———— Advanced technology. Complete EPC delivery.
Waste Oil Recycling Plant & Machine
Complete solution for used engine oil recycling, waste lubricating oil re-refining and waste oil to diesel production. VBOLT provides process design, equipment manufacturing, installation guidance and commissioning support based on your raw oil and target product.
Two Routes
Base oil recovery and diesel recovery
Thin Film
Core distillation technology for base oil route
EPC Delivery
From process design to commissioning support
Project-Based
Designed according to feedstock and target product
———— From waste oil to valuable resources
Not Just a Machine — A Complete Waste Oil Recycling Project Solution
Waste oil recycling is a project-based business. The correct process route must consider raw oil condition, target final product, local fuel standard, heating method, installation country, environmental requirement and long-term operating cost. VBOLT provides route-based technical solutions instead of simply supplying a single machine.
Raw Oil Complexity
Used oil may contain water, sludge, metal particles, additives, heavy residue and unstable components.
Product Target Difference
Base oil recovery and diesel recovery require different process routes, refining levels and equipment configurations.
Operating Stability
High-viscosity waste oil can cause coking, fouling and unstable distillation if the process is poorly designed.
Project Delivery
Customers need process design, layout design, equipment integration, installation guidance and commissioning support.
EPC
Engineering, procurement, manufacturing, installation guidance, commissioning and operator training for complete waste oil recycling projects.
———— Plant Film · Actual Project
WATCH THE PLANT IN OPERATION
04:05 MIN ·Full Project Film
VBOLT Project Film
Real Equipment · Real Process · Real Operation
———— Plant Film
Waste Oil Re-Refining Plant
See the complete operating workflow from feedstock pretreatment and vacuum distillation to fraction recovery and final product handling — presented directly inside the page, not as a separate video block.
Feedstock
Waste Lubricating Oil
Process
Vacuum Distillation
Output
Base Oil / Diesel-Range Product
Configuration
Modular · Skid-Mounted
———— Two technical routes
Different Product Targets Require Different Process Routes
VBOLT designs waste oil recycling plants according to the customer’s final product target. One route focuses on regenerated base oil recovery. The other route focuses on diesel-range fuel or industrial fuel oil recovery. The route must be selected before accurate engineering design and quotation.
Physical refining route
Waste Oil to Base Oil Solution
This route is suitable for customers who want to recover regenerated base oil from used engine oil, waste lubricating oil and industrial waste mineral oil.
01
Core process
Thin film distillation / vacuum distillation.
02
Deep refining
Solvent extraction, decolorization, deodorization and polishing.
03
Target product
Re-refined base oil for lubricant blending after quality control.
04
Best for
Lubricant producers, used oil re-refining companies and base oil recovery investors.
Catalytic conversion route
Waste Oil to Diesel Solution
This route is suitable for customers whose market target is diesel-range fuel, industrial fuel oil or diesel substitute fuel from used oil feedstock.
01
Core process
Catalytic cracking / thermal conversion + fractionation.
02
Deep refining
Desulfurization, odor control, color improvement and fuel polishing.
03
Target product
Diesel-range fuel or industrial fuel oil depending on local standards.
04
Best for
Fuel oil suppliers, recycling companies and industrial energy recovery projects.
———— How to choose
Choosing the Correct Technical Route Before Quotation
A waste oil recycling plant should not be selected only by capacity. The right route depends on feedstock type, available test data, local product demand, required final product quality, energy cost, environmental requirements and site conditions.
01
Raw Oil Type
Used engine oil, waste lubricating oil, hydraulic oil, mixed mineral oil or heavy waste oil may require different treatment steps.
02
Target Product
The project should clearly define whether the target product is regenerated base oil, diesel-range fuel or industrial fuel oil.
03
Local Standards
Fuel standards, base oil application requirements and environmental permitting requirements influence the final process design.
04
Operating Cost
Heating method, electricity price, fuel price, manpower and operating hours should be evaluated before project configuration.
———— Applicable feedstock
Waste Oil Materials That Can Be Evaluated
VBOLT waste oil recycling plants can be configured for different waste mineral oil materials. Before process design, our engineers usually evaluate water content, solid impurities, viscosity, sulfur content, flash point, acid value, metal content and distillation range.
