Dataset on the recycling of used engine oil through solvent extraction

Abstract

Abstract Lubricating oils are made from base oil mixed with other chemicals (additives) to improve its properties. Engine oil is used to lubricate moving engine parts, reduce friction, protect against wear, and remove contaminants. Moreover, it can acts as a cleaning, anticorrosive and cooling agent. This study aimed to refine used engine oil by using single and composite solvents. Isopropyl alcohol was used as a single solvent, while the composite solvent was made up of ethanol, isopropyl alcohol and toluene. Extractions were carried out with different parameters such as temperature (40 and 60°C) and solvent-to-oil ratio (1:1 and 2:1). Thereafter, different properties including viscosity, calcium and zinc content, and total base number for determining the degree of treatment of the regenerated oil and waste oil were analysed. The regenerated oil was compared with virgin base oil (SN 500) via Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to determine their correlations. Based on the experimental results, the calcium and alkalinity contamination from the detergent additive and zinc from the anti-wear additive decreased using both the single and composite solvents. The results from the viscosity, viscosity index, and FTIR analyses showed different degrees of improvement compared to the virgin base oil (SN 500). Then, the best results were observed with isopropyl alcohol as a single solvent and an extraction temperature of 40°C. The regenerated oil could be improved through further metal removal processing using a metal adsorption agent such as zeolite. Thus, further investigations may be warranted in the future to compare the present studied parameters.