil. So, statement 1 is correct.
  
  
• Furnace oil uses include heating up homes and fuel trucks lighting up furnaces, producing steam for industrial uses and for generating electric energy. 
  
  
• It is produced from burnable liquids derived from crude oil and is also called kerosene, home heating oil, diesel fuel or coal oil. So, statement 2 is correct.
  
  
• The oxides of sulphur (SOx; SO2 + SO3) emissions are a direct result of the sulphur content of the fuel oil. 
•  
• During the combustion process, this fuel-bound sulphur is rapidly oxidised to sulphur dioxide (SO2). So, statement 3 is correct. 
  
  

Therefore, option (4) is the correct answer.

Relevance: On Kerala coast, 2000 litres of furnace oil leaked from Travancore Titanium Products (TTP) factory.

Subject: Environment | Miscellaneous