Introduction

1.1 Background
Lubricating oils or lube oil, as they are commonly called, are viscous liquids used

to lubricate moving parts of machineries. Lube oils are mainly a blend of base oil

and a number of chemical additives, giving products that last longer and allow the

machinery to work better under severe operating conditions. Lube oils are used to

protect rubbing surfaces from friction, wear and excessive heating. They also

provide a protective layer on metal surfaces to prevent corrosion in addition to

providing a tight sealing of spaces and engine cleanliness.

During usage the performance of lube oil deteriorates over time. This is due to the

contamination of the lube oil with various foreign matters and the degradation of

the additives as a result of many physical and chemical interactions (Dennis,

2010). However, after about 5,000 kilometers of engine use, the oil can no longer

provide desired functions expected of it. Hence, it is discarded as used engine oil

or waste engine oil.

Used engine oil is known to have adverse impacts on both human health and

environment if not managed properly. The presence of degraded additives,

contaminants and by-products of degradation render waste oils more toxic and

harmful to human health and the environment than virgin base oils (Irwin 1978)

The used oil from one oil change can contaminate 1 million gallons of fresh

water—a years’ supply for 50 people (US EPA, Used Oil Management Program).

For mammals and birds, harmful impacts include toxic contamination, destruction

of food resources and habitats and impaired reproductive capability. Report has

shown that used oils contain more metals and heavy polycyclic aromatic

hydrocarbons (PAHs) that contribute to chronic hazards including carcinogenicity

as compared with the fresh oil. Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd) are pollutants

associated with high blood levels in Children, anthralgia, colic and other human

health effects (Zhang et al 2012).

The main sources of used oils in Nigeria was categorized as; transportation,

industry and private electricity generation (Bamiro & Osibanjo, 2004). In Nigeria

the estimated used crankcase oil was 150 million liters per annum and industry-

based used oil was estimated at 50 million liters, leading to a total national oil

generating capacity of 200 million liters per annum (Bamiro & Osibanjo, 2004).

With this figure, efficient technology options for handling, treating and disposing

used oil in Nigeria becomes an issue of concern.

In Nigeria there is little or no organized disposal practices (Bamiro & Osibanjo,

2004). Common disposal methods of used oil by auto technician and allied artesian

include disposal into gutters, and indiscriminate dumping on land and waterways.

Some generators store it in plastic containers like kegs, jerry cans and drums,

where they are left until use was found for them or they were eventually sold to

dealers or direct users. Uses include direct reuse as; lubricants in old and worn

engines, weed killer to control weeds, dust control, wood preservation, rust

prevention, road construction, etc. Another means of disposal is open burning in

furnaces to generate heat for boilers, cement kilns, bakery oven, etc. These

primitive methods give rise to toxic air emissions that exacerbate air pollution

problems.

Used engine oil re-refining is a process that uses conventional refining steps to

recover new oil from the used oil by removing water, dirt, heavy metal, and

chemical impurities. In re-refining, the used oil is subjected to a complete physical

and chemical treatment aimed at recovering the properties of the base oil. In

Nigeria, there has been several studies on the need for used engine oil re-refining,

and significant efforts have been made by both the public and private sector in

setting up an organized re-refining plant. Key to the success of any re-refining

project is the technological backup of the processes. Hence, the need for reliable
information on the various technology options for the re-refining of used engine oil

becomes necessary.