Used lubricating oil is a valuable resource. However, it must be re-refined mainly due to the accumulation of physical and chemical contaminants in the oil during service. Refining Used Lubricating Oils describes the properties of used lubricating oils and presents ways these materials can be re-refined and converted into useful lubricants as well as other products. It provides an up-to-date review of most of the processes for used lubricating oil refining that have been proposed or implemented in different parts of the world, and addresses feasibility and criteria for selecting a particular process.
The book begins with an overview of lubricating oil manufacturing, both petroleum-based and synthetic-based. It reviews the types and properties of lubricating oils and discusses the characteristics and potential of used lubricating oils. The authors describe the basic steps of used oil treatment including dehydration, distillation or solvent extraction, and finishing. They explore the combustion of used oil for use as fuel, covering chemistry and equipment, fuel oil properties, and combustion emissions.
The book considers alternative processing options such as refinery processing and re-refining. It also reviews the major refining processes that have been suggested over the years for used oil. These include acid/clay, simple distillation, combinations of distillation and hydrogenation, solvent extraction, filtration, and coking processes. The book addresses economic, life cycle assessment, and other criteria for evaluating the attractiveness of an oil recycling project, examining various costs and presenting an economic evaluation method using an Excel spreadsheet that can be downloaded from the publisher’s website. The book concludes with a chapter offering insights on how to choose the most suitable process technology.
Manufacture of Lubricating Oil
Introduction
Base Oil Manufacture from Petroleum Sources
Blending
Composition and Properties
Uses
Synthetic Lubricating Oil
Base Oil Properties
Additives
Performance
References
Types and Properties of Lubricating Oil
Types of Lubricating Oils
Solid Lubricants and Greases
Use and Applications
Properties of Lubricating Oils
Use of Test Data
References
Used Lubricating Oils
Introduction
Cause of Oil Degradation
Amount of Used Oils
Collection
Recycling and Re-Refining Capacities
Environmental Aspects of Used Oil Management
Converting Used Oil into Useable Oil
References
Composition and Treatment
Introduction
Primary Treatment
Separation
Finishing
Test Methods
Environmental Aspects
References
Combustion of Used Engine Oil
Introduction
Direct Combustion: Use as a Fuel
Combustion Chemistry and Equipment
Fuel Oil Properties
Environmental Risks
Postcombustion Capture
Used Oil Combustion
Combustion with Heavy Fuel Oil
Combustion in Cement Kilns
Combustion in Hot-Mix Asphalt Plants
References
Alternative Processing Options
Introduction
Refinery Processing
Cogeneration
Regeneration Residues
Environmental Management
References
Refining Processes for Used Oil recycling to Base Oils or Fuels
Introduction
The Acid/Clay Process
Simple Distillation and Predistillation Processes
Distillation/Clay Processes
Distillation/Hydrogenation Processes
Distillation/Solvent Extraction Processes
Hydrogenation/Distillation Processes
Distillation/Filtration/Hydrogenation Processes
Processes Producing Primarily a Fuel Product and Possibly a Base Oil Product
Other Processes
References
Economics and Other Evaluation Criteria
Introduction
Recycled Oil Collection Costs
Capital Costs of the Plant
Operating Cost Considerations for the Plant
Economic Indicators
Excel Spreadsheet for a Recycling Plant
Economic Evaluation of a Small and Large Project
Discussion of Some Results of the Economic Evaluation
Comparison of Re-Refining with Production from Crude Oil
References
Choice of a Process Technology
Introduction
Relevant Reports
Future Developments
References
Glossary
Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C
Index
Biography
James G. Speight earned a BSc and a PhD in chemistry from the University of Manchester, England. Since 1998, he has been employed at CD&W Inc. as a consultant/author/lecturer on energy and environmental issues. Dr. Speight has more than 40 years of experience in areas associated with the properties and recovery of reservoir fluids. His work has also focused on the environmental effects and remediation technologies related to fossil fuel and synthetic fuel processing. Dr. Speight is the author of more than 400 publications, reports, and presentations and has taught more than 70 courses. He is the author and coauthor of more than 50 books and bibliographies related to fossil fuels, synthetic fuels, biofuels, fuel processing, and environmental issues. He is also the recipient of several awards.
Douglas I. Exall, P.Eng., is an engineering consultant in oil and gas production and processing technologies. He received his PhD in chemical engineering from the University of Natal in South Africa. He has published journal articles, industrial R&D reports, conference papers, and patents, and has experience teaching in most areas of chemical engineering. Dr. Exall has worked as a research manager in the oil and gas industry and research organizations in Canada, and as a professor or adjunct professor at universities in several countries. His consulting work has included reviewing options for the re-refining of lubricating oils, the available processes and technologies, and their economic viability.