stookolie

Stookolie, or heating oil, is a petroleum-derived liquid fuel used for space heating and domestic hot water in oil-fired boilers and furnaces. It is a distillate fraction produced during crude oil refining and is formulated to burn efficiently and cleanly in residential and commercial heating systems. In Dutch-speaking regions the term stookolie is common; in other contexts the product is called verwarmingolie or heating oil.

Production and grades: Heating oil is refined into several grades. Standard heating oil is a mid-range distillate, while low-sulfur and ultra-low-sulfur variants meet emission regulations. Additives may be used to improve stability, corrosion protection, and burner performance. Specifications vary by country and market.

Properties and usage: It is a pale to amber liquid with moderate viscosity, stored in tanks and delivered to buildings by road or rail. The fuel is pumped into a storage tank and then fed to the burner. Energy content is about 42–43 MJ/kg, with a flash point safely above typical ambient temperatures.

Environmental and safety considerations: Combustion emits carbon dioxide, sulfur oxides if sulfur content is high, nitrogen oxides, and particulates. Regulations increasingly favor lower sulfur content and cleaner alternatives, such as natural gas, electricity, or biofuels. Storage and handling require precautions to prevent spills and fire hazards.

See also: heating oil, diesel, fuel oil, boiler.