What is the relation between sulphur emissions and electric generators that run on diesel?

Question

What is the relation between sulphur emissions and electric generators that run on diesel?

Answer 1

Bunker oil used in electricity generation (or in barges, tankers, home oil burning heaters, and so on) is not the low sulphur diesel used for typical highway transportation (which is 15 PPM).  It is usually a >=500 PPM (parts per milion) product.

Although sulphur is removed from petroleum in processing, oil can stil have significant sulphur levels and emissions when burned.  

Burning coal results in sulphur emissions but there is technology for coal plants to capture substantial portions of sulphur if they use scrubbers.    I would be surprised if similar technology does not exist for oil fired plants.

Answer 2

The relation is very simple:

It is simply the sulphur content of your fuel...

The sulfur that enters the generator depends on the sulfur content of the fuel. What enters is combusted and leaves the motor through the stack as SOx.

Since desulfurization material is difficult to install on every little generator, the removal of the sulfur is done at the refinery which delivers a low sulfur fuel.

Answer 3

It depends on the sulfur content of the fuel.