Sulphur removal from used automotive lubricating oil by ionising radiation

In this work, gamma radiation was used to remove sulphur from used automotive lubricating oil. The sample was fractioned and irradiated with 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 kGy doses in a 60 Co irradiator (Gammacell-220 - 12 kCi). Fifty percent and 70% (v/v) of MilliQ water and 30% (v/v) of hydrogen peroxide were used to improve the radiolysis. The sulphur content, before and after the irradiation, was determined by X-ray fluorescence. The results showed 68% sulphur removal at 500 kGy absorbed dose with an addition of 70% (v/v) of MilliQ water.