1st Edition

Refining Used Lubricating Oils

By James Speight, Douglas I. Exall Copyright 2014
    466 Pages 47 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    466 Pages 47 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    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.