Cracked HSFO

Cracked Heavy Sulfur Fuel Oil (Cracked HSFO) is a residual fuel oil produced as a byproduct of various thermal cracking processes in oil refineries, most notably delayed coking and fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) when processing heavy, high-sulfur crude oils or residues. It is not a deliberately manufactured product but rather an unavoidable output from these cracking units. Unlike regular HSFO, which is primarily a blend of distillation residues, Cracked HSFO has undergone severe thermal processing, resulting in distinct characteristics. These characteristics usually include higher aromatic content, a propensity for sediment formation, and a higher instability compared to straight-run HSFO. Due to its properties, Cracked HSFO typically has a lower commercial value than other fuel oil types, especially in an environment with tightening sulfur regulations. Its fate is largely dictated by economic factors and environmental constraints.

The significance of Cracked HSFO lies in the challenge it presents to refiners. They must find ways to either minimize its production, upgrade it to more valuable products, or dispose of it in an environmentally responsible and economically viable manner.