Many factors contribute to environmental degradation. If not properly taken care of, used oil disposal can be one of the leading factors. Whether used on motors or to run machines, used oil is likely to be contaminated with impurities such as dirt and other chemicals. For the machine to continue operating as required, used oil needs to be replaced with fresh oil.
Improper disposal of used oil can result in untold pollution. What may seem like a simple oil change of your car might result in contamination of many gallons of water.
Reusing and Recycling Oil
Recycling oil can be likened to taking a shower. It’s a process that entails removing of the impurities from the oil so that it can be put into use time and again. Oil recycling companies use many different processes to ‘clean’ the oil before they can term it safe for re-use in other purposes.
You Should Recycle or Re-Use Oil
Recycling and reusing oil are the only harmless ways of disposing of used oil. These are proven ways that take care of our environment. Used oil is toxic and insoluble; this means it can cause continued pollution for a very long time.
Once recycled, used oil can be re-used as new oil, processed further into fuel oils or used as a raw material for other processes in the petroleum industry.
4 Reasons Why You Should Recycle or Re-Use
As already mentioned, used oil does not degrade. This means that if spilt into the environment, the oil will not disintegrate no matter how long it is left. It will just continue causing water and soil pollution.
Being put into use does not mean that oils have come to the end of their life. Oil does not become worn, they just get contaminated with impurities and recycling them for re-use amounts to saving a highly-valued resource.
Re-refining oil consumes lesser energy compared to refining virgin oil from crude oil.
Used motor oil is a raw material for producing other oil products such as lubricants. In cases where the used oil has metallic components, this too can be used as scrap feed by steel producers.
How to Dispose off Oils Properly To Avoid Pollution and Contamination
Be part of the environmental conservation team by making sure your used oil does not cause adverse effects to the environment. The best way to do this is by working with professionaloil recycling companies. Normally, such companies specialize in proper oil disposal per the set guidelines and regulations.
Major Processes Used For Oil Recycling
Oil can be re-refined by pouring it into a petroleum refinery. In this process, the oil is normally fed through the front end to produce a final product known as gasoline. Gasoline is a high energy fuel normally used in combustion engines.
Refining again. In re-refining, contaminants such as water and dirt are first removed through dewatering and distillation. It’s also taken through hydro-treatment to remove any remaining contaminants. This is the most preferred way of ensuring oil is re-used for a long time. It cleans the oil making it as good as new.
Processing and burning. Here, the used oil is first taken through filtration to remove impurities like water. It is then subjected to heating and this produces power which can be used to run industrial operations.
In A Nutshell
Cleaned or recycled oil is just as good as virgin oil. Embracing this move not only helps cut down on environmental degradation, but it also helps save on this valuable resource. All this add up to immeasurable economic benefits.
This has been a discussion for long enough, it’s time to make the move. Let’s make oil recycling our habitual way of disposing of our used oil. Fortunately, some professionals are more than ready to offer a helping hand when you need one. So, how are you disposing of your used oil?