Fuel oil
Fuel oil, a fraction derived from crude oil, is a heavy, viscous liquid used primarily as a fuel in various applications. It is obtained through the refining process of crude oil, where it is separated from lighter fractions like gasoline and diesel. Fuel oil is categorized into different grades, varying in viscosity, sulfur content, and heating value.
Heavy fuel oils are commonly used in large ships and cargo vessels as bunker fuel. In many parts of the world, especially in colder regions, fuel oil is used as a heating fuel in furnaces and boilers for residential and commercial buildings. Fuel oil is used in power plants for electricity generation, especially in regions where other energy sources like natural gas or coal are not readily available. It is also used as a backup fuel in power plants and industrial processes.