cummins recomendations for blending waste oil

[DMcPherson]

Fuel and Lube Oil Blending



Two recent rulings by the United State Environmental Protection Agency effect the practice of blending lubricating oil with diesel fuel. First, on 10Sep1992, the Office of Solid Waste of the United States Environmental Protection Agency determined that used lubricating oil was not classified as hazardous waste. In addition, the blending of used lubricating oil with diesel fuel for burning in diesel powered vehicles was determined to be an acceptable method for disposing of used lubricating oil (57 Federal Register, P. 41583, 10Sep1992). Note, state or local regulations may prohibit the blending of lubricating oil with fuel, check state and local regulations. Second, beginning 01Oct1993 diesel fuel used in motor vehicles, as defined by the EPA, in on-highway applications must contain less than 0. 055% sulfur by weight (Mandated in Section 211 of the 1990 Clean Air Amendments; 57 Federal Register, P. 19535, 07May1992). Fuel blended with lubricating oil must also meet this specification.



Cummins Engine Company allows the blending of lubricating oil with fuel used in their engines, except those equipped with an oxidation catalyst, often referred to as a catalytic converter (e. g. 1994 M11's used in transit buses, and 1994 B's and C's used in automotive applications). Cummins Engine Company permits a maximum of 5% used lubricating oil to be blended with fuel. This helps to reduce operating costs and aids in the disposal of used engine oil. The blending of new lubricating oil to raise viscosity is also permissible. This helps to increase the viscosity of lighter fuels to acceptable levels. These practices are outlined in Service Bulletin 3379001-05.



Cummins Engine Company's recommendations for the blending of lubricating oil with fuel used in its engines have not changed; however, if blended fuel used in motor vehicles, as defined by the EPA, in on-highway applications exceeds the maximum sulfur content, federal law has been violated and penalties can be assessed. To insure that blended fuel complies with the law the following procedure must be followed. Both the diesel fuel and lubricating oil must have their sulfur content measured by a qualified laboratory using the testing method specified in ASTM D2622 (American Society of Testing and Materials Standard). Using the values for the sulfur contents of the fuel and oil find the appropriate blend factor from the table below. Once the correct blend factor has been determined multiply this by the volume of fuel to be blended, the result is the amount of this oil that can be blended with this fuel and remain within legal limits.

Blend Factor Table



To determine the blend factor, locate the column in the table that corresponds to the sulfur content of the fuel, then find the row that corresponds to the sulfur content of the oil. The correct blend factor will be the value at the intersection of the row and column.

