Grantee Research Project Results
A Low-Cost Environmentally Benign Waste Lubricant Recycling/Re-refining Technology
EPA Contract Number: 68D70054Title: 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: II
Project Period: September 1, 1997 through September 1, 1999
Project Amount: $225,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase II (1997) Recipients Lists
Research Category: Hazardous Waste/Remediation , SBIR - Waste , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
Each year, more than 4 billion gallons of spent lubricants are generated worldwide. Although they 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. The disadvantages of conventional re-refining technologies combine to simply render these technologies 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 United States, but 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. During Phase I, M&P achieved its primary objectives by dramatically improving the overall operating cost and demonstrating the economic viability of the process. In parallel with the Phase I activity, M&P has designed, constructed, and installed a field demonstration unit. The successful completion of the Phase II project will verify the technical and economic viability of the improved LubriClear process at a field demonstration unit for an extended period, which is essential for future commercialization.Supplemental Keywords:
small business, SBIR, recycling, pollution prevention, hazardous waste, engineering, chemistry., Sustainable Industry/Business, RFA, Scientific Discipline, Waste, Hazardous, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Chemical Engineering, Engineering, Chemistry, Sustainable Environment, Environmental Chemistry, Chemistry and Materials Science, Hazardous Waste, cleaner production/pollution prevention, Environmental Engineering, waste recovery, recycling, rerefining lubricants, environmentally benign waste lubricant, lubricant recycling, recycled lubricants, recovery, waste recycling, lubricant recycling , spent lubricants, spent lubricantsProgress and Final Reports:
SBIR Phase I:
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.