Efficiency vs parameters of spent motor oil regeneration process

Abstract

Object and purpose of research. The purpose of this study is to construct regulatory diagram of water-fuel fraction stripping from a thin slick of spent motor oil in a cyclonic vacuum-thermal evaporator and estimate the conditions in which this regeneration process is the most efficient. Materials and methods. Regulatory diagram are based on the plots of plane sections with the isolines of water-fuel fraction stripping efficiency, three-dimensional hypersurfaces of stripping functions in natural values characterizing the efficiency of water-fuel fraction stripping from spent motor oil slick with reference to the temperature and vacuum pressure in cyclonic vacuum-thermal evaporator. Main results. Regulatory diagrams are a part of integrated mathematical model describing “soft” regeneration of spent motor oil as per the procedure suggested by the author for both separate and joint stripping of water and light fuels from spent motor oil of a marine diesel. These regulatory diagrams indicate the temperature of spent motor oil and vacuum pressures offering the greatest efficiency of fuel and water stripping for vacuum-thermal evaporators of various capacity. Conclusion. Regulatory diagrams are necessary to predict the results of regeneration process bringing viscosity and flash point of regenerated motor oil well above the minimum acceptable levels stipulated in regulatory documents, so that the oil thus regenerated becomes again suitable for use in internal combustion engines.

Keywords

• regeneration
• motor oils
• regulatory diagrams
• cyclonic vacuum-thermal evaporator