11B.1 USED OIL

Used oil is a problem waste because its generation is ubiquitous and it can contain hazardous liquid wastes and other contaminants. When used lubricating oil qualifies as a hazardous waste, its disposal becomes complicated and costly. Even when properly handled, rerefined oil carries a misperception of low quality with respect to new lubricating oil and often must sell at a lower price than new oil.

The most recent survey of used oil (1988) and its ultimate disposition indicates that of the 1.351 billion gal of used oil (automotive and industrial) generated annually, 901 million gal were reused in some manner such as fuel, secondary industrial use, rerefined lube oil, or road oil (Temple, Barker & Sloane, Inc., 1989a; McHugh, 1991). Over 400 million gal were disposed of through dumping on the ground or in water, landfilling, or non-energy-recovery incineration. Though inappropriate, the legality of these disposal methods depends on the disposal path, the generator, the type of oil, and the specific state regulations.

Burning as a fuel and rerefining are the two major methods for recycling used oil. By volume, the waste oil fuel industry consumes 58 percent of available used oil while rerefining consumes only 2 percent. Used oil has an excellent heating value (13,000 to 19,000 Btu/lb) and can help meet the growing national energy demand. However, because of the constituents present in used oils, air emission controls may be necessary when burning. A better secondary...