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Production of diesel fuel from used engine oil

Article · April 2010

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 International Journal of Mechanical & Mechatronis Engineering IJMME-IJENS Vol:10 No:02
1

PRODUCTION OF DIESEL FUEL FROM USED ENGINE OIL

R.A Beg, M. R. I. Sarker, and Md. Riaz Pervez

Abstract – Due to scarcity of petroleum products, the used Due to the high cost of crude oil, the country is facing a
engine oils can be used in engine as engine oil after purifying big amount of import bill for crude oil in every year
it. Production of diesel fuel from used engine oil is involving and the economic structure becomes in scattered
chemical filtrations and blending process. It could solve condition to carry on this expenditure. This puts extra
some of the energy problem with increasing the blending burden on its home economy. So, all possible measures
percentage of pre-treated used engine oil (UEO) or by using or attempts should be adopted to increase or to find out
pre-treated used engine oil as a diesel fuel. In the present the alternative way for fuel production so that the
study, samples of shipyard and light vehicles (bus and truck)
people of this country, even of the whole world can
pre-treated used engine oil and different percentage of
blending of pre-treated used engine oil (including clay survive the situation. For smooth functioning of an
treatment, CT) into fresh diesel have been considered. engine, lubricating oils or engine oils are used for
Results show that pre-treated (including CT) used engine oil lubrication. After a certain period of time these used
of shipyard (UEO) and 35% blending of pre-treated engine oils are taken out. During lubrication about 20%
(including CT) used engine oil (UEO) into fresh diesel are of the lubricating oil are consumed and the rest 80% are
suitable to use as a diesel fuel considering Caterpillar remain as such with some impurities. Thus a huge
Specific Limit and comparing with the fresh diesel. quantity of used engine oil is left and wastage from
different transport sectors everyday .Due to scarcity of
Keywords – Engine Oil, Caterpillar Specific Limit,
petroleum products, these used engine oils can be used
filtrations
in engine as engine oil after purifying it. Production of
I. INTRODUCTION diesel fuel from used engine oil is involving chemical,
Diesel is one of the petroleum products, which is filtration and blending process. Very few numbers of
used in all kinds of compression ignition engine as a studies have been carried out using used engine oil [3,
fuel. It is produced from crude oil by various refining 4]. They used up to 10% used engine oil into the
processes, which come out from the oil wells. It heating oils and blended up to 5% used engine oil into
assumes that the source of crude oil would be ruined in the diesel fuel. From the test result of their blended fuel
future, as the demand of petroleum products is growing sample, they claimed that the blended fuel sample is
at faster rate day by day. Natural gas is the largest cleaner and contains less harmful products than the
energy resource in Bangladesh. But the country clean low sulphur diesel. They also found that the
contains one present of the world's total natural gas [1]. blended fuel had good lubricity property and the acid
Again, there are no sufficient resources of crude oil. So, number was below detectable limits. Thus, there is a
Bangladesh completely depends on the crude mineral great scope to utilize these waste used engine oil in
oils of Middle -East countries and spends 15% of its better way which would help to decrease environmental
foreign exchange for importing crude oils and refined liability, save waste oil disposal fees and reduce burden
petroleum products [2]. of fuel import.

