Integrated with decanter centrifuge + thermal washing + pyrolysis technology, thermal desorption unit effectively converts oil-contaminated soil and sludge (including landing sludge, tank bottom sludge, refining sludge, etc.) with complex compositions into usable fuel oil. After processing, the remediated soil and sludge can be safely reused or returned to the site, fully meeting governmental environmental standards. This approach not only ensures clean and efficient recycling but also maximizes resource recovery, promoting both profitability and environmental sustainability. Read on to explore TDU – an environmental remediation solution for contaminated soil and sludge.
Thermal desorption technology is a term applied to treat many different types of soils or sludge contaminated with hazardous waste.
A complete tdu unit system generally consists of two main components: a reactor that applies thermal desorption technology and an off-gas treatment system. The reactor heats contaminated materials to separate hydrocarbons from solid matrices, while the off-gas treatment unit processes vaporized compounds for further recycling(fuel oil) or safe discharge(sand & solid residue). According to the type of the equipment existing on the market and the location of installation, TDU can be classified as follows:
Beston Group’s TDU adopts indirectly heated, ex-situ treatment process, suitable for LTTD & HTTD.
Elite International, an Omani company, focuses on oil sludge treatment. As environmental regulations tighten, traditional low-cost disposal methods no longer meet compliance standards. To avoid penalties and improve its corporate image, the company is adopting thermal desorption treatment solutions. Currently, the project has become a regional benchmark, promoting sustainable waste management and offering a cutting-edge and environmental friendly solution for oil sludge treatment in Oman.
Since its successful operation on December 10, 2024, the project has been running stably.
This project is not only a benchmark for efficient production but also a platform for industry exchange. In June 2025 and February 2026, Beston Group successfully hosted two consecutive Oil Sludge Harmless Treatment Technology Exchange Conferences at this site. Most recently, on February 11–12, 2026, the 2nd Conference brought together Omani government officials and international industry leaders at Elite International’s project site. By observing the stable operation and output of the BLJ-16 equipment firsthand, guests witnessed Beston’s expertise in achieving harmless treatment and resource utilization of oil sludge.
Beston Group remains committed to hosting future exchange conferences to drive industry innovation. Join us as we shape a sustainable future together! 🔗 Click the links below for detailed highlights of our past two exchange conferences!
1st Oil Sludge Conference
2nd Oil Sludge Conference
To support project feasibility, Beston Group performed extensive oil sludge testing between 2023 and 2025. On January 23, 2025, we were commissioned by a client to evaluate the pyrolysis oil yield of their tank bottom sludge. Based on these customized application requirements, the following controlled test results are provided for technical reference.
| Composition | Unit/g | Ratio/% |
|---|---|---|
| Oil | 125g | 58.7% |
| Slag | 8.5g | 4.00% |
| Water | 65g | 30.5% |
| Composition | Unit/g | Ratio/% |
|---|---|---|
| Oil | 90.5g | 45.25% |
| Slag | 21g | 10.5% |
| Water | 66.5g | 33.25% |
Beston Group has been dedicated to the design and optimization of thermal desorption unit for more than 10 years. In the latest upgrade, we integrated front-end treatment technologies: decanter centrifugation and thermal washing, combined with pyrolysis technology, achieving a 200% increase in overall efficiency. Continue reading to explore how this integrated system enhances performance.
As a critical pre-treatment step, decanter centrifuge + thermal washing can prepare the oil sludge for efficient pyrolysis. This process uses heat, emulsifiers and centrifugal force to separate oil, water, and solid particles. Through heating and stirring, the oil becomes more fluid, while water carries away fine particles and impurities. It effectively removes inorganic matter such as sand, salts, and metal particles, along with excess water. It brings key benefits to the pyrolysis process:
Pyrolysis (also known as thermal desorption) is a process in which polymerized hydrocarbons in oil sludge are thermally broken down and restructured under oxygen-free conditions. Thermal desorption equipment typically operates at 300–450 °C and continuously converts waste into valuable fuel oil, gas, and solid residues. Product composition varies depending on temperature and processing method. Key features of the pyrolysis process:
Three feeding methods for different oil sludge liquid contents:
Fuel oil is converted into higher-quality non-standard diesel through the oil distillation equipment. In this process, the fuel oil is first heated to separate components with different boiling points, then the evaporated components are cooled and liquefied.
