Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Sciences: Research Areas

Abstract:
This paper examined the thermo-physical properties of Nigerian used engine oil (SAE10, 40 and 50). Some of the properties determined include kinematic viscosity, kinematic viscosity index, calorific value, flash point, pour point, and hydrogen content. Samples of the oil were taken from the sumps of three different engines. Two spark ignition engines and one compression ignition engine after service covering 1000, 1126, 1500, 2000, 2500 and 3000 kilometers respectively were used to extract samples at these respective distances. The results obtained indicate the deterioration of the samples as the oil ages for almost all the samples tested. Kinematics viscosity for SAE 10 however, increases due to formation of oxidation products such as soot. The compression ratio for diesel engine is high likewise operating temperature is high compared with petrol engine, this result in the formation of the oxidation product in the engine. No pour point change was observed for SAE 50 oil samples. This is because SAE 50 is a high grade, high viscosity engine oil containing so many additives. The overall result reflects the contamination of engine oil samples with lower molecular weight contaminants. After determining these parameters a test rig was designed and constructed in which waste engine oil and mixture of waste engine oil and kerosene were tested for incineration or combustion. The results obtained shows that 14.3 percent of kerosene will be required for mixing with 85.7 percent of used engine oil in order for the mixture of the fuel to be incinerated or combusted. This is the optimum mixture ratio for the two fuels to get properly burned. It was also discovered that used engine oil can be burned alone via preheating. With this finding used engine oil can be combusted to get energy and reduced health risk associated with wild dumping of engine oil

Keywords: properties, used engine oil, Nigeria, contamination and combustion

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