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Print ArticleIt's liquid gold and worth more every day! Considering heating costs, the uncertainty of fuel availability and haul-off costs, waste oils can be worth up to $3.00 per gallon!
Though not classified as hazardous waste, used oil is the responsibility of the generator—in this case, the maintenance shop that created it—from the moment it is created until it is processed or burned. If you produce it, you own it. Better to burn it on site and never ship it out.
The Federal EPA and state regulatory agencies approve the "recycling" of used oils on-site. Waste oils can be burned nationwide except in California and New York City. The EPA has three requirements: 1. Units are not to exceed 500,000 BTU input; 2. Units must be vented to the outside of the facility; 3. The used oil that is burned is to be generated onsite or delivered to the site by "do-it-yourself" oil changers.
A waste oil heater is a sound investment for fleet maintenance shops, truck and heavy equipment dealerships, municipalities, quick lube facilities and other firms generating used oils and having a need for heating air or water. The colder the weather, the longer the heating season, the more one saves. Boilers are not as seasonal and can fill various needs for hot water year round.
Major advances in burner technology and design features assure dependable performance and significantly lower maintenance.
The oils are delivered to a burner specifically designed for their combustion. They are usually pre-heated and then mixed with compressed air to create an atomizing condition. Primary combustion is accomplished in the heater combustion chamber area with resultant heat being passed into the heat exchanger part of the unit. Shop air is brought into the heater and circulated over/through the heat exchanger area. This air picks up the heat from the exchanger and is then delivers it into the shop through vents on the heater or through attached ductwork. Boilers are similar, however, instead of ambient air, water is brought into the boiler. Heat is passed from the boiler heat exchanger into the water. The water exits the unit as hot water.
Heaters and boilers range in BTU input from approximately 140,000 to 500,000. Units are thermostatically controlled. Oil consumption varies depending on the model and the range of shop temperature or water temperature desired.
