Comparison of the Recycling Efficiency of Metakaolin and Laboratory-Synthesized Zeolite Types LTA and LSX on Used Lubricant Engine Oil

Abstract

Zeolite types LTZ and LSX were synthesized from bauxite and kaolin in Ghana and characterized by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and Fouries transformed infrared spectroscopy. The zeolites were then applied to used lubricant oil and parameters lubricant engine oil were measured and compared to those of fresh ones. Parameters such as flashpoint, viscosity index, pour point, sulfur content, heavy metals, specific gravity, refractive index and carbon residue were analyzed. The results obtained showed that zeolite types A and X successfully removed heavy metals, particularly lead, copper and iron that were in the spent oil. A removal efficiency of 23.40 % Fe, 96.76 % Zn, 19.05 % Cu and 12 % Cr were obtained for Zeolite A with a yield of 62 % whilst 32.81 % Fe, 39.00 %, Zn, 47.61 %, Cu and 24 % Cr were obtained for zeolite LSX with a yield of 67 %. The viscosity index of the virgin, zeolite LTA treated and zeolite LSX treated oils were 115, 121 and 115 respectively. These results showed that used engine oils recovered using glacial acetic acid and zeolites A and LSX can be reused.