8-DEC-2021

RESEARCH REPORT
ON RE-REFINING OF
USED MOTOR OIL
SUBMITED TO MA’AM FARAHINAMULLH
BY MUHAMMAD BILAL SHEIKH (H-1701049)
 INTRODUCTION

Lubricants are one of the product that is obtained after the fractional
distillation of petroleum, and composed of a mixture of hydrocarbons
(Abdulkareem et al. 2014). Base oil is the back bone of lube oil which can also be
synthesized in laboratory (Mohammed, Ibrahim, Taha, McKay, et al. 2013). The
quality of lubricant oil depend upon the viscosity of oil at low and high
temperature. To enhance the quality or grade or to meet the specific property of
lube oil different types of additives such as antioxidant, detergent and dispersant,
pouring point depressor(PPDS), viscosity index improvers(VIIS), corrosion
inhibitors etc are added according to the nature of base oil.(ghosh 2013). On
average, the amount of additives added to lube oil vary from (0.5% to 28%) by
volume (Santos et al. 2019).
Lube oil reduces the heat produce due to friction in the internal
engine(Mohammed, Ibrahim, Taha, and McKay 2013). It provide a layer between
surfaces which reduce friction and wearing of metal, improve engine efficiency
(Abdulkareem et al. 2014). During its usage, oil deteriorates and gradually
decrease the quality of lube oil and after some time oil lose its effectiveness and
need to change (Chaudhari et al. 2015). The main reason behind the
contaminations of lube oil is its working environment from where it picks up
impurities such as, wear out additives, metal from corrosion and wear processes,
residue of fuel engine, dirt, soot and combustion product etc (Mohammed, Ibrahim,
Taha, and McKay 2013). Degree and the type of contamination in used lubricating
oil depend upon its usage. Generally, it contain oxygenated compounds (organic
acids and ketones), poly-nuclear aromatic compounds of high
viscosity(carcinogenic), poly-aromatic hydrocarbon such as benzopyrene,
phenanthrene and fluorine, resins, laquers, wear metals, water, fuel(gasoline and
diesels) and dust etc. (Osman, Attia, and Taman 2018),(Santos et al. 2019),(M. A.
Kamal, Naqvi, and Khan 2013).
Each passing year the number of vehicles and machine are increasing which
demand more virgin lube oil. Also the disposal of used oil has an adverse effect on
the environment as it cause the soil, water and air pollution (Al-Zahrani and Putra
2013). When waste oils are discharged into the soil, they contaminate the soil they
travel through, and when they reach deep groundwater, they also poison the water
from fountains and wells. They contaminate water-receiving facilities and cause
severe damage to wastewater treatment plants when released into wastewater
drainage systems (Santos et al. 2019). Many individuals utilize spent oil as a dust
cure, or dust preventive, when disposing of it. This form of disposal is problematic
in many respects since lead-bearing dust and run-off pollute the air and water.
Incineration is another way for disposing of old oil. This practice constitutes yet
another waste of a valuable commodity (Madanhire and Mbohwa 2016), and also
incineration of it without de-metalation will produces considerable amount of
metal oxide gases along with other toxic gases such as, SO3 and dioxins, since it
contain high amount of metal such as, lead, zinc, copper, chromium, nickel, and
cadmium etc (Santos et al. 2019).
During its usage the lubricant does not consumed completely only the
additives are wear out or depleted and oil lose it efficiency (Al-Zahrani and Putra
2013). Also the amount of energy consume to produce base oil from crude oil is
three times of the amount of energy required to produce re-fined oil from used oil
(Diphare et al. 2013). Also 0.61 gallon lube oil can be reproduce by treating 1
gallon of ULO whereas it take 42 gallons of crude oil to produce 0.5 gallon of lube
oil(Ani et al. 2015). By considering this fact, recycling may be the most viable
option not just technologically, but also economically and environmentally (Santos
et al. 2019)
Different refining method such as solvent extraction ((Osman, Attia, and
Taman 2018),(Al-Zahrani and Putra 2013), (Onukwuli et al. 1999), vacuum
distillation (Kim, Hwang, and Kim 1997), (Saleem and Karim 2020)), electro-
coagulation and coagulation-flocculation (Favero et al. 2020), solvent extraction
and adsorption (Mohammed, Ibrahim, Taha, and McKay 2013), ultrafiltration
membrane (Widodo et al. 2020), supercritical fluid extraction (Liu et al. 2005) has
been reported for recycling of base oil.
Our aim of study was to check the change in physiochemical properties of
(ULO) when it passes through absorbent (CaCO3) by the help of eluting solution
(Hexane). But due to some constraint like Covid-19 and lack of proper equipment,
we switch the course of research from bench work to theoretical.
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
1.PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF OIL:
1.1 SPECIFIC GRAVITY:Specific gravity is defined as the ratio of the mass
density of a substance to the density of the equal volume of water. Depending on
the degree of contamination, the specific gravity of contaminated oil may be lower
or greater than that of virgin/fresh lubrication oil. The specific gravity of used
lubricating oil will be reduced if it was polluted as a result of fuel dilution. Its
specific gravity will be higher than that of its fresh lube oil or refined lube oil if the
contamination is due to water arising from fuel combustion in the engine and
unintentional contamination by rain (Mohammed, Ibrahim, Taha, and McKay
2013). With increased sludge forming capability of the solvent, specific gravity of
spent oil decreases.(A. Kamal and Khan 2009)
Papers Solvent Used Oil Re-fined Oil Fresh Oil