Lube Oil % Sulfur By Weight Fuel % Sulfur By Weight

0. 005 0. 010 0. 015 0. 020 0. 025 0. 030 0. 035 0. 040 0. 044

0. 10 0. 612 0. 536 0. 459 0. 383 0. 306 0. 230 0. 153 0. 077 0. 015

0. 15 0. 321 0. 281 0. 241 0. 201 0. 160 0. 120 0. 080 0. 040 0. 008

0. 20 0. 217 0. 190 0. 163 0. 136 0. 109 0. 081 0. 054 0. 027 0. 005

0. 25 0. 164 0. 144 0. 123 0. 103 0. 082 0. 062 0. 041 0. 021 0. 004

0. 30 0. 132 0. 116 0. 099 0. 083 0. 066 0. 050 0. 033 0. 017 0. 003

0. 35 0. 110 0. 097 0. 083 0. 069 0. 055 0. 041 0. 028 0. 014 0. 003

0. 40 0. 095 0. 083 0. 071 0. 059 0. 047 0. 036 0. 024 0. 012 0. 002

0. 45 0. 083 0. 073 0. 062 0. 052 0. 042 0. 031 0. 021 0. 010 0. 002

0. 50 0. 074 0. 065 0. 056 0. 046 0. 037 0. 028 0. 019 0. 009 0. 002

0. 55 0. 067 0. 058 0. 050 0. 042 0. 033 0. 025 0. 017 0. 008 0. 002

0. 60 0. 061 0. 053 0. 046 0. 038 0. 030 0. 023 0. 015 0. 008 0. 002

0. 65 0. 056 0. 049 0. 042 0. 035 0. 028 0. 021 0. 014 0. 007 0. 001

0. 70 0. 051 0. 045 0. 039 0. 032 0. 026 0. 019 0. 013 0. 006 0. 001

0. 75 0. 048 0. 042 0. 036 0. 030 0. 024 0. 018 0. 012 0. 006 0. 001

0. 80 0. 045 0. 039 0. 033 0. 028 0. 022 0. 017 0. 011 0. 006 0. 001

0. 85 0. 042 0. 037 0. 031 0. 026 0. 021 0. 016 0. 010 0. 005 0. 001

0. 90 0. 039 0. 034 0. 030 0. 025 0. 020 0. 015 0. 010 0. 005 0. 001

0. 95 0. 037 0. 033 0. 028 0. 023 0. 019 0. 014 0. 009 0. 005 0. 001

1. 00 0. 035 0. 031 0. 026 0. 022 0. 018 0. 013 0. 009 0. 004 0. 001



As an example consider 50,000 gallons of fuel with a sulfur content of 0. 04% by weight and lubricating oil with a sulfur content of 0. 5 by weight. Using the above table results in a blend factor of 0. 009. Multiply this by the amount of fuel to be blended:



* gallons of oil that can be blended = 50,000 * 0. 009

* gallons of oil that can be blended = 450



Therefore 450 gallons of this oil can blended with 50,000 gallons of this fuel and remain within legal limits for sulfur content.



The values in the blend factor table have been calculated to account for differences in fuel and lubricating oil density and measurement error. Due to the accuracy of the test for sulfur content it is not safe to blend lubricating oil with fuel that has a sulfur content above 0. 045 percent by weight.





Copyright© 1994 - 1997

Cummins Engine Company, Inc.

All rights reserved

 

[Dieselnut59]

Been blending used motor oil in my 1996 truck and my 1998 work truck for quite some time. I have put as much as 5 gallons per tankful with no problems. The "oxidation catylist" is not an issue with me, as they have been safely residing in the barn for years now and are in like new condition.

 

[DMcPherson]

I just started as well. Im not sure how much is safe. I use 2 gallons per tank. but know the 5% is just for epa standards. but with the new ultra low sulfur diesel, more will be ok. as I run it maybe Ill try more.

 

[foolkiller]

you're talking about oil from your crank case after an oil change? if so, i have some oil left over from an oil change last weekend and am tempted to go dump some in my tank right now..... any advice before i do?



jeff

 

[Nate]

I started doing it, but I have only been putting 10oz per tankfull. Bascially replacing the MMO from my "secret" blend I dump in every tank.



When I drained my oil, I made sure the pan was really clean. Then I filtered it though a 260 micron (I think) paint filter. I know it's not super fine, but it's better than nothing. Only thing it strained out was a big fly a few tiny pieces of metal I think were still in the pan from when I torn a gernaded axle apart.

 

[GLASMITHS]

I started doing it, but I have only been putting 10oz per tankfull. Bascially replacing the MMO from my "secret" blend I dump in every tank.



When I drained my oil, I made sure the pan was really clean. Then I filtered it though a 260 micron (I think) paint filter. I know it's not super fine, but it's better than nothing. Only thing it strained out was a big fly a few tiny pieces of metal I think were still in the pan from when I torn a gernaded axle apart.

Does this apply to both synthetic and mineral oil?

 

[Nate]

I use Rotella in the truck. Not sure about synthetics... I can't afford that stuff!

 

[DMcPherson]

I ma trying to find out about synthetic, i think with a small blend it is ok. I know in a waste oil heater you can only run so much so im taking that into consideration. all I did was filter it and dump it in. i added 2 gallons to a tank, and has been fine so far. I think Im going to go to 5 gallons.

its kind of funny the oil in it had dye from tracing oil leaks in our car, I wonder if the exhaust will glow in the dark now lol

 

[nps]

I dump 1-2 gallons of new motor oil every tank. I'm sure it's compliant with the sulphur content from the chart above - it'll be even better with ULSD.