The high-temperature exhaust gas is cooled and dedusted through a flue condenser and spray tower. Then it will go through advanced exhaust gas treatment systems, including electrostatic dust removal, activated carbon filtration, and desulfurization and denitrification, ensuring compliance with EU emission standards.
Some solid substances in oil sludge cannot participate in the thermal desorption process and eventually form solid residues. The solid residue is discharged through the water-cooled screw conveyor.
Beston Group’s comprehensive product system provides customers with 3 types to choose from. They can meet the different production needs of customers. In addition, the diverse pyrolysis equipment options ensure that customers get the most suitable solution at a reasonable thermal desorption unit price.
| Model | BLL-30 | BLJ-20 | BLJ-16 TDU | BLJ-16 Standard | BLJ-16 ULTRA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | BESTON | BESTON | BESTON | BESTON | BESTON |
| Time to Market | 2025 | 2025 | 2013 | 2013 | 2022 |
| Motor Brand | Chinese brand | Chinese brand | Chinese brand | Chinese brand | ABB Explosion-proof |
| Suitable Raw Materials | Waste plastics; Tires; Oil sludge | Waste plastics; Tires; Oil sludge | Oil sludge; Landing oil sludge; Drilling waste; Tank bottom oil sludge | Whole tire Tire blocks Oil soil with liquid content | Waste plastics; Tires; Oil sludge |
| Input Capacity (Max.) | Waste plastic pellets: 0.8-1.05t/h Rubber powder: 1.25-1.5t/h Oil sludge:1.8-2.3t/h | Waste plastic pellets: 12-13t/d Tire: 18-20t/d Oil sludge: 20-25t/d | 16-18t/batch | Whole tire Sidewall removed tire: 15-16t/batch Oil soil: 16-18t/batch | Waste plastic bales: 8-10t/batch Whole tire Sidewall removed tire: 15-16t/batch Oil sludge: 16-18t/batch |
| Working Method | Fully Continuous | Batch | Batch | Batch | Batch |
| Final Oil Quality | Pyrolysis oil Pyrolysis oil with wax or naphtha | Pyrolysis oil, Non-standard diesel and naphtha | Pyrolysis oil | Pyrolysis oil | Pyrolysis oil Pyrolysis oil with wax or naphtha |
| Reactor Material | 304/310S Stainless steel | Q345R Boiler steel and 304/316L/310S Stainless steel | 304 Stainless steel | Q345R Boiler steel | 304 Stainless steel |
| Reactor Life Span (Years) | 5-8 | Q345R Boiler steel 2-3 304/316L Stainless steel 5-8 310S Stainless steel 8-10 | 5-8 | 2-3 | 5-8 |
| Guarantee (Months) | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Delivery Time (Calendar Days) | 60-90 | 60 | 60 | 45 | 90 |
| Land Space Required (L*W*H*m) | 70*20*10 | 40*13*8 | 33*13*8 | 33*13*8 | 33*26*8 |
| Packing | 20*6*3m in bulk+13*40HQ | 1*40FR+4*40HQ | 1*40FR+8*40HQ | 1*40FR+3*40HQ | 1*40FR+8*40HQ |
| Installation Period (Calendar Days) | 60-90 | 45 | 45 | 45 | 60 |
Adopts fraction distillation technology, BLJ-20 machine enables simultaneous pyrolysis and separation of oil products, yielding both naphtha and non-standard diesel. This innovation delivers:
With a ø2800×10000 reactor design, the system boosts capacity by 50%, enabling annual treatment of 7,500 tons of oil sludge. This upgrade results in:
By adopting thermal dynamic sealing and flexible high-temperature insulation technologies, the reactor achieves superior sealing compared to conventional pyrolysis systems. This provides:
Beston Group’s BLL-30 continuous thermal desorption unit has achieved significant performance enhancements through key technical breakthroughs. These upgrades enable investors to realize higher output, lower operational costs, and enhanced operational stability. These upgrades together demonstrate the effectiveness of the BLL-30 in addressing environmental challenges caused by soil/oil sludge contamination. Below are the key highlights of BLL-30:
With an advanced oil-gas condensation system, tdu unit supports:
Reuses 80% of high-temperature exhaust and utilizes 20% for preheating the air supply, the plant supports:
Adopt automated combustion and heat recirculation system, the machine can achieve:
Full use of syngas: The entire system makes full use of the syngas generated in the reactor for secondary combustion. This reduces energy consumption. Combustible gas is purified by water seal to ensure clean combustion.