(Khudhur and MEK - - -

Mohammed
2020)
(Daham et al. 1-butanol+MEA - - -
2017)
(Araromi, 1-butanol 0.907 0.69 0.900
Aremu, and
Gbolahan 2016)
(Santos et al. MEK - - -
2019)
(Ani et al. 2015) Composite solvent 0.902 0.895 -
(Abro et al. Composite solvent 0.9 0.88 0.93
2013)
(Mohammed, 1-butanol - - -
Ibrahim, Taha,
and McKay
2013)
(Hussein and H.N+n-butanol 0.8934 0.8802 0.8854
Abdulkarim
2017)
(A. Kamal and MEK 0.887 0.885 -
Khan 2009)
(Manyuchi et al. MEK 0.91 0.90 0.92
2018)
1.2 VISCOSITY:
Viscosity is the measurement of the resistance offered by fluid to flow. The
fundamental task of lube oil is to decrease the friction between two interacting
surface which subsequently reduce wear of the surface. Low viscosity of oil will
not work efficiently in protecting the surface while high viscosity of lube demand
more energy to perform the task (Abdulkareem et al. 2014). Dissolved and
suspended product of oxidation and polymerization increase the viscosity of spent
oil, while the fuel contamination in the oil cause decrease in viscosity (Abro et al.
2013). The solvent causes the non-metallic polymeric material (viscosity improver)
in the old lubricating oil to precipitate out, which improves viscosity (Mohammed,
Ibrahim, Taha, and McKay 2013) and (A. Kamal and Khan 2009).
Papers Solvent Used Oil Re-fined Oil Fresh Oil
(Cst) (Cst) (Cst)

At 40 At 100 At 40 At At 40 At
100 100
(Khudhur and MEK 71.8 8.6 57.2 7.6 61.50 8
Mohammed
2020)
(Daham et al. 1- 100.20 14.28 8.85 64.68 97.90 100.2
2017) butanol+MEA 0
(Araromi, 1-butanol 90-100 10.5-12 125 13.4 98.7 11.2
Aremu, and
Gbolahan
2016)
(Santos et al. MEK 115.2 - 105.5 - 67.8 -
2019)
(Ani et al. Composite 146.65 16.96 80.08 8.75 - -
2015) solvent
(Manyuchi et MEK 110.3 90.3 80.2
al. 2018)
(Mohammed, 1-butanol 38.3 6.1 72 10.3 131 14
Ibrahim,
Taha, and
McKay 2013)
(Hussein and H.N+n-butanol 117.02 15.134 44.89 7.197 113.6 14.99
Abdulkarim 4
2017)
(A. Kamal MEK 104.75 13.94 71.5 9.59 - -
 and Khan
2009)
(Abro et al. Composite 120 - 94 - 90 -
2013) solvent

