A Type Of Recycling That Should Be More Publicized

Here's What Happens To Your Used Oil Filters

First, the oil filters are collected. This varies in every recycling company, but Lucas Lane collects used filters in 55 gallon oil drums they provide to car dealerships, mechanic shops, and whatever other place would dispose of oil filters. This is where some of the excess oil is collected.

Next, the filters are compressed into neat little cubes to squeeze out the last little bit of oil. Even after being crushed into a square, there’s still a bit of excess oil. That’s where they bring out the heat.

Finally, the now cubed filters are brought into a large oven, known as a thermal processing machine, where they are heated to 1,300 degrees where all the oil is forced out into collection receptacles at the bottom of the processor. A secondary chamber heats up to well over 1,700 degrees to burn off any excess vapors or fumes. This final stage of the process can get over 700 gallons of used oil. This leaves little cubes of now oil-less steel that can be used for all manner of manufacturing and used oil that can still be utilized.

(Jalopnik.com)