Hydrotreatment for Re-Refining Lubricants
Hydrotreatment of waste lubricants presents formidable technical challenges due to the compositional complexity of feedstocks. Used oils typically contain 2-5% moisture, 3-8% fuel dilution components, and accumulated metal contaminants at concentrations between 800-1500 ppm. When subjected to high-pressure hydrogen environments (70-140 bar), these contaminants can poison catalysts, reducing active sites by up to 40% and diminishing conversion efficiency throughout the 1500-2000 hour catalyst lifecycle.
The fundamental challenge lies in balancing process severity with product quality while managing hydrogen consumption and catalyst deactivation rates in a feedstock environment that varies significantly in composition.
This page brings together solutions from recent research—including integrated modular systems with continuous monitoring capabilities, ebullated-bed hydroprocessing with inline catalyst rejuvenation, sequential hydrotreating approaches with hydrogen-rich effluent integration, and specialized hydroconversion processes with deasphalted oil recycling. These and other approaches focus on maximizing base oil recovery while addressing the practical constraints of contaminant removal, hydrogen management, and catalyst stability in commercial re-refining operations.
1. Integrated System for Regeneration and Recovery of Waste Oils with Modular High-Pressure Circuits and Automated Purification Components
EVGENII MIKHAILOVICH DEREVTSOV, 2025
Integrated plant for regeneration and recovery of waste industrial and engine oils, comprising a module for removing moisture and fuel fractions, a diagnostics and monitoring module, a quality control module, and an additive application module, all connected through high-pressure hydraulic circuits and reservoirs for oil, additives, and vapors. The plant features automated recirculation circuits with sensors and centrifuges for continuous oil purification and quality monitoring.
2. Impacts of Refining Partially Upgraded Bitumen: Vacuum Gas Oil Hydrotreating
Anton Alvarez‐Majmutov, Tingyong Xing, Yi Zhang - American Chemical Society (ACS), 2024
This study investigates the hydrotreating characteristics of the vacuum gas oil (VGO) fraction of partially upgraded bitumen (PUB), an alternative refinery feedstock from Canadian oil sand bitumen with processability requirements that are yet to be understood. Hydrotreating experiments were conducted in a continuous hydroprocessing pilot plant using VGOs from PUB prepared in-house via thermal cracking and solvent deasphalting, as well as VGOs from unprocessed bitumen and light crude oil as points of comparison. Blends of VGOs from PUB and light crude oil were also tested. The VGOs from PUB were higher in sulfur, nitrogen, aromatics and resins combined, and contained olefins. The hydrotreating experiments were designed to determine the working temperature to desulfurize and denitrogenate a given VGO feed to levels that would be acceptable for further processing in a refining scheme with fluid catalytic cracking and/or hydrocracking units. Hydrotreating the VGOs from PUB proved more difficult than the VGOs from unprocessed bitumen and light crude oil, requiring a 515 C rise in reacti... Read More
3. Co-hydrotreatment of Bio-oil and Waste Cooking Oil to Produce Transportation Fuels
Melba Denson, Raiza Manrique, Mariefel V. Olarte - American Chemical Society (ACS), 2024
This paper reports the co-hydrotreatment of the heavy bio-oil fraction with waste cooking oil (WCO) using the NiMo/-Al2O3 catalyst, followed by the distillation of the resulting deoxygenated oil and the characterization of the resulting fuel cuts. The heavy Biomass Technology Group (BTG) bio-oil fraction was obtained by removing the very reactive light-oxygenated compounds via rotary evaporation and subsequently mixed with 1-butanol. The resulting oil was blended with WCO and subjected to a two-step co-hydrotreatment process. The first step, called "stabilization," was aimed at saturating highly reactive hydrogen-deficient compounds. The second step, called "deoxygenation," aimed to remove bio-oil oxygen, primarily as H2O. This study examined the impact of varying bio-oil concentrations (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 wt % of WCO) on the upgraded oil's yield, composition, and fuel properties. The resulting hydrotreated oil was distilled into gasoline-range, kerosene-range, and diesel-range hydrocarbons at <150, 150250, and 250350 C, respectively. The yield of the hydrotreated oil indicated th... Read More
