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Waste to Energy is the process through which Energy is generated in the form of heat or electricity. The energy is obtained from the conversion of waste materials in processes like pyrolysis, and gasification, among others. Companies like MoreGreen run successful waste to energy plants otherwise known as energy from waste plants from the year 2015. MoreGreen operates a number of facilities including a tire and a plastic pyrolysis facility, waste oil distillation, tire shredder, and gasification among others. In this article, we look at the functioning of a waste oil distillation type of plant.
How a waste oil distillation plant works
A waste oil distillation processing plant is a facility where waste oil is converted into higher-value gasoline or diesel or base oil through the process of catalytic pyrolysis.
Transforming waste oil into diesel
The first step is the introduction of crude oil into the waste distillation machine under normal pressures and vacuum pressure conditions. The waste oil is pumped into the device through a reactor. The crude oil is then heated in certain temperatures causing it to evaporate.
The gas that is produced is then passed through a purification chamber or a distillation tower where it is purified before being passed through a condenser where it is liquified into light fuel oil. The light fuel oil is then passed in deep purifying chambers where the acidity and alkalinity are cleaned using individual devices and a unique pressure.
The final step is passing the product through a filtering system until diesel is produced.
From waste oil into gasoline
The first step of the process of waste oil distillation is the distillation of the components of waste oil. In addition to distillation, different elements are pyrolyzed by the application of pressure and various temperatures to the distillation kettle. This can either be done in normal pressure conditions or in a vacuum pressure condition.
The next step involves pumping the waste oil, also known as crude oil, into the reactor where or is heated to the working temperature. Most of the oil is converted into a gas form, which is then purified in the distillation tower. At this point, gasoline is obtained. The residual oil is after that pumped out and can be used as heavy fuel oil.
Products of waste oil distillation
Following distillation and pyrolysis, the most common end products are gasoline, diesel, minimal amounts of base oil, residual oil, and asphalt. Each of these products is useful in different industries.
- Gasoline- is used in vehicles and as a solvent
- Diesel- is used in cars and diesel power plants
- Residual oil- is used in the metal forging industry
- Asphalt- is used in the construction industry in engineering projects
Bottom Line
For a waste oil distillation processing plant to be successful, it has to have an automatic feeding system, discharging system, distillation reactors, distillation towers, heating systems, condensers, safety valves, and dedusting systems. These are the defining features of a waste oil distillation plant. Waste oil distillation is a process that has been used in several countries across the globe as a waste to energy method.