I don't see why synthetics would be any different. The additive packages are the same, and the base stock is similar in molecular composition.

 

[DMcPherson]

well depending on the synthetic. mobil woul dbe fine. Im not sure about amsoil or the like though.

 

[keimmmo]

I just returned to Mexico from a trip to Illinois. I burned over 50 gallons of used oil on the trip! What a savings!!!



On the 01. 5 I add up to 4 gallons to a tank... usually just one or two. The 92 will smoke too much to stand with over a couple of quarts to a tank! I HAVE noticed that I have to really cut back on how much oil I put in the fuel if there is any Bio blended with the diesel! Bio and used oil in the same tank REALLY make smoke!!!



Steve Keim

 

[DavidC]

Does this apply to both synthetic and mineral oil?

I have read on this board that synthetics do not burn very well and generally just make a mess. I burn dino Rotella and have stayed away from synthetics because of that post.



Dave

 

[DavidC]

I just returned to Mexico from a trip to Illinois. I burned over 50 gallons of used oil on the trip! What a savings!!!

So, are you the Jiffy Lube Bandit . Are there a bunch of empty crankcases between Illinois and Mexico ?. Where in the world did you come up with that much used oil ?



Dave

 

[GLASMITHS]

I have read on this board that synthetics do not burn very well and generally just make a mess. I burn dino Rotella and have stayed away from synthetics because of that post

Dave

That has been my impression; that synthetics don't burn t oo good. I also use rotella, but the 5-40 synthetic. :{ But I won't change back...

 

[rjohnson916]

I read the message in the first post about catalyst/ converters etc... My 2005 has a cat, can I still run dino through the fuel without any issue? I have been running basic ATF with my fuel for some time now with no problems or issues, I would greatly appreciate any advise.



-Ryan

 

[Nate]

Is oil from a gas engine ok too? I was figuring the gas that's in the oil would be bad if it was put in a diesel tank?



I just am using my oil from the truck. I know it's not mixed with other stuff, etc. I can't afford to replace a VP44 because I put some junk oil in it from Jim Joe Bob's tire center.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I would shy away from synthetics, especially the Base IV stuff like Amsoil. Tried it once in my '01 and got a little puff of blue smoke occasionally when rolling into the throttle, even warmed up.



Gasser oil is fine too, I've burned quite a bit of it. I have a couple friends giving me their old motor oil to use.



rjohnson ATF is a bad idea on any Cummins pump, because the friction modifiers can be abrasive to pump & injector components.



Only caution I see about putting motor oil in is not putting much in during cold weather (during winter). No need to filter it before putting it in (it should be pretty clean if you're changing oil filters). I use a clean pan, let it settle a couple weeks for good measure, then not pour in the last 1/2 quart out of the pail. I stay with a max of 2 gallons. I wonder how the cat on my '98 is liking it though. It's going to go bye bye eventually.



Vaughn

 

[Nate]

I'm glad I filtered it though. There were a few bugs that had died in my oil pan and would have ended up in my fuel system.

 

[keimmmo]

I am one of the ones who has posted about avoiding burning synthetic motor oil. I don't think the stuff burns at all! However, in small quantities, it seems to work acceptably. Drain oil from gassers also work fine. The amount of gasoline in the oil is too small to cause problems.



Someone asked where I find so much used oil. I have a number of farmer and mechanic friends who have BARRELS of it!!! I could get enough to run straight used oil if the truck would swallow it!!!



Steve Keim

 

[Greenleaf]

I have more used oil than I can rid the shop of, (twenty six school buses) not to mention used cooking oil generated by the three cafeterias here. They simply don't know what to do with it and it is now mandated to change it out regular like. Something they have never had to do.



My used lube is is not very clean once it's drained out. It would become a Big PITA to collect it/store it/despense it so it's given away to local folk who use the waste oil furnace. It's up to them to drain off the water and filter out the road salt etc etc.



Used lube is drained into a vat down inside the service pit and is pumped out with a pnumatic pump into barrels. Full of trash.