Combustion properties of reclaimed used engine lubricating oil blended with salmon fish oil and woody pyrolysis oil

Abstract

Biofuels from animals and plants are being investigated as substitutes for petroleum fuel. In remote locations, fish and wood waste are recycled into biofuel and used engine lubricating oil (UELO) is recycled as fuel when re-refining is unavailable. This work focused on blending reclaimed UELO (R-UELO) with unrefined salmon oil from fishmeal process and pyrolysis oil from fast pyrolysis of woody biomass. Physical, chemical, and thermal properties were determined for nine mixtures of R-UELO, fish oil, and pyrolysis oil to screen blends for combustion. R-UELO/fish oil blends showed promising miscibility, viscosity, and heating values. R-UELO/pyrolysis oil blends showed poor miscibility, high water content, and low heating values. R-UELO, fish oil, and a 50% R-UELO/fish oil blend were combusted in a pilot-scale multi-fuel furnace and demonstrated straightforward ignition and combustion. Emissions were analyzed with GC-TCD. Implications of this study are optimistic for UELO generators in proximity to fish processing plants.