Question 175Steam Plants - 1st Asst/Chief

The correct answer is B) Hydrocarbons. The specific heat of a fuel oil is primarily determined by its hydrocarbon composition. Hydrocarbons, which are the main constituents of fuel oils, have a significant impact on the fuel's specific heat capacity. The specific heat of a substance is a measure of the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of that substance by one degree. Different hydrocarbon compounds have varying specific heat values, which are influenced by factors such as the length and structure of the hydrocarbon chains. The other options, A) Sulfur, C) Oxygen, and D) Nitrogen, are not the primary determinants of the specific heat of fuel oil. While these elements may be present in smaller quantities in some fuel oils, they do not play a dominant role in determining the specific heat of the fuel.