With reference to furnace oil, consider the following statements: 1. It is a product of oil refineries. 2. Some industries use it to generate power. 3. Its use causes sulphur emissions into environment. Which of the statements given above are correct?

Answer: D. All three statements about furnace oil are correct. FURNACE OIL (also called Fuel Oil or Bunker Fuel) is a HEAVY, VISCOUS, RESIDUAL PRODUCT obtained at the end of crude oil refining after distillates like petrol, kerosene, and diesel have been extracted. Statement 1 is CORRECT. Furnace oil IS A PRODUCT OF OIL REFINERIES. It is the heavy residue from the atmospheric/vacuum distillation columns and is sold as a commercial fuel oil for industrial use. (Bunker C oil for ships and IFO 380 for marine engines are similar grades.) Statement 2 is CORRECT. Many INDUSTRIES USE FURNACE OIL TO GENERATE POWER and process heat. Common uses include: - Industrial boilers in textile, paper, and chemical plants. - Captive power generation in factories. - Cement kilns, glass furnaces, brick kilns. - Marine engines (bunker fuel). Statement 3 is CORRECT. Furnace oil HAS HIGH SULPHUR CONTENT (typically 3-4% in non-desulphurised grades), and ITS COMBUSTION RELEASES SULPHUR DIOXIDE (SO2) into the environment. This is a major reason regulators have tightened controls and pushed industries toward cleaner fuels like natural gas. The International Maritime Organisation (IMO 2020) capped marine fuel sulphur at 0.5% globally. CPCB has progressively restricted high-sulphur furnace oil in Indian urban areas. Source: Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas / CPCB / IMO MARPOL Annex VI.