Valorization of spent lubricant engine oil via catalytic pyrolysis: Influence of barium-strontium ferrite on product distribution and composition

- Investigation on pyrolysis of used engine oil.
- Yields of desirable light distillate fraction as a function of Ba-Sr. Ferrite concentration.
- Analysis of the catalytically derived liquid pyrolysate in comparison with the thermal run.
- Assessment of fuel properties of the derived liquid pyrolysate in comparison with the commercial diesel fuel.

The conversion of spent lubricant oil (SLO) into diesel like products over barium-strontium ferrite (BSFO) was investigated. The influence of BSFO on the yield and other characteristics of the distillate fractions like individual compounds, hydrocarbon group types, carbon range distribution and potential fuel properties was the main focus of the study. The results indicated that the catalyzed run with 5% BSFO generated light liquid fraction (condensable) in significant yield (86.05 wt%). The composition of the pyrolysis oil was studied via Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectroscopy (FTIR) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The results indicated the presence of aliphatics (78.34 wt%), olefinics (11.69 wt%), naphthenics (5.21 wt%), aromatics (3.51 wt%), oxygenates (0.68 wt%) and halogenated hydrocarbons (0.56 wt%) in the catalytically derived liquid fraction which confirmed its suitability as fuel and feed stock for petrochemicals. The determined fuel properties of the derived liquid oil also showed conformance with the petro-diesel which warrants its potential application as premium fuel.