Study of the Regeneration Cleaning of Used Mineral Oils – Ecotoxicological Properties and Biodegradation

Abstract

The aim of the study was to establish and compare the model of the biodegradability and ecotoxicological properties of oil samples in aqueous environment.The unused new mineral oil Turbinol and used (after 1 year of usage) recovered oil Turbinol purified by the electrostatical method were the tested samples. For the determination of the ecotoxicological properties, the test organisms used were seeds of Sinapis alba L. and the small aquatic crustaceans Daphnia magna. Preliminary tests were positive and determined the acute toxicity with the values of IC 50 and EC 50 . Biodegradability was determined by the manometric method, in tests which lasted 28 days. Tests of toxicity were positive, and the samples were found to be hard to biodegrade. Determination of the oil composition by gas chromatography with mass detection (GC -MS); found that the composition of the electrostatically cleaned oil is comparable to the new oil, which is confirmed by the results obtained with the response inhibition in selected tests. Regeneration extends the oil life, reducing the cost of disposal of waste oils, saving fossil raw materials, thus belonging to the environmentally friendly techniques.

Regeneration of waste hydraulic oils as a recycling method in relation to the environment

“…The current state of scientific research and technology enables the reutilization of used oils after their regeneration. This practice not only aligns with environmental protection (Hybská et al 2017) but also supports the conservation of the raw materials utilized in production and proves economically advantageous in terms of cost savings.…”

“…Electrostatic cleaning equipment is widely applicable in many sectors, including manufacturing, mining, industry and for various types of oils (petroleum and white oils, biodegradable oils, polyalphaolefins (PAO), diesterbased oils) and polyesters, as well as for glycol oils and liquids based on esters of phosphoric acid (www.hirecofluid.sk 2020; Internal company document KLEENTEK s.r.o. 2022; Hybská et al 2017).…”