“Waste oil reforming” is an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient process that transforms hazardous waste such as industrial waste oil and used lubricating oil into valuable combustible gases like methane (CH₄) and hydrogen (H₂). These gases can be used for power generation, heating, or reuse in other systems. Let’s take a closer look at this promising method of energy recovery from waste resources~
1. What is Waste Oil Reforming?
Waste oil reforming refers to the process of thermally cracking or catalytically reforming waste oils—such as used lubricating oil, mineral oil, and hydraulic oil—into reusable products like fuel oil, base oil, or gaseous fuels.
Common feedstocks include:
Used lubricating oil (from industrial equipment or vehicles)
Waste hydraulic oil, engine oil
Cutting oil, emulsified oil, and other mixed oil liquids
2. Basic Process Flow of Waste Oil Reforming
（1） Pre-treatment (Dehydration & Impurity Removal) Removes free water and mechanical impurities to prevent emulsification and corrosion.
（2） Thermal or Catalytic Cracking
Temperature: 300–500°C (lower than typical plastic pyrolysis)
Atmosphere: Usually inert or under slight vacuum to prevent explosions
Cracking products:
Liquid: Pyrolysis oil (can be refined into diesel or base oil)
Gas: Tail gas (H₂, CH₄, C₂–C₄, etc.)
Solid: Residue (coke or asphalt-like material)
（3） Condensation System Separates gas and liquid; cools condensable components into oil products.
（4）Tail Gas Recovery Non-condensable gases are collected and purified for use as fuel for heating or power generation.
3. Composition of Combustible Tail Gas from Waste Oil Reforming
These tail gases are rich in calorific value and can be used in systems such as boilers, gas engines, or gas turbines. In some setups, part of the gas is recirculated to heat the pyrolysis furnace itself, creating a self-sustaining system. The surplus gas, once purified, can be used for electricity generation.
4. Environmental Protection & Key Considerations
（1） Tail gases may contain impurities like H₂S and tar vapors, requiring purification steps such as cooling, oil removal, drying, and desulfurization.
（2） For safety, systems must be explosion-proof. When hydrogen content is high, oxygen levels must be strictly controlled to avoid forming explosive mixtures.
Jiangsu Kelinyuan has been deeply engaged in the field of gas-fired internal combustion generator sets for many years. Our independently developed products cover a wide power range and are suitable for diverse industrial applications. In recent years, our equipment has been applied in power generation scenarios using pyrolysis gas, yellow phosphorus tail gas, ferroalloy tail gas, natural gas, and more.
We employ advanced in-cylinder mixture direct injection technology to significantly enhance combustion efficiency and operational stability. At the same time, Kelinyuan’s integrated solution—centered on “gas purification + internal combustion power generation”—provides robust and complete power generation support even for complex gases like pyrolysis gas. This ensures long-term stable system operation, helping enterprises optimize their energy management and sustainability goals.
