What are the types of waste oil?

February 14, 2022

Any type of refined crude oil or synthetic oil that has been contaminated and can no longer perform its intended function is referred to as waste oil. Waste oil can be by-products of cooking oil, animal fat, yellow or brown grease, and sludge oil or soapstock that comes from the refining process of vegetable oil. The waste oil derived from households and industrial waste cooking oil are the most prominent sources of all.

Any oil that has been mixed with a known harmful contaminant is also considered waste oil. This oil could have come from a machine where a lubricant and a chemical that is known to be harmful, such as cyanide, could interact.

New oils with halogen contents greater than 1,000 parts per million (ppm) are also considered waste oil. Fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, astatine, and tennessine are examples of halogens and the usage of additives is one of the most common ways halogens are detected in lubricants.

Lubricants with additives that comprise the aforementioned substances in excess of 1,000 ppm are classified as waste oil. However, metalworking fluids containing chlorinated paraffins, for example, may be exempt from the 1,000-ppm restriction if they are to be reclaimed.

How are waste oils managed?

In recent years, the diminishing supply of fossil fuels, rising demand for and cost of petroleum-based fuels, and environmental concerns have prompted an increase in the refining of waste oil to recycled fuel oil. In fact, waste oil or used oil should not be discarded, particularly not in the ocean. Therefore, the used oil can be recycled multiple times through various refining procedures.

Recycled fuel oil is used for a variety of purposes including:

Lubricants, hydraulic/transformer oil

• Rerefined fuel oils
• Industrial burner oil
• Mould oil
• Heavy duty diesel

The process of re-refining used oil will include dewatering, which involves removing the oil's accessing water. The waste oil will subsequently undergo additional processing, such as filtering and demineralization, to remove any contaminating particles. The next phase will be propane deasphalting, which will remove the heavier bituminous fractions, followed by distillation to obtain the final product.

Waste lubricating and hydraulic oils are poisonous and dangerous waste due to the presence of metal particles, thus recycling and utilising them has recently gotten a lot of attention across the world (Beneficial & Skills, 2016). As a result, it is critical to bring this issue to the public's attention.

Due to the highly corrosive nature of waste oil, it is important to trust oil waste management only to certified professionals who possess the required knowledge and technology, as well as facilities to manage waste oil. At GTE, we are equipped with our own advanced laboratory that specialises in waste oil, industrial waste and marine waste treatments. In addition to that, we also have our own specialised vehicles and barges that are required for transporting toxic and hazardous materials.

Most importantly, our team of professionals are also highly trained and especially licensed to handle and manage toxic waste. If you have any questions regarding the steps required to dispose of your waste oil safely and effectively, please do not hesitate to contact us here. Our specialists will be happy to be of service.