Fuels Technical Information

Sulphur is a naturally occurring element in crude oil, concentrated in the residual components of the crude oil distillation process. The amount of sulphur in the fuel oil depends mainly on the source of crude oil, and to a lesser extent on the refining process. Typically for residual fuel on a world wide basis the value is in the order or 1.5-4 % m/m.

Crude oils have a natural sulphur level and this is the primary feature which determines the sulphur level in any particular blend of fuel oil. Refining severity only has a secondary effect. Crude oils with a low level of sulphur are known as "sweet crudes" while those with a higher level are referred to as "sour crudes".

The level of sulphur in the fuel has a marginal effect on the specific energy.