What is Fuel Oil?
A simple definition for fuel oil is a lighter type of oil, or a liquid byproduct of crude oil, which is used for energy, especially in regard to heating. When petroleum is refined, there are two main categories under which it is classified. One is distillate oils, which includes diesel, and the other is residual oils, which includes things like kerosene. Different types of fuel oil are classified under both categories. Distillate fuel oil is the type generally used for home heating. While gasoline is also a byproduct of the petroleum refining process, it is far less stable than the fuel oil used to heat homes and commercial properties. Even so, the rise and fall of gas prices is generally a good indicator of the stability, or lack thereof, of fuel oil prices. Since the price of crude oil directly affects the price of fuel oil, consumers should be prepared to pay more to heat their homes as the worldwide demand for oil and gas continues to increase. The costs of refining must also be fi
Fuel oil is a general term for a number of burnable liquids made from crude oil. Most common is Fuel Oil No.1 (also called kerosene), range oil, and jet fuel (JP5). Fuel oils 1-D and 2-D are diesel fuels. Fuel oil No. 2 is home heating oil, and fuel oil No. 4 is a diesel fuel for boats. All fuel oil mixtures have similar chemical and physical properties. Fuel oils are used to run many types of engines, lamps and heaters. Sometimes small amounts of fuel oil are stored in portable containers for use in space heaters, to clean metal parts, or used in camp stoves or lanterns. Most fuel oil entering the environment comes from spills or leaking storage tanks. When spilled on soil, some components of fuel oil attach to soil. Furthermore, fuel spilled on water or soil, evaporates into the air. Fuel oil can also contaminate soil sediments and private drinking water supplies. HOW ARE PEOPLE EXPOSED TO FUEL OIL? Breathing: People can breathe fuel oil vapors when filling tanks or after a spill. Ot
