Abstract
This study aims to apply a two-stage solvent extraction and adsorption principles for base oil recovery from used lubricating oils (UBO). Methyl-ethyl ketone was utilized as the solvent for extraction and activated carbon (AC) from unripe plantain peels as the adsorbent. The activities of the solvent to oil proportions from 1:1 to 5:1 on lube oil recovery were analyzed in terms viscosity of the oil, total base number (TBN) of lubricating oil, and percent weight of metallic contents removal from used oil. The results confirm that solvent to oil ratio of 3:1 gave excellent efficiencies relating the UBO to a treated base oil (TBO) with the highest removal of contaminants, increased viscosity, high TBN after the two-stage treatments. The results after solvent extraction at varying temperatures of 30, 45, 60 °C showed the TBN increased to 32% (10.21 mgKOH/g from an initial UBO value of 6.90 mgKOH/g) at 60 °C extraction temperature. After the adsorption stage, the removal of metallic contaminants at the 60 °C extractive temperature and AC 15 wt% loading was 91% for calcium and over 91% for zinc. The optimum solvent to oil ratio of 3:1 at 60 °C yielded a base oil with a kinematic viscosity of 90.23 centiStokes, a flashpoint of 203 °C, the density of 0.909 g/ml and sulphur content of 0.64 wt%. This refined base oil obtained had close similarities with fresh Ram SN500 base oil.
Highlights
Lubricating oils are products obtained from the fractional distillation of petroleum between temperatures of 300 °C to 400 °C under atmospheric pressure
This study aims to apply a two-stage solvent extraction and adsorption principles for base oil recovery from used lubricating oils (UBO)
The activities of the solvent to oil proportions from 1:1 to 5:1 on lube oil recovery were analyzed in terms viscosity of the oil, total base number (TBN) of lubricating oil, and percent weight of metallic contents removal from used oil
Summary
Lubricating oils are products obtained from the fractional distillation of petroleum between temperatures of 300 °C to 400 °C under atmospheric pressure. Despite the effectiveness of the solvent extraction process, there exists a remaining section of the oxidization product present in the lube oil that can be treated by adsorption. Adsorption has been utilized in the removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which are found present in the lube oil even after solvent extraction has been carried out [1]. This study investigates the treatment of used lubricating oil through solvent extraction and adsorption processes to recover the base oil. It entails involving various parametric determinations such as solvent to oil ratio, adsorbent to oil ratio, mixing time on oil recovery, and oil loss. The results aim to provide a basis for developing an environmentally and economically competitive method for used lubricant oil treatment
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