Issue 161-M

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البحـث الأول
مجلة النفط والتعاون العربي
161 العدد - 2017 أربعونالمجلد الثالث و ال
2016 أوابك العلمية لعام� ص لبحوث العلمية الفائزة بجائزة� عدد خا
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This is why simple testing is conducted at the generation point by the collector to
see if the oil is collectable. Further testing at the storage tanks of the collector is
done to determine the mixing of collected oils from different sources in order to
normalize as much as possible the content before delivery to the larger depots
where additional testing is done to determine the fate of the used oil whether it
goes to re-refining, burning or destruction by incineration 104.
The decision is strictly made on analysis and Table (2) shows the characteristics
of used oil acceptable for re-refining and that destined for burning for energy
recovery in Europe.
To give an example, in Italy in 2009 the collected used oils in the final storage
depots were about 195 thousand tons where 154 thousand tons were destined for
re-refining, 40 thousand tons were committed to burning for energy recovery and
about 400 tons were incinerated104.
Environmental Impact:
There is no doubt that the production, storage, transportation, processing and
distribution of all hydrocarbons imply a degree of risk and environmental impact
that governments and the industry try to reduce to the minimum possible.
Lubricating oils are no different. “Use d oil is any oil that has been refined from
crude oil or any synthetic oil that has been used and as a result of such use is
contaminated by physical or chemical impurities 1,13”. Therefore, used oils do
carry greater risk to health and environment as a result of their degradation and
the need to change them.
The additives in lubricating oils that deteriorates gradually during use increase
the pollutants level in the oil. The deterioration is compounded by the fact that
dirt, metal scrapings from machines or engine parts, water, the polyaromatic
hydrocarbons (PAH) and chemicals can get into the oil and reduce its
performance and render it more toxic, carcinogenic and harmful to human health
and the environment than the original base oil4. This is especially true for
passenger cars and diesel vehicles oils as the level of additives in lubricating oils
has increased substantially, up to 30% sometimes, to improve performance1
quality and longevity in combustion engines application106. Even for mammals
and birds the toxic contamination can be devastating and specialized reports are
very clear about this4.