WHAT TYPES OF WASTE OIL CAN BE USED AS RAW MATERIAL? 

What types of waste oil can be used as raw material? 

What types of waste oil can be used as raw material? 

Blog Article

Choosing the right raw material is the foundation of any successful waste oil to diesel or oil refining project. The type, quality, and condition of the waste oil you process will directly impact:


  • Diesel yield

  • Fuel quality

  • Equipment performance

  • Profitability


In this guide, I’ll explain which waste oils work best, what you need to watch out for, and how to

maximize output with different feedstocks.

Main Types of Waste Oil Suitable for Diesel Production

Here are the most common waste oil categories we process in real-world recycling systems:

  1. Used Engine Oil (Black Oil)



  • Source: Cars, trucks, generators

  • High carbon and metal content

  • Requires deeper filtration and catalytic treatment

  • Diesel yield: 750–800 L/ton



  1. Hydraulic Oil



  • Source: Heavy machinery, industrial systems

  • Lower ash and additives

  • Cleaner feedstock, easier to refine

  • Diesel yield: 800–850 L/ton



  1. Gear Oil / Transmission Oil



  • High viscosity and sulfur

  • May need pre-heating or blending

  • Usable with advanced distillation setups



  1. Transformer Oil



  • Typically mineral oil-based

  • Contains PCBs in older oils (needs testing)

  • High-purity output if clean

  • Diesel yield: >850 L/ton with pre-treatment



  1. Industrial Lubricants



  • Often synthetic or semi-synthetic

  • Yields vary based on formulation

  • Some require blending with base oils



  1. Crude Pyrolysis Oil (from Tyres or Plastic)



  • Contains wax, aromatics, light ends

  • Lower diesel fraction (650–750 L/ton)


Can be refined with proper distillation & decoloring

Can Mixed Waste Oils Be Used Together?

Yes — blending is possible. However, you must control:

  • Water content(must be <5%)

  • Soot and metal particles

  • Chlorine or halogens(can corrode equipment)

  • Viscosity(affects heating and vaporization)


We recommend pre-treatment systems for:

  • Filtration (down to 5 microns)

  • Dehydration

  • Homogenization


Proper preparation increases yield and protects your system.

Raw Materials You Should Avoid (Or Use With Caution)




























Type of Oil Issue Recommendation
Antifreeze-contaminated oil Low flash point Filter + separate
Water-emulsified oil Foams during distillation Dehydrate first
Chlorinated oils Corrosive Test before use
Synthetic esters Poor distillation performance Blend with mineral oils

Some oils can still be recycled, but require more processing.

Diesel Yield by Feedstock Type

































Feedstock Type Diesel Yield (L/ton) Processing Difficulty
Hydraulic Oil 800–850 Easy
Engine Oil 750–800 Medium
Gear/Transmission Oil 700–780 Medium-High
Pyrolysis Oil (plastic) 650–750 High
Transformer Oil (clean) 850+ Low

 Why Feedstock Choice Matters

  • The better your feedstock, the:

  • The higher the diesel output

  • Lower the residue/sludge

  • Faster your return on investment


Let’s Build Your Waste Oil to Fuel Plant

We design full waste oil refining systems from 5TPD to 100TPD. Whether you’re working with used engine oil or mixed industrial waste, we help you:

  • Test your feedstock

  • Choose the right process

  • Maximize diesel recovery

  • Stay compliant and profitable

  • The longer your system’s life cycle


We work with clients to analyze samples, design feed systems, and optimize recovery based on the exact oil types they source

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