4. Hydrothermal Liquefaction Biocrude Stabilization via Hydrotreatment
Athanasios Dimitriadis, Stella Bezergianni - MDPI AG, 2024
The main objective of the manuscript is to investigate mild hydrotreatment upgrading of hydrothermal liquefaction biocrude to improve its stability and energy content. To that end, biocrude hydrotreatment was performed, exploring three different operating windows in order to examine the effect of reaction temperature and hydrogen supply on deoxygenation reactions. A typical NiMo/Al2O3 hydrotreating catalyst was utilized while the experiments were performed in a continuous-flow TRL 3 hydrotreatment plant. The results show that the resulting product has a higher carbon content as compared to the raw feed. The oxygenated compounds were removed, leading to a product with almost zero oxygen and water content, with high energy density. The reaction pathways during the hydrotreatment upgrading of biocrude were investigated via GC-MS analysis and presented in detail in the manuscript. In general, the hydrotreating process was able to improve the quality of the initial biocrude, allowing easier handling and storing for further upgrading, or to be used as an intermediate refinery stream.
5. MODELING AND OPTIMIZATION OF THE PROCESS HYDROTREATING OF DIESEL FUEL
Araz Mesimov Natig Abbasov Natig Abbasov - Education Support and Investment Fund NGO, 2024
Various technological processes are applied in the field of modern oil refining. Each of the processes in turn is implemented by many technological schemes and methods. These technological processes form the basis of many simple processes in oil refining and chemical production. In this way, learning processes are facilitated. They process oil and its products using various processes. This article describes the process of refining of the diesel fraction in a circulating medium comprising hydrogen gas at high pressure and temperature, to remove organosulfur compounds. Keywords: diesel fuel, hydraulic treating, filter, energy efficiency, energy saving
6. Refinery Products and Product Improvement Processes
James G. Speight - CRC Press, 2024
This book focuses on the various refinery products, product improvement processes, and solvent processes that are used in the refining industry and the processes used in product improvement to ensure products meet sales specifications. This accessible book is written for engineers, scientists, students, and academics wanting an update on crude oil processing and insight into the direction of the industry. Key features: Describes the development of technologies for a variety of feedstocks, including heavy feedstocks utilizing advanced pre-treatment processing and hydrotreating. Presents the initial refining processes and prepares for the new changes and evolution of the industry, including the role of biomass in the future refinery. Analyses catalyst deactivation mechanism for developing optimum technologies for processing feedstocks with low reactivity. Includes an extensive glossary which will be beneficial for non-technical readers.
7. Use of an absorber for the regeneration of hydrotreating catalysts using a steam-air mixture
Alisher Jumaboev, Shoxrux Jumaboyev - EDP Sciences, 2024
This article explores the processing of high-sulfur petroleum products into low-sulfur fuels without harming the environment. Specifically, it discusses the implementation of EURO-3 standards at the Bukhara Oil Refinery in Uzbekistan since 2022. The study examines the hydrodesulfurization process used to treat high-sulfur heavy fractions of oil. The primary aim of the research is to improve the method of oxidative regeneration of hydrotreating catalysts. Modern techniques are proposed for restoring the activity of used catalysts, one of which involves regeneration with a steam-air mixture. This new method offers numerous advantages over traditional approaches, including significant savings in energy and materials, reduced process duration, and decreased emissions of harmful gases into the environment. Consequently, this method not only enhances production efficiency but also plays a crucial role in protecting both the environment and human health.
8. Application of the Three-Reactor Hydrogenation Process in the Recycling Utilization of Waste Lubricating Oil and Study on the Catalyst Deactivation Mechanism
Fang You, Peng Zhang, Mengya Guo - Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), 2024
In the recycling of waste lubricating oil, the rapid deactivation of catalysts during the hydrotreating process limits its industrial application. In this paper, a three-reactor process is proposed for the...
