Grantee Research Project Results
A Low-Cost Environmentally Benign Waste Lubricant Recycling/Re-refining Technology
EPA Contract Number: 68D60045Title: A Low-Cost Environmentally Benign Waste Lubricant Recycling/Re-refining Technology
Investigators: Liu, Paul K.T.
Small Business: Media and Process Technology Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: September 1, 1996 through March 1, 1997
Project Amount: $69,568
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (1996) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Hazardous Waste/Remediation , SBIR - Waste , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
Globally, over four billion gallons of spent lubricants are generated annually. Although spent lubricants can be considered a valuable renewable resource, less than 10% of the worldwide supply is actually re-refined into high quality lubricant basestocks. The remainder is typically burned as fuel or disposed of using even less environmentally friendly methods. Although stricter environmental regulation will continue to limit these disposal options, increasing the amount of re-refined lubricant beyond current worldwide levels will be difficult to achieve without incurring significant cost. The disadvantages of conventional re-refining technologies combine to simply render this technology useless outside of highly populated metropolitan areas where large quantities of spent lubricants are generated in a centralized location. Re-refining technology that can be employed on a small scale is required throughout most of the U.S. but up until now has simply been unavailable. In response to the inadequacies of conventional solutions, Media and Process Technology, Inc. (M&P), has developed the LubriClear Process, an innovative technology that combines several M&P proprietary technologies into a hybrid recycling/re-refining process to deliver high quality base oils from spent lubricants at low cost in an environmentally benign manner. All of the barriers associated with widespread application of conventional distillation based technology are overcome. In this Phase I effort, M&P propose to establish the long term viability of the process and investigate methods to improve finished lubricant yields.
Supplemental Keywords:
small business, SBIR, engineering, chemistry, hazardous waste., RFA, Scientific Discipline, Waste, Sustainable Industry/Business, Chemical Engineering, cleaner production/pollution prevention, Environmental Chemistry, Hazardous Waste, Hazardous, Engineering, Environmental Engineering, hazardous liquid waste, hazardous waste recycling, industrial waste, cleaner production, clean technology, lubricant recycling, hazardous chemicals, waste recoveryProgress and Final Reports:
SBIR Phase II:
A Low-Cost Environmentally Benign Waste Lubricant Recycling/Re-refining TechnologyThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.