Clean Marine Fuel: Integration of Co-pyrolysis Oil with High-Sulfur Fuel Oil

The study investigated the production of pyrolysis oil by co-pyrolyzing palm fronds and waste-expanded polystyrene and then blending it with high-sulfur fuel oil (HSFO). This was considered one of the strategies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG-7) target of reducing emissions and HSFO consumption. The pyrolysis oil produced at 400 °C did not contain benzene, which is already restricted in fuel. The primary chemical compound in the pyrolysis oil was styrene, along with several other aromatic compounds, including ethylbenzene, toluene, α-methylstyrene, and various other aromatic hydrocarbons and oxygenates. The high hydrocarbon content in pyrolysis oil resulted in a high calorific value of 41.99 MJ/kg, low water content, and promoted the mixing of pyrolysis oil with HSFO. Additionally, pyrolysis oil had a very low sulfur content. The properties of the blended fuels showed that blending 5-10% of pyrolysis oil with HSFO resulted in a fuel that met marine fuel standards and provided several benefits, including reduced viscosity and lower sulfur content. Moreover, due to its lower viscosity, the blended fuel may require less energy to preheat before entering the engine, thus effectively improving fuel efficiency.