A feasibility study of lubricating oil production from blending of spent lubricating oil and palm oil fractions / Alawi Hj Sulaiman and Rusmi Hj Alias

This primary objective of this project is to recycle the automotive engine spent lubricating oil for its original purpose. The idea of this technology is by dissolving the dehydrated spent lubricating oil with isopropanol and then the lubricating oil rich fraction is separated, clarified, recovered and treated with activated carbon and bleaching earth and newly founded mud before blending with palm oil fraction. Results obtained from various experiments revealed the feasibility of treatment of the automotive spent lubricating oil and blending it with a suitable palm oil ester. Basic physical properties such as flash point, cloud point and pour point of the treated lubricating oil was measured equivalence with the on-shelf lubricating oil and treated lubricating oil using other technbology. The viscosity index for this treated lubricating oil need to be improved as the spent lubricating oil input varies from one source to another. In contrary, the heavy metal and other inorganic contents such as zinc, manganese, magnesium, silica, phosporous and other in this treated oil were far better than the BETC method. By using this technology to treat the spent lubricating oil, it is not only helps to protect the enviroment but it father increases the added value of palm oil. In addition, this technology helps to preserve the petroleum resource, increse palm oil competitiveness in the world market.