Detriments to Air Quality and Oil-Fired Heating Systems
in connection with the use of High Sulfur Fuel
typically known as #2 Heating Oil

The sulfur content of #2 Heating Oil is 3000 PPM, the maximum allowed by the State of Maryland. Approximately 99% of the sulfur in fuel is oxidized to sulfur dioxide during combustion and emitted from the stack or chimney. This combustion product contributes to air pollution. Sulfur in any fuel results in sulfur oxide emissions and sulfur oxide is a primary component in acid rain, which has also been linked in certain studies to lung cancer.

The remaining 1% of the sulfur in fuel converts to sulfur trioxide in the flame. This then reacts to form sulfuric acid, which condenses on any boiler or furnace surface below the dewpoint of the acid/water system – about 220 F. The acid reacts with iron from the wall to form iron sulfate scale (a corrosive product) on heat exchanger surfaces. Iron sulfate scale contributes significantly to the process of heat exchanger fouling. The efficiency of Oil-Fired Heating Systems degrades over time as heat exchanger surfaces become fouled. The rate of degradation is estimated at 2% per year and annual cleaning of the heat exchanger is required to maintain equipment performance.

Studies of these findings have been conducted by Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) funded by the US Department of Energy, and by the CANMET Energy Technology Center (CETC) in Ottawa under sponsorship of the American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). The findings of these studies were documented by the New York State Premium Low-Sulfur Heating Fuel Marketplace Demonstration, a project funded by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

Heat Exchanger Corrosion

These photos show iron sulfate scale on boiler heat exchangers of the same make using heating fuel with different sulfur content as identified. Approximately 400 gallons were consumed.

High Sulfur #2 Fuel maximum sulfur content 3000 PPM		ULTRA LS Heating Oil™ maximum sulfur content 15 PPM

As you can see, High Sulfur #2 Fuel has produced considerable scale build up, thereby decreasing the efficiency of the boiler. Additionally, the heat exchanger now requires frequent cleaning. Otherwise the scale deposits shown in the photos will continue to build further reducing boiler efficiency and eventually the scale deposits will corrode the heat exchanger. Excessive corrosion of the heat exchanger results in premature replacement of the heat exchanger or entire heating system.

ULTRA LS Heating Oil™ leaves virtually no scale deposits on the heat exchanger because of the extremely low sulfur content. If fact, complete heating systems installed 3 years ago with no cleaning still look brand new!

Air Quality - Anne Arundel County
In 2002, we began monitoring annual air pollution news with our local paper and here’s what the headlines have read each year…

“County Ozone Levels Among Worst in Nation”
  Maryland Gazette, September 21, 2002
“County Bears Brunt of Bad Air”
  Maryland Gazette, May 3, 2003
“County Air 17th Worst in Nation”
   Maryland Gazette, May 1, 2004
“County Air Rated Among Worst in Nation”
  Maryland Gazette, April 30, 2005
“Anne Arundel gets ‘F’ on National Air Quality Report”
  Capital Gazette, April 27, 2006
“More Bad News: Air Dirtier than Bay”
  Maryland Gazette, May 9, 2007
“Air dirtier than Bay, Report Says: Anne Arundel gets F’s for Air Quality”
  Capital Gazette, May 1, 2007
“Area’s Air Pollution Among Worst in Nation”
  Capital Gazette, May 1, 2008
“County, State get Poor Grades for Air Pollution”
  Capital Gazette, April 29, 2009

Although most of these articles actually refer to ozone pollution, the fact is Anne Arundel County’s Air is Polluted. ULTRA LS Heating Oil reduces those harmful emissions that contribute to the area’s poor air quality.