Residual oil removal from used automotive lubricant packages by gravitational drainage

ABSTRACT:

This work addresses the management of automotive lubricants packages after lubricant use, considering the difficulties of implementing reverse logistics system - compulsory practice by virtue of Law (Brazil, Law 12,305/2010) - and the poor effectiveness of the current methods for removing residual oil from packages, which is required before reprocessing plastic material in direct mechanical recycling. Experiments were conducted in order to determine the appropriate methodology for cleaning the lubricant bottles, evaluating the influence of temperature and package position in the gravitational drainage. This analytical procedure elicited a combination of variables and conditions capable of improving the removal of oily residue with less energy. The experimental optimization was performed using a central composite model with triplicate center point. The test results were statistically analyzed and showed that both parameters have significant influence on the separation process. The data indicated that the process is more effective when the drainage is performed above 35ºC and the packaging inclined at angles close to 70º relative to horizontal. Under these conditions, the oil removal is greater than 95% after 35 minutes of drainage.

Keywords:
motor oil container; reverse logistics, recycling; used HDPE containers; Law 12.305/10