Used Motor Oil 1

[cfkrl]

I was wondering if anyone has any experience using, used motor oil as fuel for their diesel engines. I have heard of a couple of people with dual tank set ups where the motor oil is heated to 160 degrees F via collant lines, then introduced as fuel to the engine via a valve which shuts off the petro diesel at the same time. If this could work it would seem to be a neat way to power a vehicle as used oil is very plentiful. I have seen systems that blend old oil at 10% to diesel fuel, but nothing that runs 100% without heating.

 

[TheBlacksmith]

Since one of the functions of motor oil is to collect harmful substances for removal from the engine during an oil change (the "detergents" are actually compounds that help keep acids and soot in suspension so they are removed with the oil and not deposited inside the engine), used oil has a lot of trash in it. This is probably the reason for blending it 10% with fuel, to dilute and limit the amount of contaminants. In the long run, wear on the fuel injection components may negate your fuel savings. That being said, I do dump my persoanl used oil, about 10-12 gallons per year into my home heating oil tank, about 150 gallons per year, which keeps me below the 10% number. While not getting rich, I see no sense in giving away even a few gallons to a reprocessor who will sell it.

Blacksmith

 

[btrueblood]

A secondary issue regarding used oil is the probability that it will have quite of bit of lead and other bearing alloys (heavy metals) floating around in it. Once burned, the lead oxide becomes a toxic airborne pollutant. Some local shops used to burn waste oil for heating, but were stopped by the state EPA.

 

[SomeYahoo]

Some folks in the military have looked into this. Take a peek at this link:

http://www.stormingmedia.us/45/4579/A457943.html

I haven't read the full article, but the abstract tells me enough that I wouldn't do it in my personal vehicle. This is JP-8 as opposed to diesel; I don't know if the effects would change with diesel or not.

 

[NormPeterson]

Interesting, btrueblood.

My most recent copy of Techshop has an article promoting the use of waste oil heaters. Part of the reasoning went along the line that shops are responsible for the used oil's ultimate disposal, whether that results in processing or burning. Some responsibility apparently remains with the shop even if an outside environmental services company is contracted to handle it for them. Burning it onsite does at least ensure that it won't get improperly dumped someplace.

But in addition to the concerns that you mentioned, other practical matters of filtration, sludge build-up in the collection tank, burners getting somewhat cranky with age and/or occasional contamination with coolant, and the necessity of having the stuff carted away when shop heat is not required weren't addressed.

Norm