Chemical industry

“1 liter of oil pollutes 1,000 tons of groundwater.” Where are 30-40 thousand tons of used oil “dissolved”?

According to the most conservative estimates, annually about 30-40 thousand tons of used oil “dissolve” in unknown direction (in fact, the dirt remains in the environment). The enterprise that recycles used oil explains us how it should be arranged. 

Preface: 1 liter of oil pollutes 1,000 tons of groundwater

For clarity, experts show us a little experience: used oil is dripped into a flask with clean water (the liquid came from one garage cooperative and is very polluted). A distinctive film immediately forms on the surface. What if there are more drops? In the end, a thick layer of black substance completely clogs the water disrupting the natural balance. Nature can’t process this. 

“Oil does not dissolve in water and delamination of two fluids occurs,” DVCH-Management’s employees of the laboratory comment on the result. “The existence of microorganisms under such a film is endangered. Of course, over time they can adapt but for now..

— Transferring used oil for recycling is a civilized and the only correct way, — Dmitry Mogilevsky is convinced. — There are few organizations in Belarus that work in this industry. Our enterprise is almost the only one in the country that can carry out deep processing of motor, hydraulic, transformer oils in industrial volumes. For comparison: there are three organizations in Lithuania and seventy in Germany which recycle used oils.

First stage. Procurement station

Of course, you do not need to go to the Krupsky district to dispose motor oil. FLLC “DVCH-Management” works with garage cooperatives, industrial enterprises, transport companies. They are ready to come to the most remote points – just do not harm the environment.

One of the main links in the used oil collection system is the procurement points of the Minskcoopvtorresursy organization. Surely you have seen trailers that accept used batteries, scrap metal, cardboard… You can also hand over used oil there. To find the nearest one, just visit the website.

Having chosen a convenient location, we deliver cans with oil to one of the procurement points. Having chosen a convenient location, we deliver cans with oil to one of the procurement points. Dmitry Mogilevsky, who joinedus, is actively involved in the acceptance process:«First, you need to make sure that the canisters do contain oil. Procurers have the necessary tools including rapid tests which help to determine it quickly».

Weighing cans

Then the cans are weighed. This is required for further calculations. The handover of used oil for recycling is compensated – 15 kopecks per 1 kg (not a liter!). The amount is small, but that’s not the point.  

Now it’s necessary to empty canisters and pour suspicious liquid into a special barrel. The container is equipped with a pallet. This additional measure prevents the environmentally hazardous liquid from entering the soil (it qualifies as a substance of the third hazard class).

Then we again head to the scales to find out the tare weight. It comes out 1.2 kg. The simplest arithmetic calculation says that for 8 kg of used oil we will be paid 1 ruble 20 kopecks.

Weighing cans

Second stage. Delivery to the plant

When enough volume is accumulated, a special machine arrives at the procurement point — an oil truck with a pump, which will pump out the liquid and take it for disposal.

— There are several oil trucks in our fleet that run all over the country, go to every corner, —says Dmitry Mogilevsky. — These are real hard workers! On average, every day the car goes around thirty points. The total mileage of cars is a million kilometers or more.

Забор масла

Third stage. What does the laboratory say?

— We examine the samples, determine the dynamic and kinematic viscosity, water content, acid number, the presence of mechanical impurities, the flash point, — enumerates the head of the DVCH-Management laboratory Maria Statkevich. — Judging by the data obtained, the oil from garage cooperatives usually comes very contaminated, with a low acid number, that is, it has completely exhausted its resource.

Oil

This is a sample of used oil from a garage cooperative. Pay attention to the color!

Worse is that the used oil often contains antifreeze, rainwater. Not all garage cooperatives are responsible for waste collection.

— The used oil should be stored in an oil-resistant container (metal or plastic), — experts recommend. — There must be a pallet under the container. The lid is closed so that water, snow, dirt does not get there. Oil must not be mixed with antifreeze or brake fluid. Storage areas must be asphalted.

Unfortunately, the used oil often comes to the plant in a contaminated state, which requires additional time and resources for processing.

Fourth stage. Processing: there was oil — it became an export product

After the raw materials are ready and the laboratory has approved it, the recycling process begins. Surprisingly, there is no one in the workshop.

— The recycling process is automated, — Dmitry Mogilevsky explains. — The shift manager and several workers monitor and control the production process. Raw materials from the storage are supplied through pipes located underground. Then the recycling process begins.

Later in the laboratory we will see the products: there was a dirty liquid – it became transparent, saturated in color. To a wide range of readers, highly specialized terms will not say anything, but for specialists in the field of construction or fertilizer production, these are all familiar names. Export-oriented products quickly go abroad. Nothing is stored in warehouses. Therefore, the location of the enterprise is important so that the product can be quickly delivered to the two nearest markets – Poland and Russia.

Of course, you can’t recycle everything. There are substances (28 positions in total) that require disposal at landfills in accordance with the waste management instructions.

— But we are always looking for an opportunity to recycle as much as possible, — Dmitry Mogilevsky assures. — We leave some substances in order to introduce and master a new product at future stages after the modernization of production.

As we say at the enterprise, oil products can be processed countless times. However, this requires the active participation of ordinary users – primarily drivers, members of garage cooperatives and car service workers.

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