Distribution and Migration of Particular Pollutants in Products and Residues of Used Mineral Oil Regeneration Processes

Abstract

The distribution and migration characteristics of heavy metals; benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX); and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in crude oil, regenerated oil products, and waste residues from four typically used mineral oil regeneration processes were analyzed. Results indicated that the majority of heavy metal and BTEX in crude oils entered into waste residues and regenerated oils, respectively, while PAHs contaminants would be transferred and accumulated in refined oil or waste residue basing on different regeneration process. These specific differences were primarily related to the actual operating conditions of selected regeneration process and the sources of particular contaminants in crude oil. Exogenous and newly generated heavy metal, BTEX, and PAHs were easily mixed in the regenerated products and subproducts during the regeneration process.