Potential to Reduce Emissions of Sulphur Dioxide through Reducing Sulphur Levels in Heavy and Light Fuel Oils

- Discussion Paper -

Mark Tushingham
Joanna Bellamy
Oil, Gas & Energy Branch
Environment Canada

1.1 Purpose of Paper

1.2 Description of Fuels

2. Heavy Fuel Oil

2.1 Sulphur Levels in Canada

2.2. Regulated Limits for Sulphur in HFO

2.3 Benefits of Reducing Sulphur in HFO

2.4 Price Differentials for Low Sulphur and Regular HFO

3. Light Fuel Oil

3.1 Sulphur Levels in Canada

3.2 Regulated Limits for Sulphur in LFO

3.3 Benefits of Reducing Sulphur in LFO

3.4 Price Differentials for Low Sulphur and Regular LFO

References

Tables

Table 1.1 -- The distribution of sulphur in liquid fuels used in Canada in the years 1994 to 1999

Table 1.2 -- A comparison of Environment Canada and Statistics Canada volumetric data on Canadian HFO and LFO production and imports

Table 2.1 -- Volumes of HFO produced, exported and imported by region in Canada.

Table 2.2 -- Summary of the source countries for imports of HFO

Table 2.3 -- The percent of demand that the imports provide

Table 2.4 -- Requirements for sulphur in HFO.

Table 2.5 -- Expected Reductions in SO₂ Emissions from HFO for Selected Sulphur Limits (based on 1999 data)

Table 3.1-- Volumes of LFO produced, exported and imported in Canada in 1999.

Table 3.2 --- A summary of source countries for imported LFO

Table 3.3 -- Source countries and the corresponding percent of demand

Table 3.4 -- The destinations of Canadian LFO exports

Table 3.5 -- The details on the regulated levels for LFO.

Table 3.6 -- The reductions in emissions of sulphur oxides which would result for sulphur limits of 2000, 1500, 1000 and 500 ppm.

Figures

Figure 2.1 -- Volume of Heavy Fuel Oil Produced or Imported by Region during 1994-1999

Figure 2.2 -- Average Sulphur Content of Heavy Fuel Oil by Region during 1994-1999

Figure 2.3 -- Total Mass of Sulphur in Heavy Fuel Oil by Region during 1994-1999

Figure 2.4 -- Average Sulphur Content of Heavy Fuel Oil by Refinery during 1994-1999 and importer during 1998-1999

Figure 2.5 -- Price Difference - LS HFO vs Reg. HFO

Figure 2.6 -- Price Difference -- LS HFO vs Reg. HFO

Figure 3.1 -- Volume of Light Fuel Oil Produced or Imported by Region during 1994-1999

Figure 3.2 -- Average of Sulphur Content of Light Fuel Oil by Region during 1994-1999

Figure 3.3 -- Total Mass of Sulphur in Light Fuel Oils by Region during 1994-1999

Figure 3.4 -- Average Sulphur Content of Light Fuel Oil by Refinery during 1994-199 and Importer during 1998-1999

Figure 3.5 -- Percent Concentration of Sulphur in Lght Fuel Oil and Diesel during 1994-1999 in Atlantic, Quebec and Ontario Regions

Figure 3.6 -- Total Sulphur Mass in Various Fuels in Atlantic, Quebec and Ontario Regions during 1994-1999