Used Engine Oil

The answer depends on several factors.

What makes oil useful as a lubricant is the structure of the oil molecules. Oil molecules are long and slippery. Heat and pressure destroys that structure over time, leading to a loss of viscosity, and hence lubrication efficiency.

If the oil hasn't been used much, and was discarded because it was dirty, then you may be able to filter out the impurities and get some more use out of the clean oil as a lubricant.

But if the oil viscosity is gone, or nearly gone, or the cost of filtering the dirty oil exceeds the cost of new oil, then there are other uses to which the old oil may be put. One is making asphalt for making new roads or repairing old ones.

Here's a site for more imaginative uses:

http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=43575

My suggestion to productively use engine oil is to find a different but productive use for it.

If you live in a cold climate, it is possible to control and burn this oil to heat a home or work shop.

I have seen waste oil used as dust control on gravel roads. The oil mixed with the gravel is the basis for asphalt.

Next, it makes a fairly good water proofing if boiled down to tar. Paint it on fence posts or other timbers that come in contact with the ground.

It could be used for Bio Diesel, if separated correctly.

I've listed simple uses that require little additional energy to extend the life of the oil. Hope this helps.

Yes, it is possible. Has been done for years. Many auto/fleet operations have used reprocessed motor oil for in the past. Main issue is to ensure that the base oil is not damaged. Usually, normal usage in a vehicle will result in oil that can be reprocessed. Standard refinery operations could be used to re-manufacture motor oil, with appropriate modifications.

Main problem is economic: virtually no one will buy this product to use as motor oil. It could be manufactured just as well, but (I know this has been required in the past, it may or may not be now, I am not sure) having to label the product "re-processed" motor oil effectively kills the market. Alternative uses (for example, as heating oil) are probably more acceptable nowdays.

hi I found an article I think it was on farmers inventions or something , but it said that if filtered several times and mixed with diesel fuel it can be used as fuel for diesel motors. I think it was 4 or 5 oil to 1 diesel. but I don't know , I don't have any diesel motor.

It can be re-processed for use as a heating fuel.

Well in the old days when I was a boy, we would drain motor oil out into a closed container-6 months later the top 95% was clear- carefully decant- reused as engine oil- no worries.

I have also heard of this being done. My question is does this work with the new synthetic oils??

In my town the town garage collects waste motor oil at the reclaimatino center and burns it all winter. Unless it is real cold they never have to buy fuel. They did however have to buy some extra tanks to hold the oil over the summer months.

As for converting used motor oil into biodiesel that is impossible. Perhaps it cna be combined but is is not a source.

Happy recycling

Bob

Put it in your gas tank and burn as you would gasoline or an additive. Use as heating fuel in the garage in the winter. Use it as a fire starter. Used oil is highly flammable and has many different uses.

"Put it in your gas tank and burn as you would gasoline or an additive."

Absolutely NOT. Modern vehicles with fuel injection and on-board computer control CANNOT burn used engine oil; it presents a major possibility of engine and related component damage.

The systems are designed for gasoline or specified blends (i.e., E85 fuel). Adding a completely inconsistent fluid, such as used oil is asking for trouble. Used motor oils will have widely varying contamination such as heavy metals, water, damaged hydrocarbon molecular chains, degraded detergent packages, sludge, etc. Excellent chance of plugging up filters, injectors, etc.

thanks to all who initially provided their responses.

my main concern is how to recycle/renew motor engine used/waste oil i.e. to effectively remove dirt, particles, impurities, water, oxide, etc., - not the cost to reprocess it. I have watched documentary film that reprocessed used oil and it has many applications and it is more economical to use it than new oil. One of them, it is being used as fuel in the recycling of scrap aluminum and copper. asphalt is the final product after the used oil is reprocessed and it is also highly reusable. in the Middle East, it is now common to apply asphalt on building foundations that is in contact with the earth in order to protect the concrete and reinforced steel from corrosion.

I have read or heard about spinning the oil in a centrifuge to force the particualte to the bottom, leaving clean oil on the top. Obviously the longer the spin the greater the stratification of the oil components