1. Faculty of Engineering University of Jaffna
CONVERSION OF USED ENGINE OIL INTO LUBRICATING GREASE
By S.SANGAR
Faculty of Engineering
University of Jaffna

2. Content of the presentation
Problem Definition
Project Objectives
Literature review
Proposed methodology & quality checks
Marketing analysis
Conclusions

3. 1. Problem Definition
Automotive and other industrial source generate large quantity of used oil.
Normally it burnt or used for some applications directly and causes environmental pollution.
Thus extracted my attention as one of the undergraduate project.
Further waste of energy, where energy value in the oil sludge, is also attracted.
Literature review gave confident on the possibility of changing oil sludge into grease

4. 2. Project Objectives
To keep environment free from hazards caused due to mismanagement of the oil sludge (Protects Public Health and the Environment)
To re-use the energy value of oil sludge, which is generally called as converting waste to energy or waste to business (Saves Valuable Energy)
To introduce a method to produce, at small enterprise level, with good quality and low price grease (Reduces Our Dependency on Imported Oil)
To contribute to the economical growth of the region thus the country, which is the mission of the University of Jaffna.

5. 3. Literature Review
Lubricating oil are viscous liquids used for lubricating moving parts of engines and machines. Eg. Engine oils, gear oils, hydraulic oils, turbine oils, grease etc.
FUNCTIONS:
Reduces friction between moving surfaces.
Removes heat from working parts in Machinery.
Removes wear debris created by moving surfaces.
Provides a protective layering on metal surfaces to avoid corrosion.
Removing contaminants from the engine.

6. 3. Literature Review cont…
Used oil: “oil from industrial and non-industrial sources which has been used for lubricating or other purposes and has become unsuitable for its original purpose due to the presence of contaminants or impurities or the loss of original properties (e.g. lubricating oils, hydraulic fluids, metal working fluids, electrical (dielectric) or heat transfer fluid, insulating fluid).” (Bessel convention)
Source:

7. 3. Literature Review cont.
>>Various types of facilities, such as automotive, industry, aviation, marine and so on, generate different types of waste oils.
>> contaminants in used oil are water, fuel, carbon, dust, metal and additives. >>Only 0.5 gallons of base oil can be derived from q barrel of crude oil. However one barrel of used oil recovers up to 34 gallons of base oil, and extends the life of a non-renewable natural resource.
Source:

8. SCHEMATIC OF THE OIL RE-REFINING
Literature Review cont…
SCHEMATIC OF THE OIL RE-REFINING
Source:

9. 3. Oil Testing
Water content: this test is important in order to determine the water percentage in the oil sludge, which change the properties of lubricating oil and adversely affect on lubricity character.
Ash content: this test is important in order to determine the amount of metals in the oil.

10. Viscosity: This test is carried out using Viscometer apparatus.
Density: This test is done by weighing a predetermined volume sample and then the density was calculated as (w/v).
Viscosity: This test is carried out using Viscometer apparatus.
Properties
Pure oil
Used oil
Color & appearance
Clear& homogeneous
Black &heterogeneous
Specific gravity
0.882
0.910
Dynamic viscosity
312
324
Water, volume% 12
Flash point
234
264

11. 4. PROPOSED METHODOLOGY Used Oil Treatment
Vacuum distillation is a method of distillation whereby the pressure above the liquid mixture to be distilled is reduced to less than its vapor pressure causing evaporation of the most volatile liquid.
Liquid–liquid extraction also known as solvent extraction and partitioning, is a method to separate compounds based on their relative solubility in two different immiscible liquids,
Source:

12. 4. PROPOSED METHODOLOGY Used Oil Treatment
Water removal
By using settling method water is removed
In the settling process some sludge also removed
Vacuum distillation
The boiling point of the lubricating oils are above 350oC so reduce the BP this method is used.
Color improvement also will be done by solvent extraction method using MEK
Quality checking
The treated oil’s properties will be compared with base oil properties
If it is necessary to improve some properties then appropriate additives will be added

13. 4. PROPOSED METHODOLGY, Grease Manufacturing
A small quantity of oil sludge and fatty acid were mixed then thickening agent was mixed with that oil and heated to reach about 500 C
The above is done to start polymerization
Rest of the oil sludge mixed and after 15 minutes, mixture is heated to reach 120o C
The above was done to get a homogenous mixture with continuous mixing of the components
Grease is left for one day to be cooled. Then quality check will be done

14. Tests for checking the quality of the grease
4. Quality Checks
Tests for checking the quality of the grease
Moisture content tests
Density test
Viscosity
Consistency test
Ash content test

15. 5. Marketing Analysis & benefits
annual lubricant market report 2012 by Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka

16. 5. Marketing Analysis & benefits cont.…
Only 300/=
For Kg of grease
5. Marketing Analysis & benefits cont.…
Production cost estimation for a Kg of grease
Electric heater 1000 W for two hours to heat the oil to 300oC (2 units) *40=80
Vacuum pump1000 W for two hours to reduce the pressure to 50 mmHg (2 units) - 2*40=80
Necessary chemicals(NaOH, fatty acid, MEK and additives) others
300
Initial investment for a SMEI (Plant capacity 2500Kg/month)
Vacuum pump (need to bring 50 mmHg) ,000
Heating setup ,000
Containers and others ,000
Raw Materials & initial Production ,000

17. 5. Marketing Analysis & benefits
Existing
Present invention
Size
Size of a service station
Initial cost
Very High
Very Low cost about 3-5 lakhs
Emissions No
Marketing price for burning oil is linked to cheap price and re-refining compare with higher price fresh oil

18. 8. Conclusions
Since the used oil is pollutant in this re-refining method the pollution is reduced also energy conservation method
The used engine oil can be used as input to produce grease.
It is validated that the chemical treatment is possible and economically viable to decontaminate the oil sludge.
It has been found from literature review that from 1 liter of used oil, 750 ml of lube oil can be produced.
This has evidently proven that it is a commercially viable project

19. References
ASTM D (reapproved 2004) standard classification and pecification for automotive service greases. Laurence M. Harwood; Christopher J. Moody (13 June 1989). Experimental organic chemistry: Principles and Practice (Illustrated ed.). WileyBlackwell. pp. 147–149. ISBN