Combustible Petroleum Liquids

Table 6. Common Examples of Flammable and Combustible Petroleum Liquids...

It Ls important to note that a combustible liquid at or above its flash point will behave in the same manner that a flammable liquid would in a similar emergency. As an example No.2 fuel oil when heated to a temperature of 150°F can be expected to act or react in the same way gasoline would at 50°F. In most instances, however, to reach this elevated temperature will require the introduction of an external heat source. Some common examples of combustible petroleum liquids are given in Table 7. 

Burner fuel oil any petroleum liquid suitable for combustion. 

Hydrocarbons are derivatives from petroleum or crude, but within the context of our immediate discussions, we shall use the terms petroleum liquids and hydrocarbon liquids as being interchangeable. From a fire standpoint, there are only two categories of petroleum liquids, namely flammable liquids and combustible liquids. Both categories of materials will bum however, it is into which of these two categories that a liquid belongs that determines its relative fire hazard. Of the two categories, it is the flammables that are considered to be more hazardous, principally... 

The combustible liquid category are thus those liquids whose flash points are above 100°F. The category for petroleum liquids covers a range from the 100°F flash point of kerosene to the flash point of 450°F of some motor oils. Although these materials are less hazardous than flammable liquids, they still represent fire hazards and under certain conditions are as dangerous as flammables. Some typical examples of the two categories of fire hazards for petroleum liquids are given in Table 6. 

Table 7, Examples of Petroleum Liquids That Are Combustible...

A recent paper by EIA (Energy Information Administration) within DOE (U.S. Department of Energy) indicates that CTL (coal-to-liquids) fuels, under the High Price B Case, could become a viable supplement to the petroleum liquids supply in U.S. by 2010 (1). CTL fuels made from the indirect liquefaction technology are free of sulfur and aromatics, and also have clean combustion properties. These fuels are compatible with the petroleum-based ultra-clean transportation fuels mandated by EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) for 2006 and beyond to help meet the new stringent specifications for vehicle emissions. The CTL fuels can be used either as a blending component or as neat fuel. 

Table 4.1 Examples of petroleum liquids that are combustible...

Fig. 5-22. Gross heats of combustion of liquid petroleum hydrocarbons. Courtesy of Hougen and Watson, Chem. Process Principles, vol. 1, John Wiley Sons, Inc.)...

The term oil includes a variety of liquid or easily liquefiable, unctuous, combustible substances that are soluble in ether but not in water and that leave a greasy stain on paper and cloth. These substances can include animal, vegetable, and synthetic oils, but usually the word oil refers to a mineral oil produced from petroleum (qv). An oil that has been used or contaminated, or both, but not consumed, can often be recycled to regain a useful material, regardless of its origin. For the purposes of this article, only the recycling of used petroleum oils is considered. 

Carbon disulfide [75-15-0] (carbon bisulfide, dithiocarbonic anhydride), CS2, is a toxic, dense liquid of high volatiUty and fiammabiUty. It is an important industrial chemical and its properties are well estabUshed. Low concentrations of carbon disulfide naturally discharge into the atmosphere from certain soils, and carbon disulfide has been detected in mustard oil, volcanic gases, and cmde petroleum. Carbon disulfide is an unintentional by-product of many combustion and high temperature industrial processes where sulfur compounds are present. 

Safety Considerations Design and location of storage tanks, vents, piping, and connections are specified by state fire marshals, underwriters codes, and local ordinances. In NFPA 30, Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code, 1993 (published by the National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, Mass.), liquid petroleum fuels are classified as follows for safety in handhng ... 

C, except a liquid which when tested at 55°C in the manner described in Schedule 2 to the Highly Flammable Liquids and Liquefied Petroleum Gases Regulations 1972 does not support combustion. 

FPN No. 4) For further information on ventilation, see Plammable and Combustible Liquids Code, NFPA 30-1993 and Recommended Practice for Classification of Locations for Electrical Installations at Petroleum Eacilities, API RP 500-1991, Section 4.6. 

Coal is the giant of fossil fuel resources. World reserves are many times those of petroleum, and the United States is one of the major resource holders. Coal can be used directly in combustion or converted to gas or liquid. Only combustion consumes significant amounts of coal today. 

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