1.3 VISCOSITY INDEX:

It is a number that represent the variation in viscosity with respect to change
in temperature. High viscosity index means the change in viscosity with respect to
temperature is smaller, which indicates that oil is thermally stable and will provide
better protection(Kannan et al. 2014). Viscosity index of High class oil fall
between (80-100) while viscosity index of medium class oil fall between (35-80)
(Ani et al. 2015). The solvents precipitate out the non-metallic polymeric VI
improvers, resulting in a lower viscosity index (VI) value (A. Kamal and Khan
2009) and (Mohammed, Ibrahim, Taha, and McKay 2013)..
Papers Solvent Used Oil Re-fined Oil Fresh Oil

(Khudhur and MEK 89 94 95

Mohammed
2020)
(Daham et al. 1-butanol+MEA 129.60 100.4 126.43
2017)
(Araromi, 1-butanol 102 95 97
Aremu, and
Gbolahan 2016)
(Santos et al. MEK - - -
2019)
(Ani et al. Composite solvent - 75 -
2015)
(Abro et al. Composite solvent - - -
2013)
(Mohammed, 1-butanol - - -
Ibrahim, Taha,
and McKay
2013)
(Hussein and H.N+n-butanol 134.4 121.2 136.9
Abdulkarim
2017)
 (A. Kamal and MEK 128 119 -
Khan 2009)
(Manyuchi et MEK - - -
al. 2018)

1.4 POUR POINT:

Cloud point refers to the temperature at which some hydrocarbons (Paraffin)
begin to crystallize. The oil samples ceased flowing as they were cool further, and
the temperature at which they stopped flowing was determined to be the oil's pour
point. (Abro et al. 2013). The pour point of lube oil varies greatly depending on the
base, the lube oil supply, and the refining procedure, especially if dewaxing has
been done. The drop in pour point is due to additive degradation that was present
in new oil as a pour point depressant. ( (Mohammed, Ibrahim, Taha, and McKay
2013) and (Abro et al. 2013) and (Manyuchi et al. 2018)).

Papers Solvent Used Oil Re-fined Oil Fresh Oil (C)

(C) (C)
(Khudhur and MEK -24 -19 -15
Mohammed
2020)
(Daham et al. 1-butanol+MEA -27.25 -19.26 -27.6
2017)
(Araromi, 1-butanol -9 -13 -12
Aremu, and
Gbolahan 2016)
(Santos et al. MEK - - -
2019)
(Ani et al. 2015) Composite solvent -15 -14 -
(Abro et al. Composite solvent -30 -15 -8
2013)
(Mohammed, 1-butanol -6 -11 -14
Ibrahim, Taha,
and McKay
2013)
(Hussein and H.N+n-butanol - - -
Abdulkarim
 2017)
(A. Kamal and MEK - - -
Khan 2009)
(Manyuchi et al. MEK -28 -12.3 -10.3
2018)

1.5 FLASH POINT:

The flash point of an oil is the lowest temperature at which it emits enough
vapours to make an explosive combination with air (Abdulkareem et al. 2014). The
difference between the flash point of fresh and used oil is due to the presence of a
lighter fraction of hydrocarbons produced during the oxidation process that occurs
during lubricant usage. The higher flash point means the extracted oil is devoid of
fuel and solvent. The higher flash point means the extracted oil is devoid of fuel
and solvent ((Mohammed, Ibrahim, Taha, and McKay 2013),(A. Kamal and Khan
2009),(Abro et al. 2013),(Manyuchi et al. 2018)).
Papers Solvent Used Oil Re-fined Oil Fresh Oil (C)
(C) (C)
(Khudhur and MEK 230 215 218
Mohammed
2020)
(Daham et al. 1-butanol+MEA 224.3 220.47 227.5
2017)
(Araromi, 1-butanol 140 210 240
Aremu, and
Gbolahan
2016)
(Santos et al. MEK - - -
2019)
(Ani et al. Composite solvent - - -
2015)
(Abro et al. Composite solvent 120 150 200
2013)
(Mohammed, 1-butanol 178 220 242.5
Ibrahim, Taha,
and McKay
2013)
(Hussein and H.N+n-butanol - - -
 Abdulkarim
2017)
(A. Kamal and MEK 190 220 -
5Khan 2009)
(Manyuchi et MEK 100 160 180
al. 2018)

