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| Overview: | Refining of waste oils allows the
materials to be reused in similar applications to those for which they were originally
produced (e.g., reused as motor oil). As such, refining of waste oil represents a higher
level of recycling than methods to recover the energy value of the waste petroleum.
Currently, the EPA has identified four facilities that solely refine used oil.
Under this method, the waste oil generator contracts with an oil refiner or intermediate broker for disposal of waste oil. The broker/refiner will not normally accept less than full tanker truckloads of waste petroleum, oils, and lubricants (POL); therefore, on-site storage and accumulation will be necessary until sufficient quantities are generated. One advantage to this method is that all POLs can normally be combined into a single tank, including engine oils, hydraulic fluids, gear lubricants, transmission oil. According to the Dallas Air Force Regional Environmental Office, prior to entering into a contract for re-refining of used oil, generators should review available records maintained by the appropriate regulatory agency pertaining to the compliance history of the used oil processor/re-refiner. In addition, regulatory guidance regarding proper labeling and storage requirements should be considered. Used oil may only be stored in tanks, containers, or units subject to regulation under 40 CFR 264 and 265. Also, containers must be in good condition, not leaking, and labeled with the words "Used Oil." Used oil is defined under 40 CFR 279.1 as "any oil that has been refined from crude oil, or any synthetic oil that has been used and as a result of such use is contaminated by physical and chemical impurities." |
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| Compliance Benefit: | Recycling of used oil (i.e., off-site
refining) may allow the used oil to fall under the less stringent regulations of 40
CFR 279 as opposed to the hazardous waste regulations in 40 CFR 260 through 268.
In addition, under 40 CFR 261.5 generators that recycle their used oil and manage
it under 40 CFR 279 do not have to count the used oil into their monthly totals of
hazardous waste generated. The decrease in the quantity of hazardous waste generated
monthly may help a facility reduce their generator status and lessen their amount of
regulatory burden (e.g., recordkeeping, reporting, inspections, transportation, accumulation
time, emergency prevention and preparedness, emergency response) they are required to
comply with under RCRA, 40 CFR 262. Off-site refining also helps facilities meet
the requirements of waste reduction under RCRA, 40 CFR 262; the Pollution Prevention
Act (42 USC 13101-13109); and Executive Order (EO) 13148, Greening the Government
Through Leadership in Environmental Management. Off-site refining of used oil generally
requires a facility to store large quantities of used oil on site. A Spill, Prevention,
Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan is required to be developed and implemented under
40 CFR 112 for facilities that store certain amounts of oil on site.
EPA presumes that all used oils are recyclable and, therefore, must be managed in accordance with 40 CFR Part 279. If the used oil is to be disposed on-site or sent off-site for disposal, the generator must then, as with any other solid waste, determine if the used oil exhibits any hazardous characteristic. If the used oil to be disposed is determined to be a characteristically hazardous waste, it then must be managed in accordance with applicable requirements of 40 CFR Parts 260 through 266, 268, and 270. If the used oil to be disposed is determined to be a non-hazardous waste, it then would be managed in accordance with applicable requirements of 40 CFR 257 and 258. The compliance benefits listed here are only meant to be used as general guidelines and are not meant to be strictly interpreted. Actual compliance benefits will vary depending on the factors involved, e.g., the amount of workload involved. |
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| Materials Compatibility: | Generators must ensure only used oil is placed in the used oil tank. Coordination with the re-refining contractor regarding their analysis plan is suggested to address the rebuttable presumption (40 CFR 279.10(b)(1)(ii)) and on specification requirements (40 CFR 279.11). |
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| Safety and Health: | Care must be taken when handling hot waste oils.
Proper personal protective equipment is recommended. Special safety precautions should be exercised
when handling synthetic oils containing tricresyl phosphate, which is toxic by ingestion and skin absorption.
Consult your local industrial health specialist, your local health and safety personnel, and the appropriate MSDS prior to implementing this technology. |
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| Benefits: |
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| Disadvantages: |
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| Economic Analysis: | Safety Kleen reports that they will accept truck load quantities of waste oil charging $0.11 to $0.15 per gallon at the generator's site. The Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office at Imperial Beach, CA will dispose of used oil at a cost of $0.84 per gallon.
Assumptions:
Table 1. Annual Cost Comparison for Refining or Disposal of Used Oil.
Economic Analysis Summary:
Click Here to view an Active Spreadsheet for this Economic Analysis and Enter Your Own Values. To return from the Active Spreadsheet, click the Back arrow on the Tool Bar. |
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| NSN/MSDS: | None
identified. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Approving Authority: | Appropriate authority for making process
changes should always be sought and obtained prior to procuring or implementing any of the
technologies identified herein. |
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| Points of Contact: | For more information |
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| Vendors: |
This is not meant to be a complete list, as there may be
other suppliers of this type of equipment. Safety Kleen Corp. 777-T Big Timber Rd. Elgin, IL 60123 Phone: (800) 669-5740 |
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| Related Links: |
None |
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| Sources: | Mr. Ronald Jahns, Air Force Regional Environmental Office, Dallas, December 1999. Mr. Dale Fox, Air Force Regional Environmental Office, San Francisco, November 1999. |