9. pH-switchable hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents for sustainable recycling extraction of high oily waste
Ning Gao, Yunbo Wang, Luo Hui-xin - Elsevier BV, 2024
The accumulation of oily waste increases annually with the growth in crude oil demand. Its toxicity and high heating value present both opportunities and challenges for treatment technologies. In recent years, the emergence of hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (HDES) has promoted advancements in low-toxicity extraction processes. Leveraging the advantages of HDES and addressing the challenges posed by real oily sawdust (with a 67.9 % oil content), this study presents a novel green HDES solvent composed of ethyl maltol and fatty acids, accompanied by a corresponding extraction process. At a low temperature of 60 C, the process achieved impressive results: an oil extraction efficiency close to 86.3 %, a dehydration rate exceeding 92.2 %, and a heavy metal removal rate ranging from 15 % to 75 %. In the exploration of solvents recycling, pH-switching facilitated the deprotonation and protonation of phenol-fatty acid HDES, promoting effective recovery of the oil phase. Even after 5 cycles, the oil extraction rate could still be maintained above 75 %. It is worth noting that the regenera... Read More
10. АНАЛІЗ ДОЦІЛЬНОСТІ ВІДНОВЛЕННЯ ВІДПРАЦЬОВАНИХ ОЛИВ ДЛЯ ПОДАЛЬШОГО ЇХ ЗАСТОСУВАННЯ НА ВІЙСЬКОВІЙ ТЕХНІЦІ ПІД ЧАС ВЕДЕННЯ БОЙОВИХ ДІЙ
Ю. Кузенко, I.I. Levchenko, Валерій Маліков - Odesa Military Academy, 2023
The increased consumption and production of petroleum products have led to a rise in the volumes of used motor oils, which has become an urgent issue in terms of ecology and economic feasibility. The production and use of motor oils involve complex processes associated with significant energy and financial expenses. Therefore, there is a growing interest in finding effective solutions for the rejuvenation and processing of used motor oils for further utilization. This would reduce the negative environmental impact and preserve natural resources. The purpose of this scientific article is to conduct an analysis of the feasibility of motor oil recovery and evaluate the economic viability of their subsequent use in petroleum refining processes. Through a systematic study of this issue, we aim to identify optimal approaches to the recovery and rational use of used motor oils, contributing to the creation of a more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy system. To achieve this goal, we will examine existing motor oil recovery technologies, their effectiveness, advantages, and disa... Read More
11. Experimental regeneration process of used motor oils
Fetta Danane, Aida Chérifa Ahmia, Abdeldjalil Bakiri - Centre de Developpement des Energie Renouvelables, 2023
The present work, on an experimental basis, consists of an analysis and treatment of used motor oil (used oil collected by NAFTAL stored at the port of Algiers). For this, we carried out tests in the laboratory in order to develop an adequate re-refining process. First we made a comparative analysis between the sample taken from a storage tank and a new engine oil produced in the Arzew refinery. The results of these analysis allowed us to identify the different stages of the process of regeneration (Pre-treatment, metal removal by a chemical agent, a finishing treatment by passage through the bentonite and filtration). This process has enabled us to eliminate most of the impurities and the optimization of different parameters, the engine oil obtained at the end of the process is a basic oil ready to be used again.
12. Method for Hydrocarbon Feed Stream Upgrading Using Sequential Hydrotreating with Hydrogen-Rich Effluent Integration
SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO, 2023
A method for upgrading hydrocarbon feed streams to produce higher value products, comprising: hydrotreating an aromatic feed stream to produce a hydrogen-rich effluent; combining the hydrogen-rich effluent with a heavy fraction of the feed stream; and hydrotreating the combined stream to produce a second product effluent. The method enables improved hydrogenation and hydroprocessing of the feedstock by utilizing the hydrogen-rich effluent as a donor solvent during the second hydrotreating step.