Manuscript received: March 09, 2010. This work was II. PRODUCTION PROCESS
supported in part by the Department of Mechanical
Engineering, RUET, Bangladesh. The production process is broadly divided into two
Mohd. Rafiqul Alam Beg is with the Rajshahi University of steps.
Engineering & Technology (RUET), Boulder, Rajshahi i) Pre-treatment of used engine oil
6204, Bangladesh. (Email: rabeg.meruet@yahoo.com) ii) Blending and filtrations
Md. Rabiul Islam Sarker is with the Rajshahi University of
Pre-treatment of used engine oil basically depends upon
Engineering & Technology (RUET), Boulder, Rajshahi
6204, Bangladesh. (Email: islamrabiul@yahoo.com) the sequence of operation of acid treatment,
Md. Riaz Pervez is with the Rajshahi University of neutralization treatment and clay treatment. Other types
Engineering & Technology (RUET), Boulder, Rajshahi of chemical treatment, acid treatment is the most
6204, Bangladesh. (Email: pie_parvez@yahoo.com) important one because total success of reclamation of
used engine oil (UEO) depends upon it. The whole
 International Journal of Mechanical & Mechatronis Engineering IJMME-IJENS Vol:10 No:02
2
processes are presented in the flow sheet (Figure-1). III.TEST PROCEDURE
(i) Used engine oil In the present study, tests were conducted with the
(ii) Fresh diesel. samples of shipyards and light vehicle's (bus, truck)
(iii) Concentrated sulfuric acid (98% H2 S04). pre-treated used engine oil (UEO) and 25%, 35%,
(iv) Caustic soda. 45%and 55%blending of pre-treated UEO (including
(v) Activated clay (activated bleaching earth) clay treatment, CT) into fresh diesel [5]. Blending in
various proportions and filtration were prepared with
the help of WOTEC (waste oil to energy converter)
machine.
STIRRING FOR FEW MINUTES AFTER
STIRRING FOR 10 MINUTES AFTER ADDING5-7 %( based on the weight of the oil)
ADDING (5-8%based on the weight of the
USED NaOH TO THE OIL
oil) 98%H2SO4 TO THE OIL
ENGINE
OIL NaOH
Conc. H2SO4
NUTRALIZATION
ACID TREATMENT
PUMP
TANK

TANK

SLUDGE (BLACK ASHPHALT) IS TAKEN OUT

AFTER ALLOWING HALF AN HOUR FOR
PUMP SLUDGE (BLACKASHPHALT) IS
TAKEN OUT AFTER ALLOWING TWO
HOUR FOR SETTLING ACTIVATED CLAY
(4-6% based on weight)

CLAY
TREATMENT
STORAGE TANK OF PUMP
FRESH DIESEL

SLUDGE

BLENDING
PRIMARY
FILTERING
WOTEC MACHINE
PRIMARY FILTERING AND
WATER REMOVING

STORAGE TANK OF
PRODUCED DIESEL

Figure-1 Flow Sheet of Diesel Fuel production from Used Engine Oil
 International Journal of Mechanical & Mechatronis Engineering IJMME-IJENS Vol:10 No:02
3

