25 TPD Waste Oil to Base Oil Refining Plant Operating in South Africa

Writer： Kaiqian Oil Purifier Release time：2025-06-10 17:45 Clicks：

25 TPD Waste Oil to Base Oil Refining Plant Operating in South Africa

A 25 tons per day (TPD) waste oil to base oil refining plant has been fully operational at an industrial recycling facility in South Africa since late 2024. Designed to meet the growing demand for high-quality lubricant base oils from recovered waste oils, the installation represents a significant step toward sustainable oil regeneration in the region.

The plant utilizes a high-temperature vacuum distillation system combined with molecular demisting and advanced refining technology. The core process involves thermal cracking of used lubricants under vacuum, followed by a multi-stage fractionation system to separate light hydrocarbons, diesel fractions, and high-grade base oils. The final product includes SN150–SN350 grade base oils, depending on feedstock characteristics and process conditions.

The system is equipped with a continuous heating furnace using indirect thermal conduction to ensure uniform temperature distribution. A vacuum level of -0.09 MPa is maintained during distillation to reduce thermal decomposition and enhance oil stability. A refining module consisting of clay filtration, white clay polishing, and deep-color remediation guarantees the final base oil meets industrial standards for viscosity, oxidation stability, and color index.

Each batch is capable of processing approximately 25,000 liters of used oil, primarily consisting of waste motor oil, hydraulic oil, and gear oil collected from local workshops and transport fleets. The overall base oil recovery rate exceeds 80%, with the remaining residues directed to asphaltene applications or solid fuel blending.

The facility operates with full environmental compliance, supported by an integrated exhaust treatment system featuring catalytic oxidation and acid-gas neutralization. Water consumption is minimized through closed-loop cooling, and all emissions are controlled to meet local regulatory limits.

Since commissioning, the plant has demonstrated consistent productivity, low energy consumption, and high-quality output. Its modular layout and automated control interface have simplified daily operations and reduced reliance on specialized personnel, making it well-suited for long-term application in decentralized waste oil recycling initiatives.