Investigation of Used Motor Oil Regeneration Efficiency with Acid, Alkali and Combined Activation of Goshica’s (Kosovo) Bentonite

Abstract

Goshica’s (Kosovo) bentonite was activated with three activation methods, namely, acid, alkaline and combined acid-alkaline activation, and their regeneration efficiency of used motor oil (UMO) having run about 15,000-20,000 km was evaluated. Optimal activation conditions of Goshica’s bentonite with the employed oil and each of the three activation methods were found out. Bentonite samples were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), as well as cation exchange capacity (CEC), surface and porosity properties before and after treatment with all three methods. Activation of bentonite brings about significant structural changes (specific surface area, pore size and volume) that depend on activation conditions and parameters, which can be predictive of the bentonite’s oil regeneration efficiency. Goshica’s bentonite activated by the combined method in the totality of the performance shows the best efficiency for the UMO regeneration.