Properties of Liquid Fuels

 

Introduction of fuels 

The various types of fuels like liquid, solid and gaseous fuels are available for firing in boilers, furnaces and other combustion equipments. The selection of right type of fuel depends on various factors such as availability, storage, handling, pollution and landed cost of fuel.

The knowledge of the fuel properties helps in selecting the right fuel for the right purpose and efficient use of the fuel. The following characteristics, determined by laboratory tests, are generally used for assessing the nature and quality of fuels.

Properties of Liquid Fuels

Liquid fuels like furnace oil and LSHS are predominantly used in industrial application. The various properties of liquid fuels are given below.

Density 

This is defined as the ratio of the mass of the fuel to the volume of the fuel at a reference temperature of 15°C. Density is measured by an instrument called hydrometer. The knowledge of density is useful for quantity calculations and assessing ignition quality. The unit of density is kg/m3.

Specific gravity

This is defined as the ratio of the weight of a given volume of oil to the weight of the same volume of water at a given temperature. The density of fuel, relative to water, is called specific gravity. The specific gravity of water is defined as 1. Since specific gravity is a ratio, it has no units. The measurement of specific gravity is generally made by a hydrometer.

Specific gravity is used in calculations involving weights and volumes. The specific gravity of various fuel oils are given in Table: 

Viscosity 

The viscosity of a fluid is measure of its internal resistance to flow. Viscosity depends on temperature and decreases as the temperature increases. Any numerical value for viscosity has no meaning unless the temperature is also specified. Viscosity is measured in Stokes / Centistokes. Sometimes viscosity is also quoted in Engler, Saybolt or Redwood. Each type of oil has its own temperature - viscosity relationship. The measurement of viscosity is made with an instrument called Viscometer.

Viscosity is the most important characteristic in the storage and use of fuel oil. 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, hard to light the burner, and tough to operate. Poor atomization may result in the formation of carbon deposits on the burner tips or on the walls. Therefore pre- heating is necessary for proper atomization.

Flash Point

The flash point of a fuel is the lowest temperature at which the fuel can be heated so that the vapor gives off flashes momentarily when an open flame is passed over it. Flash point for furnace oil is 66 C.

Pour Point

The pour point of a fuel is the lowest temperature at which it will pour or flow when cooled under prescribed conditions. It is a very rough indication of the lowest temperature at which fuel oil is readily pumpable.

Specific Heat

Specific heat is the amount of kcal needed to raise the temperature of 1 kg of oil by 1°C. The unit of specific heat is kcal/kg C. It varies from 0.22 to 0.28 depending on the oil specific gravity. The specific heat determines how much steam or electrical energy it takes to heat oil to a desired temperature. Light oils have a low specific heat, whereas heavier oils have a higher specific heat.

Calorific Value

The calorific value is the measurement of heat or energy produced and is measured either as gross calorific value or net calorific value. The difference being the latent heat of condensation of the water vapour produced during the combustion process. Gross calorific value (GCV) assumes all vapour produced during the combustion process is fully condensed. Net calorific value (NCV) assumes the water leaves with the combustion products without fully being condensed. Fuels should be compared based on the net calorific value.

The calorific value of coal varies considerably depending on the ash, moisture content and the type of coal while calorific value of fuel oil is much more consistent. The typical Gross Calorific Values of some of the commonly used liquid fuels are given below:

The following conversion formula shows the difference between GCV and NCV.

GCV = NCV +584 ((9H₂% + M%)/100)

Where,                                                                   

GCV= Gross calorific value of fuel, kcal/kg

NCV = Net calorific value of fuel, kcal/kg

H₂%= Hydrogen % by weight present in the fuel

M% = Moisture % by weight present in the fuel

584 = Latent heat corresponding to partial pressure of water vapour, kcal/kg

Sulphur                                                                                                                                             

The amount of Sulphur in the fuel oil depends mainly on the source of the crude oil and to a lesser extent on the refining process. The normal sulfur content for the residual fuel oil (furnace oil) is in the order of 2-4%.

Typical figures are:                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                                         The main disadvantage of Sulphur is the risk of corrosion by Sulphuric acid formed during and after combustion , and condensing in cool parts of the chimney or stack, air pre-heater and economiser.

Ash Content                                                                                                                                 

The ash value is related to the inorganic material in the fuel oil. The ash levels of distillate fuels are negligible. Residual fuels have more of the ash-forming constituents. These salts may be compounds of sodium, vanadium, calcium, magnesium, silicon, iron, aluminum, nickel, etc.

Typically, the ash value is in the range 0.03-0.07%. Excessive ash in liquid fuels can cause fouling deposits in the combustion equipment. 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.

Carbon Residue                                                                                                                                

Carbon residue indicates the tendency of oil to deposit a carbonaceous solid residue on a hot surface, such as a burner or injection nozzle, when its vaporisable constituents evaporate. Residual oil contains carbon residue ranging from 1 percent or more.

Water Content                                                                                                                               

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.