Figure-2 WOTEC (Waste-Oil-To-Energy Converter) Machine

IV. FUEL PROPERTIES DETERMINATION

A. Caloric Value: B. API Gravity:
It is determined by Oxygen Bomb Calorimeter [6]. Specific gravity (S.G) at °C
Higher calorific value, HCV = =
Where,
t= Temperature difference between final temp. and Procedure:
initial temp. Graduated beaker is washed with warm distilled water
w = energy equivalent of the calorimeter and then wiped with a clean cloth. By weight balance
=2426 cal/°C the weight of empty beaker & the beaker filled with
e = correction in calories for heat of combustion of 100cc is measured.
fuse wire
= 2.3×c when using nickel-chromium fuse wire
C. Aniline Point:
c= fuse wire consumed in firing, cm=
= length of wire before firing= 10 cm Specified volumes of aniline and sample are pleased in
a tube and mixed mechanically. The mixture is heated
= length of wire after firing, cm at a control rate until the two phases become miscible.
m = weight of sample in gm The mixture is then cooled at a controlled rate and the
temperature at which the two phases separate is
recorded as the aniline point or mixed aniline point.
 International Journal of Mechanical & Mechatronis Engineering IJMME-IJENS Vol:10 No:02
4
D. Diesel Index: G. Cloud Point:
After preliminary heating, the sample is cooled at a
Diesel Index [7] is determined by calculation from the
specified rate and examined at intervals of 2 °F (1 °C)
API gravity and the aniline point of the sample using
for flow characteristics. The lowest temperature at
the following equation:
which a cloud or haze of wax crystal appears at the
Diesel Index= GA/100
bottom of the test jar when the oil is cooled under
Where G is the API gravity; prescribed condition.
A is the aniline point in °F
H. Pour Point:
E. Viscosity After preliminary heating, the sample is cooled at a
specified rate and examined at intervals of 5 °F (3 °C)
The viscosity is determined by the Oswald viscometer. for flow characteristics. The lowest temperature at
Co-efficient of viscosity or dynamic viscosity, which the movement of the oil is observed is recorded
µ= Aρt as the pour point.
Kinematic viscosity, ν= = At
I. Lead (Pb) Concentration:
Where
Lead concentration is determined with the Ultraviolet-
t = falling time of a liquid for a particular distance
Photo-Spectra-Meter while experiment is conducted at
through the tube of Oswald viscometer.
Bangladesh Council for Scientific & Industrial
ρ= density of liquid
Research (BCSIR), Dhaka, Bangladesh.
A=calibration constant of Oswald viscometer, which is
numerically equal for every liquid flowing past a
particular distance through the tube of Oswald V. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
viscometer.
To determine optimum percentage of blending,
Hence blended diesel (fresh diesel and pre-treated used engine
= A× ; ‘w’ refers the water. oil) and also clay treated used engine oil could be used
directly (without blending with fresh diesel) as a diesel
»A = ; The value of A can be easily determined
fuel, then some important properties of the produced
by putting the chart value of corresponding to room diesel of different percentage of blending and pre-
temperature and measured value of in this equation. treated used engine oil (including clay treatment) were
And evaluated. The values as obtained were compared with
= A× ; ‘f’ refers to diesel fuel. the fresh diesel and Caterpillar Specific Limit is
presented in table-1.
Using the last above equation the kinematic viscosity of
different diesel fuel sample can be determined. From table-1, it is clear that pre-treated (including clay
treatment, CT) used engine oil (UEO) of shipyards
F. Flash Point and Fire Point: could be used directly as a diesel fuel according to the
Caterpillar Specific Limit. Moreover, under
This method covers the determination of flash point & consideration of Caterpillar Specific limit maximum
fire point by Pensky-Martens Closed Cup tester of fuel blending percentage of pre -treated (including, CT)
oils, lube oils, suspensions of solids, liquids that tend to used engine oil of both shipyard and light vehicles are
form a surface film under test conditions and other 35%.
liquids. From table-1, it is evident that diesels produced from
light vehicle's used engine oil are too viscous and that's
The sample is heated at a slow, constant rate with why it has lower cloud point and pour point and
continual stirring. A small flame is directed into the cup comparatively high flash point and fire point. From
at regular intervals with simultaneous interruption of table -1 it is also observed that all samples except
stirring. The flash point is the lowest temperature at 55%blending of pre-treated (including clay treatment)
which application of the test flame causes the vapor used engine oil (UEO) of shipyard with fresh diesel
above the sample to ignite. contain less than 1 ppm lead. Pre-treated (including,
Fire point is the temperature at which the flash will CT) used engine oil of shipyard and 35% blending of
sustain itself as a steady flame for at least five seconds. pre- treated (including, CT) used engines oil of both
 International Journal of Mechanical & Mechatronis Engineering IJMME-IJENS Vol:10 No:02
5
shipyard and light vehicles (bus, truck) contain 0.2053
Table-1 Summary of Experimental Results & Comparisons with That of Fresh Diesel and Caterpillar Specific Limit.

Caterpillar Fresh SHIPYARD BUS AND TRUCK

diesel
Specific limit
CT 25% 35% 45% 55% CT 25% 35% 45% 55%
(CT) (CT) (CT) (CT) (CT) (CT) (CT) (CT)

HCV ----------- 42592.2 42930.79 45632.44 45979.37 45290.32 45293.89 47001.88 44962.96 45638.22 46647.56 48010.90
KJ/KG

API gravity Min 30 34.05 30.06 32.78 31.65 25.60 21.04 23.00 25.46 25.97 20.99 19.88
Max 45

Aniline ----------- 51.6 61.0 54.0 55.5 56.0 56.8 104.0 66.0 68.8 73.4 75
Point (°C)

Diesel index Min 40 43 43 43 42 34 29 51 39 39 35 34

Viscosity (cst) Min 1. 4 1.98 5.05 2.42 3.33 3.39 3.46 14.03 5.45 5.99 6.97 8.04
Max 20

Flash point (°C) Min legal 60 73 63 65 68 70 71 59 62 64 67

Fire point (°C) Min legal 68 77 71 73 75 76 78 68 71 74 78

Cloud point (C) Not above -15 -8 -14 -13.2 -12 -11.5 -8 -12.6 -11.5 -10 -8
ambient

Pour point (°C) Min 9°C <-18 -16 <-18 <-18 <-18 <-18 -1 -16.8 -15.6 -14 -13
below
ambient

