Used Automotive Lubricant Treatment by Using Acid-Clay Method
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Date
2016-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Used lubricating oil has been the subject of much debate over recent years in Ethiopia. The amount of
lubricating oils disposed annually in the country is considerably large. This amount of waste lubricating
oil has a significant impact on both economic and environmental aspects. In this research Acid-clay
technology has been tested for re-refining used lubricating oils, usually Total Rubia Tir 7400 15W-40
and Total Quartz 5000 20W-50 by varying acid ratio between 10-20% and adsorbent ratio between 15-
25%. The result showed that the efficiency of the recycling operation depends on these two reagent
ratios. Increasing the acid concentration showed a significant difference over the yield, kinematic
viscosity and other physicochemical properties, however increasing the amount of acid over the
optimum point made no significant change. Better bleaching and yield and other physicochemical
properties were achieved with increasing adsorbent ratio. A maximum yield of 71.45% was obtained for
Rubia Tir 7400 15W-40 at acid ratio of 15% and 25% adsorbent. Whereas a minimum yield is obtained
42.6% at acid ratio of 10% and 15% adsorbent ratio. For Quartz 5000-20W-50 a maximum and
minimum yield, and other physicochemical properties were obtained at 15:25 and 10:15 acid adsorbent
ratio respectively with72.5% and 49% yield. All metal contaminants are substantially removed; total
base number is enhanced while carbon residue is significantly reduced for both lubricants suggesting the
method works effectively regardless of the lubricant type.
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Acid-Clay Method