13. Key Factors to Use Existing Commercial Hydrotreating Plants for the Co-Hydrotreating of Vegetable Oil and Gas Oil
Carlos Cárdenas-Guerra, Fernando Alonso, Jorge Ancheyta - American Chemical Society (ACS), 2023
The production of renewable fuels by co-hydrotreating is considered a very promising solution to make use of the existing petroleum refining infrastructure. Differently to stand-alone hydrotreating, co-hydrotreating requires lower investment costs. To design a co-hydrotreating of vegetable oil and gas oil, various issues need to be properly examined. This work reports an extensive review and discussion of such issues to provide a clear understanding of the effects on feedstocks, operating conditions, catalysts, corrosion, and product quality. The discussion also includes the challenges for modeling and simulation of co-hydrotreating processes.
14. Hydrotreating and Hydrocracking Processes in Refining Technology
James G. Speight - CRC Press, 2023
Written by an industry expert with over 50 years of experience, this book details the various solvent processes that are used in crude oil refineries. Providing an in-depth exploration of the different types of processes, as well as the types of feedstocks that can be used with them, this book prepares readers for changes as the industry evolves. Key Features: Describes feedstock evaluation and the effects of elemental, chemical, and fractional composition Contains an extensive glossary of all related concepts in hydrotreating and hydrocracking processes Considers next-generation processes and developments This book is an essential guide for engineers, scientists, and students in the field of petroleum processing and refining technology, including professionals, technicians, management personnel, and academics.
15. Hydrogenation of Light Cycle Oil to Produce Components of Winter and Arctic Diesel Fuels
M. U. Sultanova, V. O. Samoylov, A. F. Ziniatullina - The Russian Academy of Sciences, 2023
This study proposed and experimentally investigated a novel approach to hydrogenation of light cycle oil (LCO) into components of winter and arctic diesel fuels (DF) environmentally classified as K5 as per the Technical Regulation of the Customs Union (TR CU) 013/2011 On the requirements for automotive and aviation gasoline, diesel and marine fuels, jet fuels, and heating oils. The process design involves atmospheric distillation of LCO with EBP 300C followed by hydrotreating. Hydrogenates with low concentrations of total sulfur (10 mg/kg) and arenes (28.638.0 wt %) and adequate low-temperature properties (CFPP43C) were produced. An assessment of the physicochemical properties of the hydrogenates against applicable regulations for DF properties suggested that these hydrogenates can be effectively used as components of winter and arctic fuels by blending them into hydroisomerization diesel fractions (HIDF) and winter diesel fuels (WDF). An analysis of the main quality characteristics confirmed the feasibility of blending the LCO-derived hydrogenates into winter and arctic diese... Read More
16. Recycling of Used Engine Oil Using Extraction by Single Solvent
Mohamed Jurny, Mohamed S. El‐Bourawi, Ezeddine Zorgani - Science Publishing Group, 2023
The need for virgin base oil is reduced and other resources are conserved during the refining of used, spent, or waste oils to make new lubricating oil. It is important to collect and recycle spent lubricating oil in order to protect the environment and natural resources. Although the lubricating oil itself remains unchanged after use, it becomes contaminated with combustion byproducts, deteriorated additives, water, and various dust particles during its time in the engine. The purpose of re-cycling is to eliminate degraded additives and impurities while restoring the oil's qualities to those specified by the Society of Automotive Engineers. Therefore, this study focuses on the extraction of engine oils utilizing a single solvent approach for re-cycling. The N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone was used as the solvent. The used oil was gathered from vehicle repair stations. After being allowed for settling to removing large suspended particles, the oil was subjected to a sequence of physical treatment processes. The solvent recovery process was carried out by using rotary evaporator equipment with... Read More
17. Refining Used Lubricant Oils with Different Concentration Levels of Sulfuric Acid and Nonylphenol
José Abisenas Alvarez-Rivera, Guillermo Castañón-Nájera, Juan Manuel Urrieta-Saltijeral - Faculty of Engineering, University of Kragujevac, 2023
The purpose of this research was to evaluate the refining of used lubricating oils (ULOs), and their possible use as drilling fluids. 17 treatments were evaluated and sulfuric acid and nonylphenol were used as reagents at concentrations of 0.12, 0.24 and 0.36 g/mL and temperatures of 40, 60, 80 and 100 C. AT80 and AT100 ULOs treated at 80 and 100 C without reagents, presented an average density of 0.84 g/cm-3, a viscosity of 76.3 and 75.3 cP, an electrical stability of 1,731.3 and 1,394.6 V and a flash point of 183 and 190 C as higher. The ST40C1 and ST40C2 treatments, added with reagents, showed similar results to AT80 and AT100 in the evaluated variables, but they are more expensive treatments. According to the results, it is concluded that the refined ULO can be a substitute for the oil used in the formulation of oil-based drilling fluids.
