Waste Lubricating Oil Research: Geographical and Seasonal Variations in Used Lubricating Oil Basestock Composition, Part 2

摘要

Geographical and seasonal variations in the composition of used automobile lubricating oil were evaluated in this second of a four-part study. Ten used oils were analyzed by standard physical and chemical tests to measure contaminant levels, and the same oils were separated by chromatographic procedures to estimate the quantity of probable compound types and the distribution of major structural groups. In addition, five pairs of waste crankcase drainings were obtained from identical sources at five locations within the continental United States at differing times of the year to evaluate compositional variations that can be considered seasonal fluctuations. Based upon the results of this study, there were no apparent systematic or significant variations in either contaminants or hydrocarbon composition attributable to seasonal variations, and the indications are that compositing crankcase drainings at collection points minimize significant variations in composition. The third part of this study will complete the assessment of used lubricating oil compositional variations with the analysis of 10 more used oils giving a total of 30 samples for comparison.