Pb (ppm) No specific 0.1723 0.2053 0.7386 0.2682 0.1753 1.0061 0.6617 0.4434 0.1599 0.1094 0.0107
limit

ppm, 0.2682 ppm and 0.1599 ppm respectively. So,

obviously, these would be less harmful to the VII. CONCLUSION
environment.
From the experimental study, it is evident that pre-
treated (including clay treatment, CT) used engine oil
VI. FUTURE RECOMENDATION (UEO) and 35%blending of pre- pretreated (including,
CT) used engine oil of shipyard (UEO) into fresh diesel
Since produced diesel oil is technically suitable, are suitable to use as a diesel fuel considering
economically viable, less responsible to pollute Caterpillar Specific Limit and comparing with the fresh
environment and have more marketing aspect, so the diesel. Though the samples have a little bit higher value
research subject on this topic should be given higher of viscosity (kinematics), flash point fire point but these
priority. value are in tolerable range. Produced diesel is
The following points are recommended for the future technically suitable, economically viable and less
work: responsible to pollute environment
1. Reduce viscosity of produce diesel oil.
2. Further research work may be carried to produce
diesel from used engine oil of Railway.
3. The remaining properties such as distillation,
aromatic content, water and sediment content &
concentration of sulphur should have to be determined
and have to be observed their effect on engine
performance.
 International Journal of Mechanical & Mechatronis Engineering IJMME-IJENS Vol:10 No:02
6

VIII. REFERENCES
Md. Rabiul Islam Sarker
1. "Annual Report" -Bangladesh oil and Gas was born at Jaipurhat,
Company, 1992 Bangladesh in 20/02/1982.
2. "Annual Report"-Bangladesh Petroleum He obtained M.Sc
Corporation, 1999. Engineering in Mechanical
Engineering from RUET,
3. "Test Results of Blending Diesel Fuel"- Global Bangladesh in the field of
Energy Recovery Corporation, Feb.1997, ION Automatic Control System.
Industries INC, August 1998,Echo Bay Minerals Now he is a Lecturer of the
Company, June 1997. Department of ME, RUET.
He is now supervising some
4. Report on" Waste Oil to energy Converter" - B.Sc Engineering thesis &
Global Energy Recovery Corporation, 1997. project in the field of automatic control system. He published
5. Chowdhury, M.A.and Hoque , Z."Diesel Fuel some journal & conference paper in the field of Control
Production From Used Engine Oil", B.Sc. Engg. . Engineering.
Thesis, MEDept, BIT, Rajshahi Bangladesh, June Mr. Sarker is a member of Institute of Engineers, Bangladesh.
2000.
6. Morse, F.T “Power Plant Engineering and Md. Riaz Pervez was born at
Design” 3rd Edition, March 1, 1953. Tangail, in 20th June 1985,
7. Mathur, M.L and Sharma, R.P “Internal Bangladesh. He received his
Combustion Engines” 8th Edition, Dhanpat Rai Bachelor of Science degree in
Mechanical Engineering in 2008
Publication, 1996.
from RUET.
He, Lecturer of Mechanical
Engineering, RUET supervised
thesis & project work related to
Prof. Dr. Mohd. Rafiqul the Robotics, Diesel Engine &
Alam Beg was born in Vehicles and Renewable
07/01/1959 at Rajshahi, Energy.
Bangladesh. He obtained PhD Md. Pervez is a member of Bangladesh Society of
in Mechanical Engineering Mechanical Engineering (BSME) & Institute of Engineers
from Jadavpur University of (IEB), Bangladesh.
India in the field of Applied
Thermodynamics in 1996.
Now he is working as a dean of
faculty of Mechanical
Engineering of RUET,
Bangladesh. He also worked as
a Treasurer, Head of the Dept. of the IPE, ME, Director
Research & Extension, Registrar. He supervised one PhD
student as a home supervisor under JSPS-RONPAKU
program in 2008, and also supervised M.Sc thesis in 2009 and
a co-supervisor in 2002. He also worked in the various
research projects at IIT Khargpur and Jadavpur University as
titles (i) Development of Ceramic Coated Diesel Engine using
Methanol/ Vegetable oils as alternative fuels (ii) Use of
Vegetable oil as a fuel in Diesel Engine (iii) Experimental
Investigation on the performance & Exhaust Emissions of a
low heat rejection Engine in 1996 etc.
Mr. Beg as a Fellow of Institute of Engineers, Bangladesh

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