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أوابك العلمية لعام
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ص لبحوث العلمية الفائزة بجائزة
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عدد خا
مجلة النفط والتعاون العربي
161
العدد
- 2017
أربعون
المجلد الثالث و ال
Re-refining of Used Lubricating Oil and its Economic and Environmental Implications
33
4.11 Vaxon process
Vaxon technology also known as VCFE (Vacuum Cyclon Flash Evaporator) was
developed in Denmark. The advantage of this process is the special vacuum distillation
unit detailed below where the cracking of oil is highly decreased.
4.11.1
Process description
The basic steps of this process are as follows:
Fractionated vacuum distillation:
In this initial stage, water, light hydrocarbons, metal compounds and other bituminous
elements are separated out. This stage takes place in four modules under different
temperature and vacuum conditions, and base oils that are suitable for the following
treatments are obtained in the last two modules.
Chemical treatment:
In this step, the base oils from the previous stage are treated with potassium hydroxide,
using temperature control and cleaner oil is obtained. Drying of the oil occurs during
this stage. The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are separated by solvent refining with
polar solvents (dimethyl-formamide, n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, etc.).
Vacuum distillation:
In this final stage, vacuum distillation is performed to obtain a product that is
appropriate for the needs and conditions of the market.
4.11.2
Process features and drawbacks
This technology enables base oils to be obtained that are suitable for the manufacturing
of new engine oils and industrial lubricants. It is claimed that these are high quality oils
that have been approved according to the strictest regulations that exist at the present
time. In environmental terms, this is a clean technology because the waste that is
generated in the process is re-circulated in the same process.
Figure 18 shows the Vaxon Process simplified Block Flow Diagram.