———— ROUTE A
Waste Oil to Base Oil Process Route
The base oil recovery route focuses on physical separation and deep refining. It is designed to recover base oil fractions from high-viscosity used lubricating oil while reducing coking risk, improving product color and preparing the oil for lubricant blending after quality control.
01
Step 01
Raw Oil Storage
Waste oil is collected, stored and homogenized before entering the pretreatment section.
Base Oil Recovery Route
This process usually includes pretreatment, dehydration, light ends removal, thin film distillation or vacuum distillation, base oil fraction recovery, solvent refining, decolorization, deodorization and final polishing.
02
Step 02
Pretreatment & Filtration
Water, sludge, metal particles and large mechanical impurities are removed to protect downstream equipment.
Base Oil Recovery Route
This process usually includes pretreatment, dehydration, light ends removal, thin film distillation or vacuum distillation, base oil fraction recovery, solvent refining, decolorization, deodorization and final polishing.
03
Step 03
Dehydration & Light Ends Removal
Moisture and volatile light components are removed to improve vacuum distillation stability.
Base Oil Recovery Route
This process usually includes pretreatment, dehydration, light ends removal, thin film distillation or vacuum distillation, base oil fraction recovery, solvent refining, decolorization, deodorization and final polishing.
04
Step 04
Thin Film / Vacuum Distillation
High-viscosity oil is separated under controlled temperature and vacuum conditions to recover base oil fractions.
Base Oil Recovery Route
This process usually includes pretreatment, dehydration, light ends removal, thin film distillation or vacuum distillation, base oil fraction recovery, solvent refining, decolorization, deodorization and final polishing.
05
Step 05
Base Oil Fraction Recovery
The target base oil fraction is collected according to boiling range and product requirements.
Base Oil Recovery Route
This process usually includes pretreatment, dehydration, light ends removal, thin film distillation or vacuum distillation, base oil fraction recovery, solvent refining, decolorization, deodorization and final polishing.
06
Step 06
Solvent Refining
Selected refining steps help remove unstable components, color bodies, odor sources and polar impurities.
Base Oil Recovery Route
This process usually includes pretreatment, dehydration, light ends removal, thin film distillation or vacuum distillation, base oil fraction recovery, solvent refining, decolorization, deodorization and final polishing.
07
Step 07
Product Polishing
Final polishing improves clarity, odor, stability and appearance before storage or blending.
Base Oil Recovery Route
This process usually includes pretreatment, dehydration, light ends removal, thin film distillation or vacuum distillation, base oil fraction recovery, solvent refining, decolorization, deodorization and final polishing.
08
Step 08
Base Oil Storage
Qualified regenerated base oil is stored for lubricant blending or further quality adjustment.
Base Oil Recovery Route
This process usually includes pretreatment, dehydration, light ends removal, thin film distillation or vacuum distillation, base oil fraction recovery, solvent refining, decolorization, deodorization and final polishing.
———— ROUTE B
Waste Oil to Diesel Process Route
The diesel recovery route focuses on converting heavier hydrocarbon components into lighter diesel-range fractions. It is suitable for customers whose market target is industrial fuel oil, diesel substitute fuel or diesel-range product after refining.
01
Step 01
Raw Oil Pretreatment
Water, sludge and solid impurities are removed to make the feedstock more stable for conversion.
Diesel-Range Fuel Recovery Route
This process usually includes pretreatment, catalytic cracking or thermal conversion, fractionation, diesel fraction recovery, desulfurization, odor control, color improvement and fuel polishing according to local standards.
02
Step 02
Catalytic Conversion
Long-chain and heavier hydrocarbon molecules are converted into lighter diesel-range components.
Diesel-Range Fuel Recovery Route
This process usually includes pretreatment, catalytic cracking or thermal conversion, fractionation, diesel fraction recovery, desulfurization, odor control, color improvement and fuel polishing according to local standards.
03
Step 03
Fractionation
Light oil, diesel fraction, heavy oil and residue are separated through controlled distillation and fractionation.
Diesel-Range Fuel Recovery Route
This process usually includes pretreatment, catalytic cracking or thermal conversion, fractionation, diesel fraction recovery, desulfurization, odor control, color improvement and fuel polishing according to local standards.
