APNU Councillor seeks M&CC’s permission to set up used oil refinery

By Lakhram Bhagirat

The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Councillor, Ron Persaud, wrote to the Mayor and City Councillors of the City of Georgetown seeking permission to set up a used oil refinery within the confines of the City. Mayor Patricia Chase Green read the letter at Wednesday’s Statutory Meeting.
“I would like to inform you of setting up a mini used oil refinery. This can produce hydraulic lubricant of 10 barrels per day so we can recycle used oil in the city. I discussed this in part with the Solid Waste Director, Mr Walter Narine, and I would like to, now, formally begin the process,” the letter stated.
“There is a facility like this in Tobago just commissioned. We should also be able to get funding through the Low Carbon Development Strategy or Norwegian Region Funds among others. There are also two ways of getting between $100-500 million in revenue by getting central government to implement a used oil disposal fee. The finished product can bring in between $35-50 million as a revenue base per year,” the letter added.
Persaud is the representative for Constituency Seven which comprises Bourda-Stabroek Central-Lacytown.
Automotive oil recycling involves the recycling of used oils and the creation of new products from the recycled oils, and includes the recycling of motor oil and hydraulic oil. Oil recycling also aids in the preservation of the environment by lessening the likelihood of used oil being dumped on land and in waterways.
Used oil re-refining is the process of restoring used oil to new oil by removing chemical impurities, heavy metals and dirt. The used oil is first tested to determine suitability for re-refining, after which it is dehydrated and the water distillate is treated before being released into the environment. Dehydrating also removes the residual light fuel that can be used to power the refinery, and additionally captures ethylene glycol for re-use in recycled antifreeze.