CO2 Emission Characteristics of Bunker C Fuel Oil by Sulfur Contents

Bunker C fuel oil is a high-viscosity oil obtained from petroleum distillation as a residue. The sulfur content of bunker C fuel oil is limited to 4.0% or even lower to protect the environment. Because bunker C fuel oil is burned in a furnace or boiler for the generation of heat or used in an engine for the generation of power, carbon dioxide is emitted as a result of combustion. The objective of this study is to investigate $CO_2$ emission characteristics of bunker C fuel oil by sulfur contents. Calorific values and carbon contents of the fuels were measured using the oxygen bomb calorimeter method and the CHN elemental analysis method, respectively. Sulfur and hydrogen contents, which were used to calculate the net calorific value, were also measured and then net calorific values and $CO_2$ emission factors were determined. The results showed that hydrogen content increases and carbon content decreases by reducing sulfur contents for bunker C fuel oil with sulfur contents less than 1.0%. For sulfur contents between 1.0% and 4.0%, carbon content increases as sulfur content decreases but there is no evident variation in hydrogen content. Net calorific value increases by reducing sulfur contents. $CO_2$ emission factor, which is calculated by dividing carbon content by net calorific value, decreases as sulfur content decreases for bunker C fuel oil with sulfur contents less than 1.0% but it showed relatively constant values for sulfur contents between 1.0% and 4.0%.

C 중유의 황 함유량에 따른 CO2 배출 특성