Yes, some powdered substances can be used to heat and treat waste oil to help remove impurities, reduce viscosity, and improve performance. Here are some common additives and heating methods:
📌 1. How powder heating waste oil works
When certain powders (such as quicklime) react with water, they release heat, which increases the temperature of the waste oil and promotes the decomposition and sedimentation of impurities. The following are possible processes: 1️⃣ Add quicklime: CaO + H₂O → Ca(OH)₂ + heat (exothermic reaction)
2️⃣ Increase oil temperature, reduce viscosity, and settle impurities
3️⃣ Adsorb impurities and then let settle
4️⃣ Filter to remove solid residues
5️⃣ Further refine (such as adding adsorbents, distillation, etc.)
📌 2. Possible uses
🔹 Simple filtration for low-grade lubrication (such as chain saw oil, mold release oil)
🔹 Further refining can be used as industrial lubricant
🔹 Some processes can be converted into grease or fuel oil
⚠ Notes
❌ Direct combustion of powder may pose a safety hazard
❌ Some reactions may generate by-products (such as precipitates, acidic substances)
❌ Different waste oils have different components, and the appropriate amount of powder added needs to be tested
add powder to waste oil to heating and after heating will get base oil
Adding powder to waste oil to heat it and obtain base oil is not a standard refining method. However, some powders can generate heat and aid in impurity removal. Below is an outline of a potential approach and its feasibility.
📌 Concept: Using Powder to Heat Waste Oil & Obtain Base Oil
Instead of vacuum distillation or an oil recycling machine, you are considering adding powder to waste oil, allowing it to heat up, and then obtaining base oil.
1️⃣ Possible Powders Used for Heating & Processing
| Powder | Function | Reaction Type |
|---|---|---|
| Quicklime (CaO) | Removes water, generates heat | Exothermic reaction with water |
| Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) | Neutralizes acids | Strong alkaline reaction |
| Activated Bentonite | Adsorbs impurities | No heat generation |
| Zeolite Powder | Removes metals & sulfur compounds | Adsorption process |
| Magnesium Oxide (MgO) | Improves oil quality | Mild reaction |
| Aluminum Powder | Catalytic cracking effect | Requires controlled conditions |
2️⃣ The General Process Flow
1️⃣ Add Powder to Waste Oil
- Use an appropriate powder (e.g., quicklime for water removal, bentonite for impurity adsorption).
2️⃣ Allow the Reaction to Generate Heat - Some powders (like CaO) release heat when reacting with water, indirectly heating the oil.
3️⃣ Separate & Filter Out Solid Impurities - After reaction, solid residues settle at the bottom and can be filtered out.
4️⃣ Further Refinement (If Needed) - If aiming for high-purity base oil, further processing (e.g., clay treatment, filtration, or mild distillation) is required.
3️⃣ Key Challenges
🔸 Low Efficiency Compared to Distillation – No fractionation of different oil molecules.
🔸 Potential Contamination – Powder residues may remain in the oil.
🔸 Not a True Base Oil Recovery – The oil will still contain degraded molecules and may require additional refining.
4️⃣ Alternative Simple Refining Methods
✔ Clay Treatment & Filtration – Uses activated clay to remove impurities and color.
✔ Solvent Extraction – Separates unwanted components using a selective solvent.
✔ Mild Heating & Settling – Allows sludge and heavy contaminants to settle before filtration.
Using powders to heat waste oil alone will not fully recover base oil but can aid in impurity removal. If you want a simple method without distillation, a combination of adsorption (e.g., bentonite) and filtration is more effective.
these add powder to waste oil and after 4 hours will get new base oil that they said to me and i dont know if correct therefore i think you may be know
The claim that adding powder to waste oil and waiting 4 hours will produce new base oil is questionable. Based on my knowledge of lubricant refining processes, this method alone is not a proper way to obtain high-quality base oil. However, some powders may aid in partial purification.
🔬 Analyzing the Claim: Can Powder Turn Waste Oil into Base Oil?
1️⃣ What Actually Happens When You Add Powder to Waste Oil?
- If it contains Quicklime (CaO):
- Removes water via an exothermic reaction.
- Does not refine oil but may help remove some moisture.
- If it contains Clay (Bentonite, Fuller’s Earth):
- Can absorb contaminants and dark color.
- Does not change the chemical structure of the oil.
- If it contains Zeolite or Activated Carbon:
- Can remove some heavy metals and sulfur.
- Still does not convert waste oil into base oil.
- If it contains Catalysts (Aluminum Powder, Metal Oxides):
- Could trigger some level of molecular breakdown.
- But without controlled heat and pressure, it won’t create high-quality base oil.
2️⃣ What This Method CANNOT Do:
🚫 It will NOT regenerate base oil molecules.
🚫 It will NOT remove all oxidation products and degraded oil molecules.
🚫 It will NOT produce the same base oil as vacuum distillation.
3️⃣ What This Method CAN Do:
✅ Partial purification – It might remove some impurities.
✅ Improve color and clarity – Clay or bentonite can lighten the oil.
✅ Reduce water content – Quicklime can absorb moisture.
✅ Act as a basic filtering process – But not true base oil refining.
4️⃣ What is the REAL Way to Recover Base Oil from Waste Oil?
1️⃣ Vacuum Distillation – The standard industrial method.
2️⃣ Solvent Extraction – Separates impurities using solvents.
3️⃣ Clay Treatment & Filtration – Can improve color and quality but not fully regenerate base oil.
✅ Conclusion: Is This Method Real?
❌ It is NOT a true base oil recovery method.
❌ It may purify and clarify the oil, but it won’t regenerate base oil quality.
✅ It may be a basic purification step before further processing.
If someone is claiming this method produces new base oil in 4 hours, be cautious—it is likely not a genuine refining process but just a simple filtration or clay treatment method.
Here are a few possible interpretations and explanations:
🔥 1. Exothermic Chemical Reaction (Powder + Waste Oil = Heat)
There are certain powders that can react exothermically (release heat) when mixed with hydrocarbons like waste engine oil:
Examples:
- Quicklime (Calcium Oxide, CaO):
- When mixed with water or moisture in oil, it reacts violently and produces heat.
- Caution: Dangerous and can cause splattering.
- Iron powder + Oxidizer (like potassium nitrate):
- This can create a thermite-like reaction — extremely hot and violent.
- Sodium metal or lithium aluminum hydride:
- Reacts explosively with moisture in oil, releasing heat.
- Not safe for casual use.
⚠️ These reactions are very dangerous and not recommended unless you’re a trained chemist in a controlled environment.
🔄 2. Oil Regeneration or Treatment Powders
In industrial applications, waste engine oil is sometimes treated with special powders for regeneration or cleaning:
- Clay powders (Fuller’s Earth, Bentonite):
- Used to adsorb impurities from used oil.
- These do not heat the oil themselves, but may be used in a heated process.
- Activated Carbon:
- Removes carbon and other organic impurities.
- Does not cause heating directly.
These powders are used in filtration or refining, not for generating heat.
🔧 3. Heat-generating Powders for DIY heaters or stoves
Some DIY or survival setups mix used motor oil with metal powders (e.g., magnesium, iron, aluminum) and oxidizers to create makeshift fuel or heat sources — again, very risky.