REGSOR

The introduction of new unit processes developed under the project allows for the recovery of a wide range of used oils which, due to a high degree of degradation or contamination with emulsion, could not be used so far in the production of lubricants

Plate filter for separation of sorbents from oil

Project title

Regeneration of used industrial oils using new unit processes (REGSOR)

Name of Beneficiary/Beneficiaries

‘Blachownia” Institute of Heavy Organic Synthesis - Leader of the consortium
EKOMAX Sp. z o.o.

Name of programme

Smart Development Operational Programme

Competition

Application Projects

Project value

2,582 678.05 PLN

Funding value

1 802,175.79 PLN

Project delivery period

from 01.06.2017 to 30.09.2019.

View the results of our work

Filter cake embedded in plate filter frame

Photo of used oil, contaminated with degradation products (soot and carbon deposit)

Photo of oil after the re-refining process

What problem is addressed by the project?

The main activity of Ekomax is the recovery of used lubricants as well as used low-solidifying liquids and solvents. The technology used so far to recycle waste oils used simple physical and chemical processes consisting in separation of water from oil, centrifugation of solid particles and vacuum removal of water at elevated temperatures. The raw materials for these unit operations could only be oils with a low content of contaminants in the form of emulsions and without the presence of soot and carbon deposit. Such a limited spectrum of recoverable raw materials did not require the use of complex segregation systems and modern technologies. The project itself and the implementation of the results from the research work made it possible to solve this problem.
The introduction of new unit processes developed under the project allows for the recovery of a wide range of used oils which, due to a high degree of degradation or contamination with emulsion, could not be used so far in the production of lubricants. For the purposes of the multi-variant recovery technology, waste categorisation was also developed, taking into account their segregation and selective storage, using new research methodologies developed by EKOMAX. At the same time, the project enables the selection of an individual path for used oil regeneration depending on the contamination degree of the raw material and its ultimate end use in terms of the production of lubricants.
The activities in question made it possible to solve the problem of the impossible processing with regards to highly emulsified and burnt oils and made it possible to produce advanced lubricants with improved physical and chemical properties using re-refined oil bases.

Our advice for other applicants

Environment - Used oils with a significant degree of degradation and a high content of soot, solids and emulsions could be processed using deep refining and hydro-refining processes. However, these are energy- intensive and material-consuming processes requiring advanced facilities, safety systems and an access to an extensive logistics infrastructure. The technology developed in the project reduces the amount of used oil stream required for recovery by refinery methods.
EKOMAX customers - Finished lubricants are based predominantly on the production focussing on re-refined bases. The technology developed under the project allowed to improve the quality of re-refined oil bases and to enable the production of more advanced lubricants, including those not manufactured by Ekomax so far.
EKOMAX Sp. z o.o. - The project enabled the company to develop technologically by introducing new methods of re-refining, to acquire a wider stream of used oils from the market, to increase the production volume of lubricants taking into account new customer needs.