Used-Oil Re-Refining Plant Kuwait

THE CHALLENGE

The client required a 50 TPD used-oil re-refining plant in Kuwait to produce Group I re-refined base oils from locally collected automotive and industrial used lubricating oils, with consistent product quality and reliable continuous operation.

OUR SOLUTION

Balaji Consultants developed the process route based on detailed feedstock characterisation conducted during the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) stage. The selected configuration continuous dehydration, high-vacuum Wiped-Film Evaporation (WFE) and solvent extraction was matched to the feedstock characteristics and target Group I product quality.

PROCESS CONFIGURATION

In the front-end section, water and light hydrocarbon fractions are removed from the incoming used oil under continuous operating conditions. The dehydrated oil feeds the high-vacuum wiped-film evaporators, where recoverable lubricating-oil fractions are separated from heavy residues, carbonaceous matter and other high-boiling contaminants. The WFE distillate is then treated through solvent extraction, which removes aromatic compounds, oxidation products and colour bodies improving the colour, odour, oxidation stability and overall quality of the final base oil.

PROJECT OUTCOME

• Plant commissioned and in continuous commercial operation at rated processing capacity
• Group I re-refined base oils in continuous production
• Rated capacity achieved without major changes to the original process or equipment design

SCOPE OF WORK

• Process technology development & Front-End Engineering Design (FEED)
• Heat & material balance and process calculations
• Multidiscipline detailed engineering process, mechanical, piping, civil, structural, electrical & instrumentation
• Equipment design, procurement, fabrication supervision & supply
• Site integration, installation & construction support
• Commissioning, performance testing & operator training

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