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Oilheat Air Emissions and the Advantages of Low Sulfur Fuel

This presentation discusses the benefits of using low sulfur fuel in oilheat systems, including lower air emissions and improved environmental impact. Topics covered include the reduction of PM, NOx, and SOx emissions, cost savings, and the potential for new technologies such as biodiesel and low sulfur fuel blends. Presented by John E Batey PE, President of Energy Research Center Inc.

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Oilheat Air Emissions and the Advantages of Low Sulfur Fuel

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  1. Oilheat Air Emissions and the Advantages of Low Sulfur Fuel A Presentation to NYS Dept of Environmental Conservation Presented by: John E. Batey, PE, President Energy Research Center, Inc. May 30, 2003

  2. Topics for Presentation: • Overview of Home Oil Burner Air Emissions • Results of Low Sulfur Oil Studies • Brookhaven National Laboratory • NYSERDA - Buhrmaster Energy • Summary of Advantages • New Technologies • Biodiesel /Low S Fuel Blends • New oilheat Applications

  3. Overview of Home Oil Burner Air Emissions • Comparison of Air Emission Rates • Lower PM Emissions • Nitrogen Oxide Emissions • Sulfur Oxide Emissions

  4. Key Points : Air Emission Rates • Oil burner emissions of PM, Carbon Monoxide, Hydrocarbons, NOx, and Sulfur Oxides are much lower than the average combustion source in the US. • Emission rates range from 1/2 (SOx) to 1/123rd (Hydrocarbons) of the average combustion source in the US. • Low sulfur (0.05%) fuel oil that is now available lowers SOx emissions by 80%. • Total Air Pollutant Emissions from #2 oil range from only 0.04% to 0.69% of the US total each year.

  5. Ref: USEPA and BNL Report 52249

  6. Key Points : Oil PM Emissions • Over the past three decades, PM (smoke and soot) have dropped by a factor of 20 or 95%. (Ref: BNL and USEPA) • Improved oil burner designs (flame retention) and higher air pressure produce more complete combustion, more stable flames, and lower PM. • Tests at BNL measured PM emission rates for modern burners of only 0.003 #/MMBTU of fuel. • This is similar to natural gas burners (ref: AP-42) • Home oil produces only 0.12% of the total PM emissions in the US each year

  7. Key Points : Oil NOx Emissions

  8. Ref: USEPA Publication AP-42

  9. Key Points: Oil SOx Emissions • Home heating oil and natural gas both emit low levels of sulfur oxides • Low sulfur fuel oil (0.05%) produces small amounts of sulfur oxides • Electric heat pumps emit 8 to 32 times more SOx than home oil burners • Electric heat emits 16 to 64 times more SOx than home oil burners • Ultralow S oil (15 ppm) emits the lowest levels of SO2.

  10. Results of Low Sulfur Oil Studies: Advantages of Low Sulfur Oil • Brookhaven National Laboratory • NYSERDA - Buhrmaster Energy Group • Summary of Advantages

  11. Effect of Fuel Sulfur on PM EmissionsRef: CETC

  12. NYSERDA - Buhrmaster Energy Group Low Sulfur Demonstration • Demonstratethe advantages of reduced sulfur fuel oil through field testingin 1000 homes • Evaluate actual changes in heating equipment performancewith the lower sulfur fuel -measure differences in heating unit deposits, stack temperature, and other measures. • Investigate and evaluate reductions in service costs by using low sulfur oil – through increased service intervals • This field study program can help to overcome obstacles to widespread use of low sulfur heating oil by quantifying the benefitsincluding changes in servicerequirements.

  13. NYSERDA - Buhrmaster Field Study

  14. Cost Savings with Low S Oil

  15. Economic Benefit of low S Oil(Reduced Vacuum Cleaning Costs)

  16. Reduction in NOx EmissionsLow Sulfur Fuel Oil

  17. Emissions Reduction - NYS • SO2 emissions in NYS are reduced 67,620,000 pounds or 33,800 tons per yearby using fuel oil with 0.05% sulfur oil. • “Environmental cost” savings for New York State by using low sulfur fuel oil are $5.6 million a year by applying emission cost factors. • Savings by improved heater efficiency for NYS is estimated to be $11.5 million a year by reduced fouling of heat exchanger surfaces. • Homeowners can save approximately $65 million a year through lower service costs

  18. Advantages of Low S Oil • Lower Service Costs - $200 MM/Yr (nationwide) • Service Savings > Added Fuel Cost • Lower SOx Emissions ~80% • Lower PM and NOx emissions • Extended vacuum cleaning intervals • Improved Environmental Impact for Oil (equivalent to Nat gas) • Emission Reduction Credit Potential

  19. New Technologies • Biodiesel /Low S Fuel Blends • SO2 reduced 83% or more • Good Combustion • NOx lowered 20% • New oilheat Applications • Condensing Furnaces/Boilers • Reduced Firing Rates • New generation of appliance (similar to nat gas equipment)

  20. Summary • Home oil burners now produce low levels of air emissions: PM, NOx, SOx, CO, HC • Low sulfur oil lowers air emissions substantially: SOx, PM, NOx • Many Economic Advantages of Low Sulfur home heating oil • Biodiesel / Low S Blends reduce emissions even further • Lower sulfur oil permits new technologies: condensing furnaces

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