About ‘Recovered Oil’

Compared with virgin oil, the quality and value of the oil ‘recovered’ from many of its very varied sources is, most often, very low and its uses can be limited. This is due to the significant contamination of recovered oil, in particular, with wastewater.

Assuming that the recovered oil had been treated and only residual water remains, the most effective processes to increase the value and uses of such recovered oil is by the use of ‘emulsifiers’ to effect an emulsification (bonding) of the oil and its water content.

This involves modifying the recovered oil’s properties or enhancing its functionality to meet specific market demands or applications.

Emulsifying chemicals can play a crucial role in this process by stabilizing oil-water emulsions, improving the dispersibility of additives or active ingredients, and enhancing the overall performance of the oil-based product. However, it is of crucial importance that any emulsification process provides for long term stability and is not plagued with phase separation (separating into separate layers).

A general outline of how emulsifiers can be used to add value to recovered oil:

Emulsion Stabilization:

    • The use of emulsifiers to stabilize recovered oil-water emulsions, thereby creating stable formulations that can be used in various applications, such as food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, or industrial products. Emulsifiers help prevent phase separation and improve the shelf life and stability of the emulsified product.

Functional Modification:

    • By incorporating emulsifiers into recovered oil formulations to modify their functional properties, such as viscosity, texture, or rheology. By adjusting the type and concentration of emulsifiers used, it’s possible to tailor the physical characteristics of the oil-based product to meet specific application requirements.

Enhanced Bioavailability:

    • The use of emulsifiers to enhance the bioavailability and absorption of active ingredients or nutrients present in recovered oil formulations. Emulsification can improve the solubility and dispersibility of hydrophobic compounds, making them more readily absorbed by the body or available for use in pharmaceutical or nutraceutical applications.

Improved Performance:

    • By incorporating emulsifiers into recovered oil-based products to improve their performance characteristics, such as stability under different environmental conditions, compatibility with other ingredients, or efficacy in specific applications. Emulsifiers can enhance the functionality and versatility of recovered oil formulations, making them more attractive to potential customers or end-users.

Value-Added Applications:

    • By developing value-added products or formulations using recovered oil as a base ingredient and incorporating emulsifiers to enhance their functionality or appeal. This could include specialty oils for cosmetics, functional food ingredients, pharmaceutical excipients, or specialty chemicals for industrial applications.

Customization and Innovation:

    • By exploring opportunities for customization and innovation in recovered oil-based products by leveraging the versatility of emulsifiers and other additives. By experimenting with different emulsifier combinations, processing techniques, or formulation strategies, it’s possible to create unique and high-value products tailored to specific market niches or consumer preferences.

Quality Assurance and Compliance:

    • By ensuring that recovered oil-based products formulated with emulsifiers meet quality standards, regulatory requirements, and safety guidelines applicable to their intended use. Conduct thorough testing and validation to verify product performance, stability, and safety before commercialization.

By using emulsification and other additives, recovered oil can be transformed from a low-value, limited function commodity into a high-value product with enhanced functionality, performance, and market appeal. This approach not only adds value to the recovered oil itself but also creates opportunities for innovation, differentiation, and market expansion in various industries and applications.

FORTecx R&D

FORTecx emulsifiers are leading chemical formulas, providing long term, dependable emulsification of oil and up to 20% water content. Whereby the guaranteed prevention of any phase separation is of critical importance, such as their use in combustion engines.

Other critical considerations are:

  • that the whole processing cost of emulsification must be economical enough to allow a significant uplift in financial returns when emulsified fuels are used. The goal of FORTecx R&D is to affect a ’10 for 1’ return, whereby the cost of emulsification must be no more than 1/10th of the increased value enjoyed by their use.
  • that its elements and ingredients making up its chemical formulas, are 100% ‘green’, ie. sourced from sustainable processes and be eco safe.

IP& Patents

There are no better emulsification IP formulas than FORTecxs emulsifiers, but there will be constant R&D to continue to remain at the forefront of progress and innovation. As progress is achieved, updated patents will be filed.