18. Specification for Re-Refined Engine Oil Bottoms (REOB)/Vacuum Tower Asphalt Extender (VTAE)
- ASTM International, 2023
This specification establishes the material, manufacturing, and physical requirements for re-refined engine oil bottoms, also known as vacuum tower asphalt extender, that may be used in formulating asphalt for pavement construction and roofing. "Re-refined engine oil bottoms" (REOB) is the commonly used term used by many state highway agencies and FHWA, while "vacuum tower asphalt extender" (VTAE) is preferred by manufacturers. REOB/VTAE may be obtained by processing used engine oil using atmospheric distillation followed by vacuum distillation to produce a vacuum residuum meeting the requirements outlined in this specification. The REOB/VTAE shall be homogenous, free from water, and not foam when heated to 232C (450F).
19. Thermolysis of petroleum oil and solubility of deposits
N Mamulaishvili, G Partskhaladze, G Chavleshvili - GSC Online Press, 2022
The article discusses the process of formation of deposits in the pipelines of the engine oil system and the factors affecting the conditions for their formation. The technological process of oxidation and the criteria for indicator parameters characterizing the thermolysis of used oil are shown. An extractive method is proposed that ensures the removal of deposits from the pipeline using special flushing process fluids based on regenerated petroleum oil. To search for cheap and efficient hydrocarbon raw materials, regenerated petroleum oils were chosen from among the renewable resources of oil refining. The proposed process fluid was prepared on the basis of low-viscosity spent and then purified petroleum oil. The viscosity of the petroleum oil was adjusted with the addition of petroleum kerosene or diesel. Diluted surfactant solutions were used as additives. and detergent additive (alkali metal salts). It was revealed that in the oil system of an automobile engine at high temperatures (200-350 0C) oil thermolysis occurs, and the resulting deposits contain asphaltenes, carbons and c... Read More
20. Re-refining Used Engine Oil in Ghana Using Solvent Extraction and Acid-Clay Treatment
Emmanuela Kwao-Boateng, Terza Anokye-Poku, Anthony Nana Prempeh Agyemang - Wiley, 2022
Despite having detrimental impacts on the environment and human health, used engine oil is not properly disposed of in Ghana. However, used engine oil can be a valuable resource when recycled. This study investigates the recovery of base oils from used engine oils collected in one Ghanaian municipality. The used engine oils are re-refined either through acid-clay treatment or solvent extraction. Pour point, density, viscosity index, and total acid number of used engine oil and re-refined oils were measured in order to evaluate the two re-refining processes used and assess whether it is appropriate to reuse the re-refined oils as base oils. The pour point, total acid number, and viscosity index of the re-refined oils were significantly different from those of the used engine oils. The density of the re-refined oils varied little from that of the used engine oils (by 0.83% to 6.65%). These changes indicate the separation of some components, primarily impurities, from used engine oil as a result of re-refining. Compared to solvent extraction, acid-clay treatment was found to be less sel... Read More
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