Refinery Oil Sludge Pyrolysis Treatment Project in Colombia

Refinery operators and waste contractors in Colombia often face one costly problem: tank bottom sludge keeps accumulating, while transport and outsourced disposal create recurring expenses. This project solution addresses a customer handling oily residue from storage tanks, separators and refinery service work.

The material contains recoverable hydrocarbons, but it also carries water, sand, metals and heavy impurities. Yushunxin therefore proposed a route focused on feedstock conditioning, stable thermal conversion and controlled residue handling.

Refinery sludge pyrolysis plant

What Factors Affect Tyre Pyrolysis Plant Cost?

The Project Focused on Four Practical Results:

Reduce accumulated
refinery sludge

Recover part of
the remaining
oil value

Lower dependence
on outsourced
disposal

Build a more
controllable
treatment schedule

Physical separation can remove free oil and water, but part of the hydrocarbon value often remains in the sludge. Long-term storage also occupies space and increases handling risk.
Pyrolysis machine gives the customer a second treatment stage. Under controlled oxygen conditions, hydrocarbon components are released as oil vapor and non-condensable gas. The condensation system collects recovered oil, while the discharge section removes the remaining solids for further management.

Which Sludge Problems Shaped the System Design?

Yushunxin placed dewatering and feed conditioning before the reactor. Mixing or preheating can support materials that do not flow consistently. This arrangement reduces loading interruptions and makes each batch easier to control.

Yushunxin matches the heating curve, reactor rotation and internal contact structure to the sludge condition. The project can also use an easier-cleaning discharge arrangement when the feedstock shows a strong coking tendency.

Acidic compounds, sulfur and salts may shorten equipment life. Standard Q345R reactor material suits many projects, while 304 or 316 stainless steel provides higher corrosion resistance.

Engineers confirm the final material after reviewing the available sludge analysis.

Pyrolyzable refinery sludge
Pyrolysis product of sludge pretreatment
Oily sludge pyrolysis treatment machine

How Does the Proposed Treatment Process Work?

The pyrolysis proposed route is:
Dewatering → conditioned feeding → controlled pyrolysis → oil-gas separation → condensation → recovered oil storage → gas reuse → cooled residue discharge → exhaust treatment

Steps of batch oil sludge pyrolysis system
  • The feeding system transfers prepared sludge into the reactor. Controlled heating then releases oil vapor, which enters the separation and condensation system.
  • The condenser collects liquid oil. After purification, non-condensable gas can return as auxiliary fuel once operation becomes stable. This reduces part of the external fuel demand.
  • The system cools solid residue before discharge. Its final route depends on composition and local handling requirements. Water seals, flame arresters and temperature monitoring are included to control backflow and abnormal conditions.

Which Yushunxin Pyrolysis Plant Fits This Project?

The YSX-F5 skid-mounted pyrolysis unit may be more suitable.

  • Regular capacity: Up to 5 TPD
  • Recommended use: Feedstock testing, limited site space and early-stage oil market validation
  • Project value: Lower initial investment and easier project deployment
  • Capacity note: Actual loading depends on sludge moisture, density and solid content. Wet sludge capacity should not be compared directly with dry-material capacity.

Yushunxin recommends the YSX 6-20 pyrolysis plant as the base configuration.

  • Common capacity: 10-ton per day
  • Recommended use: Stable refinery sludge projects with pretreatment and regular daily supply
  • Project value: Higher processing capacity than a pilot unit without the complexity of a continuous line
  • Operating advantage: Supports a complete batch process covering feeding, heating, cooling and residue discharge

Yushunxin can evaluate the YSX-C 20-50 continuous pyrolysis plant.

  • Regular capacity: 30 tons per day
  • Recommended use: Projects with a larger and more consistent refinery sludge supply
  • Project value: Higher oil output while retaining flexible continuous operation
Yushunxin refinery sludge recycling pyrolysis machine

Yushunxin provides pyrolysis plant process design, equipment manufacturing, layout planning, installation guidance, commissioning and operator training for refinery oil sludge treatment projects.

Contact Yushunxin with your sludge analysis, target capacity and site conditions. Our engineers will help you develop a practical oil sludge pyrolysis treatment route for your project.

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