Downstream
As an alternative to cost-intensive disposal of slop or waste oil, GEA has developed a method to recycle the slop oils into the refining or oil treatment process. The advantages for our customers: an optimum use of resources.

Slop oil and oily sludge are by-products of upstream and downstream oil processes, generated from various sources such as DAF units, API separators, lagoons, oil pits, and tank bottoms. These waste streams contain a high percentage of oil, water, and solids, making them difficult to manage due to their high viscosity, emulsion content, and abrasive particles. Proper treatment of slop oil is crucial as it reduces hazardous waste volumes, minimizes environmental impact, and recovers valuable hydrocarbons that would otherwise be lost.
GEA offers a comprehensive solution for the treatment of slop oil, combining mechanical separation with heating and chemical enhancement. Our decanter centrifuges and disk-type separators are tailored to handle varying compositions of slop oil, ensuring efficient recovery of saleable hydrocarbons and reducing overall disposal costs. GEA's expertise in centrifugal separation technology ensures that our customers receive reliable, high-performance solutions that meet their specific needs.
Explosion-protected versions for the zone 2 or zone 1 according to ATEX compliance make for maximum safety in all relevant process stages. Thanks to our blanketing principle, products which are classified as hazardous can also be heated and processed reliably at temperatures above their flash point.
For feedstock material that can be efficiently processed through dewatering and simultaneous oil and water separation, GEA's 3-phase single-stage decanter centrifuges are the preferred solution. These centrifuges can handle high solid content achieving maximum dewatering and clarification in one stage, making them ideal for easier slop oil treatment requirements.

Single-stage treatment with 3-phase decanter centrifuge
In cases where the feedstock is more challenging to treat or higher oil quality is required, GEA's double-stage treatment process becomes more viable. This involves using 2-phase decanter centrifuges followed by high-speed disk stack centrifuges. The disk stack machines process the decanter centrate phase, separating ultra-fine particles and maximizing water removal. This results in a high-quality oil product that can be merchandized similarly to crude oil.

Double-stage treatment with 2-phase decanter centrifuges and disk stack centrifuges
GEA's advanced centrifugal separation technology offers a robust and efficient solution for the treatment of slop oil and oily sludge. Our tailored single and double-stage treatment processes ensure maximum recovery of valuable hydrocarbons while minimizing environmental impact and disposal costs. With GEA, you can trust in a partner that delivers reliable, high-performance solutions backed by over a century of expertise in the field.
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