04
Step 04
Diesel Fraction Recovery
The target diesel-range fraction is collected based on boiling range and customer product requirements.
Diesel-Range Fuel Recovery Route
This process usually includes pretreatment, catalytic cracking or thermal conversion, fractionation, diesel fraction recovery, desulfurization, odor control, color improvement and fuel polishing according to local standards.
05
Step 05
Desulfurization
Desulfurization can be configured according to sulfur content, product target and local fuel requirements.
Diesel-Range Fuel Recovery Route
This process usually includes pretreatment, catalytic cracking or thermal conversion, fractionation, diesel fraction recovery, desulfurization, odor control, color improvement and fuel polishing according to local standards.
06
Step 06
Odor & Color Control
Further refining can improve odor, color, appearance and fuel acceptance in local applications.
Diesel-Range Fuel Recovery Route
This process usually includes pretreatment, catalytic cracking or thermal conversion, fractionation, diesel fraction recovery, desulfurization, odor control, color improvement and fuel polishing according to local standards.
07
Step 07
Fuel Polishing
The fuel product is filtered and polished to improve cleanliness and handling performance.
Diesel-Range Fuel Recovery Route
This process usually includes pretreatment, catalytic cracking or thermal conversion, fractionation, diesel fraction recovery, desulfurization, odor control, color improvement and fuel polishing according to local standards.
08
Step 08
Fuel Storage
Final diesel-range fuel or industrial fuel oil is stored after quality inspection and product confirmation.
Diesel-Range Fuel Recovery Route
This process usually includes pretreatment, catalytic cracking or thermal conversion, fractionation, diesel fraction recovery, desulfurization, odor control, color improvement and fuel polishing according to local standards.
Technical focus
Thin film distillation is mainly used for base oil recovery and selected high-viscosity waste oil separation applications.
———— Core technology
Thin Film Distillation for High-Viscosity Waste Oil Separation
Thin film distillation is one of the key technologies used in the base oil recovery route. Compared with traditional kettle-type distillation, thin film distillation allows waste oil to form a thin and uniform film on the heated surface, improving heat transfer efficiency and reducing residence time.
This is especially valuable when processing high-viscosity used engine oil and waste lubricating oil, because poor heat transfer and long residence time can increase coking, fouling and unstable distillation operation.
———— Product quality improvement
Refining Depth Depends on Final Product Target
Waste oil recycling quality is not determined by distillation alone. The final product quality depends on raw oil condition, process route, refining depth, operating parameters and local product requirements.
Professional Product Statement
Final product quality should be confirmed based on feedstock test data, actual process configuration, refining depth and local application standards. VBOLT recommends technical evaluation before final quotation.
Desulfurization
Can be configured for diesel-range fuel or fuel oil projects according to sulfur content and market requirement.
Decolorization
Improves product appearance and market acceptance for base oil or fuel oil applications.
Deodorization
Reduces unpleasant odor caused by unstable components, sulfur compounds or oxidation products.
Fuel Polishing
Improves cleanliness, stability and usability of diesel-range fuel or industrial fuel oil.
Solvent Refining
Used for base oil route to improve color, stability and remove selected undesirable components.
Quality Control
Typical evaluation items include viscosity, density, flash point, water content, sulfur and distillation range.
———— Equipment configuration
Main System Components for Different Routes
The final equipment configuration depends on feedstock quality, process route, capacity, final product target, heating method, automation level and environmental requirements. VBOLT can provide modular or complete plant configuration according to project conditions.
Common System
01 Raw oil storage tank
02Feed pump and filtration system
03 Dehydration unit
04 Heating system
05 Condenser and cooling system
06 Product receiving tanks
07 PLC control system
08 Waste gas treatment system
01
Base Oil Route
01 Thin film evaporator
02Vacuum distillation system
03 Base oil fraction receiver
04 Solvent refining system
05 Decolorization unit
06 Deodorization unit
07 Product polishing system
08 Base oil storage tank
02
Diesel Route
01 Catalytic conversion reactor
02Fractionation column
03 Diesel condenser
04 Desulfurization system
05 Odor control unit
06 Color improvement system
07 Fuel polishing system
08 Diesel-range fuel tank
03
———— Heating and utility options
Designed According to Local Energy Cost and Project Scale
Heating method is an important part of project economics. VBOLT can evaluate heating options according to local natural gas price, electricity price, fuel oil availability, environmental requirement, capacity and site condition.
