Treatment of Spent Engine Oil via Vacuum Distillation - Adsorption Process

Epere Aworabhi; Akuma Oji; Obumneme Okwonna

doi:10.56201/ijemt.vol.11.no9.2025.pg141.159

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Treatment of Spent Engine Oil via Vacuum Distillation - Adsorption Process

Epere Aworabhi; Akuma Oji; Obumneme Okwonna

Abstract

The treatment of spent engine oil through vacuum distillation and adsorption processes offers a promising solution for enhancing environmental sustainability and facilitating resource recovery. This study investigates integrating these two techniques to produce high-quality diesel-grade engine oil from hazardous waste materials. Utilizing a locally designed laboratory-scale vacuum distillation setup, a series of experiments was conducted to evaluate the effects of various operational parameters, including temperature (ranging from 120°C to 180°C), pressure (500 to 800 mmHg), and distillation time (2 to 4 hours). Following the distillation, adsorption treatments employed activated clay as an adsorbent to further purify the distillate. This sequential treatment significantly improved the oil quality, resulting in a Density of 0.804 – 0.773g/cm3, thereby meeting the stringent quality standards required for diesel applications. The final product exhibited a viscosity index of 30 at 40°C and a flash point of 163°C, confirming its suitability for reuse in diesel engines. These findings underscore the effectiveness of combining vacuum distillation with adsorption processes as a sustainable approach to treating spent engine oil. This research highlights both the technical efficiency and economic viability of this integrated methodology, contributing valuable insights to waste management practices within the petroleum industry while promoting environmental protection and resource conservation.

Keywords

Vacuum distillation; Activated clay; Adsorption; Hazardous waste; Spent engine oil

References

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Treatment of Spent Engine Oil via Vacuum Distillation - Adsorption Process

Abstract

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