INCORPORATION OF WASTE FROM USED LUBE OIL RE-REFINING INDUSTRY IN CERAMIC BODY: CHARACTERIZATION AND PROPERTIES

Abstract

In Brazil, more than 1,000,000 m3 of lube oil are consumed yearly, which generates 350,000 m3 of waste. Approximately 18.4 % of this volume is recovered as rerefined oil. Automotive use represents 70% of Brazil’s motor oil consumption. The re-refining process recovers most of the lube oil that is not burned during motor use. The acid/Clay (Bernd-Meinken) recycling process is adopted in Brazil. Basically, two wastes are produced in this process: (a) acid dregs and (b) filter pie which is rich in clay (bentonite) and re-refined oil. Thermal analysis and technological tests were used to characterize pie residues and ceramic bodies. Two kinds of this waste were used: T1 (crude) and T2 (after partial chemical extraction of oil). Ceramic bodies with different waste concentration added were pressed and sintered at two different temperatures. The results show that the incorporation of 10 %- weight of T2 residue improves ceramic properties. Due to the large amount of oil in T1, sample porosity increases and worsens its properties. Nevertheless, the incorporation of 5 % of T1 still gives acceptable results in brick production. The quantity of waste to be incorporated will depend on the clay quality.