Compound changes in re-refined used lubricating oils using fabricated Packed-bed reactor

F M Adebiyi,A Koya,V Valerio,A Santoro,A F Adeyemi,S Mastrolitti

doi:10.17628/ecb.2017.6.445-455

Abstract

This study aimed at developing a laboratory scale packed bed reactor (PBR) and evaluating its performance in the re-refining of used lubricating oils, which will be of benefits from socio-economic and environmental points of view. Used and unused motor oil samples of two brands (Mobil Super SAE 20W-50 and Total Quartz 5000 SAE 20W-50) were used in this study. The sorbent materials were a blend of bentonite, limestone, diatomite, quartz and wood charcoal in the same mass ratio. The compound types of the oils eluted from the PBR and those of used and virgin oil samples were studied for comparison. Fourier-transformed Infrared Spectroscopy was employed to observe the variations in the types and nature of functional groups present in the various oils as well as to estimate the oxidation products of the oils using peak area increase (PAI). The constituent organic compounds were also identified and quantified using Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometer. The results revealed that some of the compounds exist in different isomers in the oil samples. The similarity in the classes of compounds is affirmed by their very similar Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectra. Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry results indicated that the used oils contained the highest number of compounds, followed by the treated oils and also indicated similar treatment effects on the brands of lubricating oil. The study concluded that the developed reactor is a viable and sustainable technique for re-refining of used lubricating oils.

Highlights

Motor oil used in automobile engines picks up a number of debris from engine wear
The study showed that the sorbent materials have good uptake for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, soot and other impurities in used lubricating oil
The application of the packed bed reactor using the locally produced materials used in this study is recommended for small-scale pre-treatment of used lubricating oil before its subsequent uses

Summary

Introduction

Motor oil used in automobile engines picks up a number of debris from engine wear. These include metals, sulphur, water, dirt, combustion products, such as ash, and carbon residue. Due to the presence of degraded additives and the aforementioned contaminants, used motor oil disposal can be more environmentally degrading than crude oil pollution. If discharged onto the land, water or even burnt as a low grade fuel, it may cause serious environmental pollution because harmful metals and other persistent organic and inorganic pollutants are released into the environment. 1 These additives and contaminants may cause both short and long-term adverse effects. Since motor oil does not degrade, used motor oil as the potential to be recycled safely and productively, saving energy and circumventing environmental pollution. Since motor oil does not degrade, used motor oil as the potential to be recycled safely and productively, saving energy and circumventing environmental pollution. 2,3,4

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Results

Conclusion