🌱 Environment & EcologyUPSC 2021Sustainable Development

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 the environment.Which of the statements given above are correct?

a1 and 2 only
b2 and 3 only
c1 and 3 only
d1, 2 and 3
✓ Correct answer: d) 1, 2 and 3
ExplanationStatement 1 is correct: Furnace oil or fuel oil is a dark viscous residual product of crude-oil distillation.It is used as a fuel in different types of combustion equipment.Statement 2 is correct: Marine engines and slow speed engines use Furnace oil for power generation, they are used for drying tea leaves.Thermic fluid heaters and hot air generators also use Furnace oil.Statement 3 is correct: The emissions of oxides of sulphur are a direct result of the sulphur content of the fuel oil.Furnace oil is a dark, viscous residual fuel obtained by blending mainly heavier components from crude distillation units.Compared to other petroleum products, it has a relatively low flash point and high viscosity.Its major advantages are:High energy content, making it an efficient fuel choice for heating purposesOften cost-competitive compared to other heating optionsReadily available in many regions, ensuring a consistent supplyFurnace/fuel oil combustion can produce emissions, including sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter 70

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