Low sulphur, high risk?

摘要

Until now demand for low sulphur HFO (LSHFO) has been met from crude oil stocks. However, with increased demand for LSHFO resulting from tighter environmental regulation in the form of MARPOL Annex VI and the imminent introduction of SOx Emission Control Areas (SECAs), it is likely suppliers and operators will be compelled to seek alternative sources, approaches and/or treatments. Desulphurisation is one option, but while technically possible, the investment costs are not considered economically viable. Furthermore LSHFOs produced by desulphurisation will often be characterised by lower aromaticity, and depending on the severity of the refinery process, fuel instability. Density and viscosity, on the other hand, are less of an issue as these properties can be maintained at their original level by altering the dosage and quality of diluents. The impact of delsulphurisation on ignition properties, meanwhile, is still not fully understood.