RE-REFINING OF USED LUBRICATING OIL USING SOLVENT EXTRACTION AND VACUUM DISTILLATION

Abstract

Keywords: Used oil, Re-refining Solvent extraction, butyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, Vacuum distillation, Experimental design, Optimization, Net profit. Summary: This thesis was objected to make a semi complete study about re-refining of used lubricating oil by solvent extraction, using butyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol as solvents, followed by fractional vacuum distillation. Experimental work was held in “Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute”. Used lube oil which is the feed of experimental work is taken as a sample from “Suez Oil Processing Company”. The target of experimental work is to make treated lube oil specifications meet the European and Egyptian specifications of neutralize oil (treated used oil), and determine the optimum operating variables, then make calculation of factorial experimental design and corresponding net profit. The results of experimental work revealed that: Treated oil with solvent extraction followed by vacuum distillation will meet Egyptian and European specs