Castle's fuel oil network spans the globe, as the company works around the clock to ensure that high quality product is delivered on time to our terminals, and to our customers, at the right price. The company has developed successful long-term relationships with domestic and international oil producers, traders, processors, shippers, and financial institutions.
Since oil availability and price can fluctuate greatly, in house purchasing of fuel oil is a critical skill and key factor in our success. Castle's Supply and Marketing division has a team of professionals that monitor the world's oil trading markets and buy product at competitive prices.
Castle's two strategically located marine terminals have over 40 million gallons of storage capacity with barge and ocean going tanker off loading capabilities. Castle plays a leading role in environmental protection by contracting only with shippers who meet the most rigorous maintenance requirements. Safety training programs based on OSHA standards are conducted regularly to avoid any contamination of our harbors.
The company owns and maintains a fleet of over 100 delivery and service vehicles. We've assembled the largest fuel oil account management and customer care department in the New York metropolitan area to serve our customers' energy needs around the clock.
There are many types of burners, boilers and other combustion equipment currently in use in the energy industry. Therefore, there are also many types and grades of fuel oils available for use in this equipment. Environmental laws in different parts of the country also impact the quality specifications of the particular fuels that may be used. Specifications relate primarily to emissions and toxicity; i.e. things such as sulfur content and nitrogen content.
The American Society for Testing and Materials, better known as ASTM, classifies fuel oils into five basic grades: Numbers 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6.
Number 1 and Number 2 are "distillate fuels" because they are capable of being distilled or vaporized at relatively low temperatures. They are very fluid, flowing like water at room temperature.
Number 1 Oil is more commonly referred to as Kerosene. Kerosene is rarely used to heat homes and buildings, but may be added to other distillate fuels during the colder months to prevent gelling.
Number 2 oil, also known as #2 Heating Oil, is the most commonly used space heating oil for private homes.
Number 4 oil is a hybrid fuel because it consists of a blend of Number 2 oil and Number 6 oil in certain proportions required to meet the specifications of equipment that is designed to burn Number 4 oil. This type of fuel is most frequently used in heating equipment found in schools and small multiple floor buildings. Number 4 Fuel oil has a higher BTU, or energy generation, content than Number 2 oil. Although it is less fluid at room temperature than #2 heating oil, it does not require a heated storage system or a preheater to assure proper combustion.
Number 5 oil is similar to Number 4 oil and is also a hybrid fuel. It has a higher BTU content than Number 4 oil and does not require heated storage, but does require a preheater in order to obtain optimum atomization for combustion. Castle does not carry this product as its use in our geographic area is limited to large, ocean-going marine vessels.
Number 6 oil is the heaviest oil in our product line. It has the highest BTU content of all of our products and has its greatest demand in large office, residential and industrial buildings. Number 6 oil is a black, thick, semi-fluid material. It will not pour out at room temperature. Number 6 oil requires heated storage and preheating in order to assure proper combustion. It is the residual product of the refining process after all the "light" products such as gasoline, diesel oil and lubricants have been extracted. The industry also refers to Number 6 oil as "residual" fuel oil. In its most unrefined state, this product is commonly used as asphalt in road paving.
