BLF seminar on used oils

Citation

(2001), "BLF seminar on used oils", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 53 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/ilt.2001.01853eab.004

BLF seminar on used oils

BLF seminar on used oilsKeywords: Oils, BLF, Seminar

The British Lubricants Federation (BLF) recently held a conference to update UK lubricant producers and users on environmental and legislation developments.

Those attending were introduced to "Biowise" which is a UK government programme aimed at supporting the UK biotechnology industry. Case studies were presented illustrating the success major companies had achieved by utilising vegetable oil based lubricants. Typical advantages were the reduction in the number of formulations used, increased opportunities for recycling and significant savings on waste oil disposal and treatment.

Of course metal working fluid users, especially those using products with an aqueous phase, can benefit from biotechnology to dramatically change their effluent disposal problems. In the UK as in many other countries governmental pressure in the form of legislation and punitive tax measures are forcing more industrial concerns to significantly reduce the volume of waste material generated. Again examples of how biotechnology can be a powerful tool in meeting the new objectives were persuasively presented.

Further information on practical uses of biotechnology can be found at www.dti.gov.uk/biowise.

In the UK waste oil is converted to fuel oil and burnt by operators of large industrial type burners found for example in power stations. Those present were updated on the current controversy in Europe on whether this fuel oil should be considered as a product or as waste. This is a complex issue and has major implications on product taxation and disposal routes. Unfortunately at present the situation is unclear and so little or no investment is being made within the waste oil/recycling industry.

It is certain that major changes will occur over the next few years in Europe that are likely to encourage the recycling or regeneration of lubricating oils. Until the situation becomes clearer it seems that the best advice for users is that they should minimise waste oil generated.

It seems that lubricant producers will be involved in the stewardship of used oils and should be in a position to advise their customers on how best to minimise the waste oil problem.

This BLF seminar, although of course aimed at a UK and European audience, was a valuable contribution in helping to develop an understanding of the used lubricant problem. The problem will exist throughout the world. What is clear is that waste oil disposal is now an important "performance" characteristic that must be considered when new lubricant formulations are being developed.