The problem of disposal.

Generator maker sees used motor oil potential | Planetary Gear - CNET News: "There is a reason why the Phoenix Power Group is so keen on used oil.

The generator designer and manufacturer is a subsidiary of the Atlantic Systems Group, a Harrisonburg, Va.-based company that designs and builds automotive oil change and service stations. That's obviously a group of people who think a lot about used oil and its problem as a potential contaminate to our water supply. As it's been noted before in other articles on motor oil, the Environmental Protection Agency contends that dumping the waste oil from just one car's oil change into the ground can contaminate up to 1 million gallons of fresh water."

(BITOG)

Welcome: "Bob Is The Oil Guy (BITOG) began in May 2002 with a handful of participants and now our oil forums have over 28,000 registered members. And we have well-respected tribologists, chemists, and oil analysis professionals who regularly participate and contribute their knowledge and expertise.

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Used oil: An often overlooked resource

American Recycler, January 2010 - : "Long before it became widespread practice to recycle paper, plastics and other waste stream commodities, used oil was recycled to recover its innate heating value. Even though it’s dirty and exhausted of lubricity, a gallon of used oil contains 140,000 BTUs of energy, approximately the same heating value of a new gallon of oil.

Used oil is a broad category that includes mixes of crankcase oils, transmission and hydraulic fluids, and industrial oils of many grades and qualities. EPA defines used oil as any oil refined from crude or synthetic that has been used and thereby contaminated by physical or chemical impurities. It’s not publicly traded as a commodity. Most transactions are private and most people involved in the business are reluctant to talk about price or the volume distributed. Therefore, there is scant and conflicting data on this sector.

An EPA Material Characterization Paper published in December 2008 estimated the quantity of used oil generated annually at 1.35 billion gallons with 784.4 million gallons used as fuel, 160.7 million gallons re-refined and 200 million gallons going to landfills or illegally dumped. A long-time executive in the used oil business estimated that over 50 percent goes to industrial burning for energy, about 20 percent to re-refining into base lubricants and 15 to 18 percent to on-site heating.

Nobody knows how much is illegally dumped, but the consensus is that illegal disposal has decreased substantially over the past few decades. “Used oil is a big business today and grows with each hike in the price of a barrel of crude. Anyone foolish enough to dump it on the ground or down a storm sewer is not only subject to criminal penalties, but is also wasting a valuable commodity,” said Rob Stevens, president and CEO of EnergyLogic, a Nashville-based manufacturer of used oil furnaces and boilers."

Magnusson Moss Act

How Safe are Extended Oil Change Drain Intervals?: "It's Federal Law as dictated by the Magnusson Moss Act for the car manufacturer to void your warranty for using oil with longer drain intervals unless they provide both the oil and the labor to change it, free of charge, so the warranty is not at issue. If the motor oil is capable of protecting your car for longer, than your car does not benefit from changing it more often. You, who has to pay for the oil, certainly do not benefit from spending more money. Oil manufacturers are in business to turn a profit and any way they can they will. Their oil change recommendations are geared towards maximizing profits and keep you coming back as often as possible."

Skepticblog » Oil Change Interval

Skepticblog » Consumer Rant – Oil Change Interval: "For years, the recommended oil change interval for gas-powered cars in the US has been every 3,000 miles. This 3,000 miles interval is so well programmed into the psyche of the driving public that for many, drivers, mechanics, and dealers alike, it’s sacrosanct. I’m trying to break a superstitious habit.

Let’s start with the fundamentals – why we need to change the oil in the engine? Because oil gets “used up.” This means that after being in the engine crankcase, churned at high temperature by the crankshaft and circulated throughout the bearings, it will eventually lose it’s lubrication quality. This lost of lubrication is due to contamination from the engine (anti-freeze, unburned gasoline, metallic particulates from the bearing) and physical destruction of the oil molecules due to intense heat and sheer forces which the oil is subjected to."

Intrusion Detection & Oil Condition Monitoring - ChemInfo

Intrusion Detection & Oil Condition Monitoring - ChemInfo: "In early 2008, a paper industry technical group encountered a new product that appeared to hold potential benefit for industrial applications. The IntelliStick technology for real-time intrusion and oil condition monitoring in vehicles appeared to have potential use instationary equipment. Although proven indevelopment and vehicular applications, IntelliStick was new to the severe challenges of a paper mill environment.

Subsequently, the industry group and IntelliStick Inc. agreed to conduct a Pilot Program at three mill locations. The purpose of the program was to evaluate the technology in operating environments, using a real-time oil condition and intrusion monitor system to help protect critical equipment against failure (repair or replacement), and help assure maximum up-time. Further, the IntelliStick instrument design, features, capabilities and benefits would be evaluated with on-going feedback regarding performance and future design enhancements for this environment."

Developing An Effective Oil-Analysis Program

Developing An Effective Oil-Analysis Program: "Oil analysis is a key component to any reliability condition-monitoring program. But it requires much thought and planning to implement a successful program—starting with the selection of the oil-analysis laboratory. The laboratory will be a valued partner in your overall oil-analysis process, so choose carefully. Once it has been selected, let your lab help in the implementation of your program through assistance in sampling, test-slate selection, data-evaluating techniques and training.

Consistency is an enormous factor in the success of your program. Pick an overall program coordinator and give him/her the tools to make the program pay off. Use the same people to do the oil sampling.

In a down economy, unless the program is justified on a cost/benefit basis, it will not survive. Make sure that you track and document the results and let everyone—especially management—know about the return on investment."