01
Natural Gas Heating
Suitable for many industrial-scale projects where gas supply is stable and cost is competitive.
02
Diesel Heating
Can be used where diesel fuel is available and installation conditions allow fuel-fired heating.
03
Electric Heating
Suitable for compact systems, small units or sites where electric heating is easier to control.
04
Waste Oil Fuel
Can be evaluated when the project has available suitable fuel residue or waste oil fuel source.
05
Thermal Oil System
May be configured for selected process sections depending on required temperature and safety design.
———— Automation, safety and environment
Stable Operation Requires Control, Protection and Emission Handling
Waste oil recycling plants involve heating, distillation, vacuum, condensation, residue discharge and refining. A complete project should consider automation, safety interlocks, odor control, non-condensable gas handling and local environmental requirements.
PLC Control
Monitors key operating conditions such as temperature, pressure, vacuum, pump operation and liquid level.
Safety Protection
Can include over-temperature protection, pump protection, emergency shutdown and pressure monitoring.
Gas Handling
Non-condensable gas and odor control systems can be configured according to local requirements.
Residue Management
Heavy residue discharge and collection should be designed to maintain stable operation and reduce downtime.
———— Complete EPC delivery
From Process Design to Project Landing
VBOLT provides waste oil recycling project support from early technical evaluation to equipment manufacturing, installation guidance, commissioning and operator training. The goal is to help customers build an operable and commercially practical recycling project.
Gas Handling
Non-condensable gas and odor control systems can be configured according to local requirements.
Procurement & Manufacturing
Core equipment manufacturing, material selection, supporting equipment procurement, quality control, modular assembly and packaging.
Construction & Commissioning Support
Installation guidance, piping connection support, electrical guidance, system commissioning, trial production, operator training and spare parts support.
Turnkey Support
From process route selection to manufacturing, installation guidance and commissioning support.
———— Before proposal
Information Needed Before Technical Proposal and Quotation
Waste oil recycling plant quotation should be based on real project conditions. To recommend the correct process route and equipment configuration, VBOLT usually needs the following information before preparing a technical proposal.
Raw Oil Information
01Raw oil type and source
02Available oil test report
03Water and solid impurity content
04Sulfur content if available
05Viscosity, density and flash point if available
06Estimated daily or monthly available feedstock
Project Information
01 Target final product: base oil or diesel-range fuel
02Daily processing capacity
03Installation country and site condition
04Local voltage and power supply
05Preferred heating method
06Environmental or permitting requirements
———— Product quality improvement
Refining Depth Depends on Final Product Target
Waste oil recycling quality is not determined by distillation alone. The final product quality depends on raw oil condition, process route, refining depth, operating parameters and local product requirements.
Waste Oil Recycling Companies
For companies collecting used oil and converting it into higher-value products.
Lubricant Manufacturers
For customers targeting regenerated base oil for lubricant blending applications.
Fuel Oil Suppliers
For projects targeting diesel-range fuel or industrial fuel oil recovery.
Environmental Companies
For waste treatment companies building resource recovery and circular economy projects.
Industrial Parks
For centralized treatment of waste oil from factories, vehicles and industrial equipment.
Oil Collection Networks
For operators who collect used engine oil and need a downstream processing route.
Refinery Investors
For investors seeking modular or industrial waste oil re-refining projects.
Government Projects
For local environmental programs focused on waste oil pollution reduction and reuse.
———— Technical FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
This module will contain product-specific technical and commercial questions after the content stage.
———— Get a customized proposal
Tell Us Your Raw Oil and Target Product
Our engineering team will evaluate whether your project is more suitable for the base oil recovery route or the diesel recovery route, then prepare a customized EPC technical proposal.
Request Waste Oil Recycling Technical Consultation
Share your raw oil type, target product, project capacity, installation country, heating preference and available oil test data. VBOLT will help evaluate the suitable route and project configuration.