Recycling used oil is an indispensable part of environmental protection and conservation of resources. It saves from pollution, conserves precious resources, and saves energy. Following steps may be taken to recycle used oil:
1. Collection
Used oil, from car engines, industrial machines, or heating of homes, needs to be properly collected to avoid polluting the land. This includes keeping the oil in clean containers and taking it to a recycling center.
2. Filtering and Cleaning
After collection, the oil is cleaned to remove impurities such as dirt, water, and metal particles. This is usually done through filtration methods and centrifugation (spinning the oil at high speed to separate contaminants).
If the oil is badly contaminated, it may undergo further purification by complexly distilled processes.
3. Re-refining
After filtration, the used oil is re-refined so it reaches its original properties. The processes involved are:
Vacuum distillation- removing lighter fractions and contaminants.
Hydrofinishing- adding hydrogen which breaks down molecules and enhances the oil quality.
Additive re-blending- mixing re-refined oil with new additives to restore performance characteristics.
4. Reapplication of Recycled Oil
The re-refined oil can be reused in many applications, for example:
Lubricants: Used in engines, machinery, and industrial equipment.
Base stock: Manufacturing of new oils, greases, and other lubricants.
Fuel: In some cases, used oil can be processed into fuel usable in industrial burners or power plants.
5. Disposal of Residues
Some residues from the oil filtration or re-refining processes may turn out to be unusable and have to be properly disposed of, generally as hazardous waste. This step ensures that the hazardous wastes do not enter into our environment.
6. Environmental and Economic Benefits
Environmental Benefits: Recycling used oil spares the contamination of soil and water. For instance, just one gallon of used oil is enough to contaminate one million gallons of water if not disposed of properly.
Economic Benefits: Recycling used oil saves manufacturers money on raw materials and energy consumption. It also reduces the demand for petroleum, which is non-renewable.
Recycling used oil helps preserve valuable resources, prevent environmental pollution, and save energy. Hence, for the sake of their contribution toward a cleaner and fully sustainable future, it is important for the individual consumer and the industry to understand the importance of recycling used oil in the right way.
