Used Oil to Base Oil Feedstock

Not every drum of used oil is created equal, but a surprisingly wide range of spent lubricants can be rebuilt into high-grade base stock. Knowing which oils qualify, and what makes a batch hard to process, is the first step in designing a dependable feedstock strategy for any re-refining operation.

Mineral-Based Oils

Conventional mineral oils form the backbone of most recycling programs. Used motor oil from cars and trucks is the most familiar, joined by used hydraulic oil drained from construction equipment and machine tools, alongside a broad family of industrial lubricants including gear, compressor and turbine oils. Each carries valuable base oil that proper re-refining can recover.

Synthetic-Based Oils

Synthetic lubricants, engineered for higher temperature tolerance and oxidation resistance, can also be recycled, though their chemistry sometimes demands adjustments to the process. Used synthetic engine, transmission, hydraulic and gear oils are all candidates for base oil recovery, with recyclability depending on the specific formulation and the additives involved. Some synthetics simply need extra processing to yield a clean base stock.

What Shapes Suitability

Two factors decide how economically a stream can be purified. Contamination with water, coolant or fuel pushes up processing cost, and the degree of degradation from heat and oxidation alters the oil’s chemistry. Well-segregated, lightly contaminated inputs are the most rewarding, which is why disciplined collection and storage at the source matters as much as the refinery itself.

Learn More:

• Feasibility Studies for Waste-to-Value Projects
• Turn-Key EPC Delivery
• Plant Design & Engineering
• Facility Efficiency Upgrades
• Resource Recovery Projects

Know your feedstock before you lock in your design

The right oil mix and collection discipline lift yield and protect your margins.

Klean maps your waste oil stream and matches it to a re-refining route that pays.

Considering a used oil to base oil project?

Contact Klean Industries about used oil to base oil » GO.