The Power of Activated Carbon: An Environmentally Friendly Way to Clean Used Engine Oil

Engine oil plays a crucial role in maintaining the performance and longevity of vehicles. However, constant use causes engine oil to become dirty and deteriorate. Improper disposal of used engine oil poses an environmental risk. This is where an environmentally friendly solution for cleaning and recycling used oil comes into play: activated carbon filtration.

Activated carbon is known for its excellent adsorption properties and has proven to be a powerful tool in the purification of used engine oil. By effectively removing contaminants and recycling used engine oil, the environmental impact is reduced. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits, operation and practical applications of activated carbon filtration for used engine oil. In this way, you will better understand how it contributes to the sustainable management of a valuable resource.

Purification of used engine oil: step-by-step process

Pre-treatment of used engine oil: Pre-treatment is recommended to remove large deposits or solid particles. The removal of heavier contaminants by methods such as sedimentation or centrifugation optimizes the purification process.

Removal of the water content: Remove water content from used engine oil. Place in the refining tank, heat to 70-80°C and wait until the water has settled. Then slowly increase the temperature to 120°C. During this process, the water evaporates and black, oily gas escapes from the surface of the oil.

Pickling process: Slowly add sulphuric acid to the cooled oil. The amount of acid depends on the degree of soiling. After stirring for thirty minutes, wait until the acid residues run off.

Alkaline wash: Reheat the oil to 80°C and stir in sodium carbonate. Once neutrality is confirmed, wait four hours before draining the alkaline slag.

Activated carbon adsorption: Heat the oil to 110-120°C and add activated carbon while stirring. Wait overnight after stirring for thirty minutes.

Filtering: Use an oil filter or opt for a hanging filter with a cloth bag to filter the oil effectively. This step ensures high quality oil.

Purpose of activated carbon: purification and sustainability

The purpose of activated carbon is to improve the quality of the oil by effectively removing contaminants and contaminants from the used engine oil. Activated carbon fulfills this task perfectly thanks to its porous structure and large surface area.

When used in filtration systems, activated carbon can attract and absorb a range of contaminants, from organic compounds to heavy metals and sludge. Once the contaminants are absorbed, the quality of the oil increases significantly and an environmentally friendly recycling process begins.

Advantages of activated carbon filtration:

1. Removal of impurities: Activated carbon effectively removes accumulated carbon deposits, dirt and other solid contaminants from used engine oil. It also removes soluble contaminants and dissolved pollutants.
2. Improved oil quality: The removal of impurities helps to improve the quality of the oil. Purified oil offers better lubricating properties, better thermal stability and lower viscosity.
3. Environmental compatibility: Activated carbon filtration reduces environmental pollution by facilitating the recycling of used oil. Removing contaminants from the oil prevents their release into the environment and promotes sustainable resource management.
4. Savings: Cleaning used engine oil with activated carbon reduces the need for new oil production and lowers maintenance costs. This is particularly important for industries that produce large quantities of used oil.

The use of activated carbon in the purification of used engine oil is therefore an effective, efficient and environmentally friendly purification method. At Carbontech, we proudly offer our expertise in waste engine oil purification solutions to companies that want to contribute to environmental sustainability. Contact us to learn more about our services and technologies. Let us work together for a cleaner future with environmentally friendly solutions!