1.6 TOTAL BASE NUMBER:

The amount of hydrochloric acid needed to neutralize the base present in one
gram of oil. A decrease in the base number(TBN) is an indication that basic
character constituents (amino compounds, salts of weak carboxylic acids, basic
salts of poly-acidic bases, and salts of heavy metals) has been precipitated out by
the solvent ((A. Kamal and Khan 2009) and (Mohammed, Ibrahim, Taha, and
McKay 2013), (Daham et al. 2017)).
Papers Solvent Used Oil Re-fined Oil Fresh Oil
(mg HCL/g (mg HCL/g (mg HCL/g
oil) oil) oil)
(Khudhur and MEK - - -
Mohammed
2020)
(Daham et al. 1-butanol+MEA 2.72 0.65 11.45
2017)
(Araromi, 1-butanol - - -
Aremu, and
Gbolahan 2016)
(Santos et al. MEK - - -
2019)
(Ani et al. 2015) Composite solvent - - -
(Abro et al. Composite solvent - - -
2013)
(Mohammed, 1-butanol 4.7 3.4 3.1
Ibrahim, Taha,
and McKay
2013)
(Hussein and H.N+n-butanol - - -
Abdulkarim
2017)
 (A. Kamal and MEK 4.64 Nil -
Khan 2009)
(Manyuchi et al. MEK - - -
2018)

1.7 TOTAL ACID NUMBER:

The amount of potassium hydroxide needed to neutralize the acid present in
one gram of oil. The total acid number has also decreased dramatically, showing
that organic and inorganic acids, esters, phenolic compounds, lactones, resins, and
other chemicals generated during the oxidation process, have been separated (A.
Kamal and Khan 2009),(Khudhur and Mohammed 2020), (Mohammed, Ibrahim,
Taha, and McKay 2013).
Papers Solvent Used Oil Re-fined Oil Fresh Oil
(mg KOH/g (mg KOH/g (mg KOH/g
oil) oil) oil)
(Khudhur and MEK 0.12 0.011 0.115
Mohammed
2020)
(Daham et al. 1-butanol+MEA 3.14 0.11 0.12
2017)
(Araromi, 1-butanol - - -
Aremu, and
Gbolahan
2016)
(Santos et al. MEK 0.540 0.033 0.020
2019)
(Ani et al. Composite solvent - - -
2015)
(Abro et al. Composite solvent - - -
2013)
(Mohammed, 1-butanol 5.8 3.7 2.4
Ibrahim, Taha,
and McKay
2013)
(Hussein and H.N+n-butanol 3.5839 2.8542 2.903
Abdulkarim
2017)
 (A. Kamal and MEK 2.07 1.2 -
Khan 2009)
(Manyuchi et MEK - - -
al. 2018)

CONCLUSION
Re-refining of used oil depend upon the sludge formation capabilities and
dissolving the base oil of solvent. Higher the percentage sludge removal mean
better quality of re-refined oil. 1-butanol has the highest efficiency for sludge
removal capability followed by MEK ((A. Kamal and Khan 2009)). Addition of
flocculant agent like NaOH, KOH, MEA (mono-ethylamine) increase the ability of
solvent to removes sludge in the process of extraction (daham2017,(Mohammed,
Ibrahim, Taha, and McKay 2013)). Amount of sludge removal increase by
increasing solvent to oil ratio, optimum ratio of solvent to oil that has been
reported are 3:1 ((A. Kamal and Khan 2009) ,(Mohammed, Ibrahim, Taha, and
McKay 2013) 5:1(Araromi, Aremu, and Gbolahan 2016) for 1-butanol and 6:1
((Manyuchi et al. 2018)) for MEK.
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