Reclamation is a non-chemical process by which a charge of lube oil is treated and the charge to the machine sump is returned. The reclamation process usually involves cleaning, drying, adsorption and filtration. Filtration can be in a number of different forms such as centrifuging (this is a process that removes suspended particles and some water) vacuum dehydration or absorption with fuller’s earth or another activated media. This removes color, acids and sludge. Once the process is complete lube oil can be restored in-service for reuse in a system. It can be a profitable, cost effective and ecologically sound activity. This process is often carried out on transformer oil, turbine oil, hydraulic oil etc.
Oil reclamation achieves:
- The conservation of a valuable resource
- The reduction of long term liability for disposed products
- Reduced waste disposal cost (i.e. reduced financial costs)
- Avoids environmental contamination.
It is important that testing is conducted to ensure that the performance of the oil is not downgraded after reclamation. Some oils lend themselves better to the oil reclamation process than others. Oils that respond well using this process include hydraulic oils, transformer oils and to some extent turbine oils.
The following should be considered when choosing a reclamation service company:
- They should test your charge before and after reclamation. This will ensure that there is compliance with your target
- Provide a certificate of analysis after reclamation
- should offer references of successful reclamation of transformer oil at other companies
Process Systems Services Pty Ltd offers all these services at an affordable price. Click Here for more information on how Process Systems Services Pty Ltd can assist you with your oil reclamation needs.
Removing Oil
Removing human-released oil from the planet’s water bodies is important for protecting birds, marine mammals and marine ecosystems. When oil is released into water bodies through human activity it can prevent birds flying and their digestion, while marine mammals can dehydrate and lose their insulation ability often leading to hypothermia. Oil can also affect the marine food chain, as oil floats on top of water impeding the penetration of light. As a result, photosynthesis of marine plants phytoplankton is limited, decreasing fauna populations.
Although oil spills from tankers are the most publicised of human activities that introduce oil into the marine ecosystem, these disasters only make up about 5% of ocean oil pollution. Other sources include road, load and industrial runoff, ship maintenance and operations, seepage from the ocean floor and the erosion of sedimentary rocks. Land-based runoff has been estimated to release 363 million gallons of oil into the ocean each year, in comparison with 37 million gallons from oil tanker spills. Bilge cleaning and other routine ship operations release about 363 million gallons into the water per year, while offshore drilling releases about 15 million gallons and natural seepage contributes approximately 62 million gallons.
Solutions
There are different ways to remove oil from water, from oil recovery ships to bioremediation. The former collect oil-polluted seawater, separate it from the oil, then release the clean water back into the ocean, such as the Bottsand class ships of the German Navy. Bioremediation involves breaking down hydrocarbon and organic waste products through using enzymes, then using bacteria to eat the resulting simple molecules.
Another solution is the use of oil skimmers, which are machines that separate liquid from the oil particles floating on top. Steel belt oil skimmers remove oil from water without the use of detergents or toxic chemicals, and is constructed out of stainless steel to prolong durability. It can be used for aviation fuel, white spirits, fish oil, engine oil and other heavy oils and crudes.
Oil Removal
Oil spills are one of the most well-known forms of pollution, where oil is released into the ocean accidentally by oil tankers. Most oil pollution actually comes from land-based activity, but tanker spills are more publicised and therefore more regulated. An oil skimmer is one way of remediating oil spills, however there are many other methods such as bioremediation (use of microorganisms to break down oil), oleophilic methods which chemically and physically bonds to the oil, controlled burning, dispersants or dreging.
Oil spills are a major concern because of their environmental effects. It affects birds who land on the oil by impairing flight ability (reducing ability to forage), insulating ability, damage of the kidneys, liver and digestive tract when ingested through preening…eventually these effects eventually will lead to the bird’s death. It also affects marine mammals and flora, affecting the whole food chain in the ecosystem.
Oil Skimmers
An oil skimmer is a machine that separates liquid from oil particles floating on top of it. They are usually used in industrial applications, but can also be used to clean up oil spills. There are three main types of oil skimmers: weir skimmers, drum skimmers and oleophilic skimmers. The first is a small overflow-type dam, which works by allowing the oil to flow over the weir leaving the water behind. The second uses a rotating drum to which the oil adheres, is then wiped off and collected. The last uses ropes, discs or drums treated with a substance which will attract the oil to adhere to its surfaces.
Process Systems Services Pty Ltd offers a steel belt oil skimmer to remove the oil contaminating water. It is fully mechanical so there are no detergents or toxic chemicals, designed according to a simple concept to increase reliability, constructed out of stainless steel to prolong durability, and approved by the Water Board and E.P.A. It can be used for aviation fuel (kerosene), white spirits, fish oil (and other light oils), engine oil (fuel oil), heavy oils and crudes.