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In these days of ever-increasing energy costs, companies are looking at ways to save money. There are many different ways to cut costs such as better insulation to lower thermostat settings. But there is a money-saving alternative to heating that some shops are turning to — waste oil heaters. Some facilities are using these alternative heaters to burn used oil generated at their hangars instead of paying for expensive fuel oil or other heating utilities.
How they work
Waste oil heaters atomize waste oil to produce a fine mist that is ignited for the heat source. The oil is forced through small orifices under pressure, resulting in fine mist for combustion. Earlier generation heaters had a bad reputation for constant maintenance requirements. This was due in a large part to the fact that earlier waste oil heaters vaporized oil, creating a less-efficient burn.
In addition to atomization, the oil in waste oil heaters is preheated, so it improves the combustion properties while reducing different burns between different types of waste oils.
So, how much heat can a waste oil heater put out? One gallon of waste oil has a heat potential of around 140,000 Btus.
What types of oil can be burned?
Waste oil heaters can handle a wide variety of oils. Not only can oil from aircraft engines be used, but other oil such as transmission oil, hydraulic fluid, combustible synthetic oils, and even cooking and vegetable oils can be used.
How much oil do you need to generate?
You would need to generate around 500 to 700 gallons of oil (depending on geographical location) to fuel a waste oil heater. If you run short of oil, you can always purchase #2 fuel oil, or you may be able to purchase used oil from a collector.
What does it cost?
If you generate enough waste oil to supply the heater, then you are basically heating your hangar or shop for free. (This brings a whole other meaning to friendly fire.)
If your shop doesn't produce enough waste oil, you will need to purchase fuel. One option is to purchase #2 fuel oil. As an alternative, you may be able to purchase waste oil from a business that generates waste oil (an oil change shop for example) and doesn't want to pay for disposal. You can even offer free oil disposal to your do-it-yourself hobbyist employees. In most states you can even buy waste oil from suppliers. Typical cost of waste oil from a supplier is $.30 to .50 per gallon.
Some heaters are also able to run on an alternative fuel source such as natural gas.
What does the EPA say?
The EPA allows waste oil to be burned so long as it was generated on-site or donated from small do-it-yourselfers. See 40 CFR 266.41. The environmental impact is significant: Used oil is the largest single source of water pollution in the United States. One gallon of used oil can ruin 1 million gallons of water and create an eight-acre slick on surface water.
Waste oil heaters can provide many benefits. You can dispose of used oil generated at your facility, save the cost of someone disposing of it for you, and generate free heat to keep your employees warm and productive. If you are considering purchasing a waste oil heater, contact the manufacturers below.
author: By Joe Escobar