Significantly reduces the volume of oil sludge as well as the oil and water content in the residue.
Thermal desorption unit can recover high-quality fuel oil and syngas and improve energy efficiency through heat recovery.
Waste water and gas generated during operation can be recycled within the system, while the treated soil/sludge complies with national regulations and can be safely landfilled or reused.
Oil sludge is generated during the extraction, gathering, transportation and refining process of oil. It is a mixture of mud, sand and water contaminated by organic matter such as crude oil. Unlike scrap tyre or waste plastic, this waste has a complex composition. It can be divided into various types based on its origin and composition. Each type has a different water, oil and solids content.
| Source | Type | Water Content % | Oil Content % | Solid Content % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
(Global share: 40%) | Oil-based Cuttings | 8~15 | 15~25 | 60~80 |
| Waste Oil-based Mud | 40~50 | 10~20 | 30~40 | |
| Oil-contaminated Soil | 5~25 | 5~10 | 70~90 | |
(Global share: 15%) | Tank Bottom Oil Sludge | 40-70 | 20-40 | 5-40 |
| Oil-contaminated Soil | 5~25 | 5~10 | 70~90 | |
(Global share: 30%) | Oil-water Separator Sludge | 60~70 | 10~15 | 25~35 |
| Air Flotation Tank Sludge | 75~90 | 5~10 | 3~10 | |
| Activated Oil Sludge | 75~85 | ＜5 | 10~20 |
Liquid-phase wastes or highly refined oils are not recommended for TDU processing, as they lack the necessary solid phase for effective thermal desorption. These include:
The naphtha and non-standard diesel recycled from tdu unit has diversified applications that make recycled oil popular in the market. This gives it a wide range of sales channels. See the following uses:
The solid residues produced by tdu also generate incomes as long as placement properly:
Many companies need to handle waste sludge in compliance with regulations, but lack relevant equipment, so they will seek third-party services. Investors can provide oil sludge treatment services to this industries, charge environmental protection disposal fees, and form a long-term and stable profit model. The relevant industries are as follows:
Due to the significant hazards and serious pollution caused by oil sludge, government departments in various regions provide substantial financial support for oil sludge recycling projects. These subsidies include:
Thermal desorption unit enables a closed-loop system where hazardous oil sludge is thermally treated and transformed into valuable byproducts such as fuel oil and non-toxic solids. This reduces landfill reliance and maximizes resource utilization, aligning with circular economy principles. By turning waste into revenue-generating outputs, petroleum operators improve both environmental and financial performance.
From upstream drilling sites to downstream refineries, the equipment integrates seamlessly into multiple stages of the petroleum value chain. Its energy-efficient operation supports integration into existing facilities, helping reduce overall transportation demands and streamline oil sludge management processes across various stages of production.
Oil sludge contains hazardous hydrocarbons and heavy metals that pose serious compliance risks. TDU minimizes environmental liability by reducing the toxicity and volume of waste. This proactive risk control supports ESG commitments, helps meet regulatory requirements, and enhances long-term operational resilience.
Oil sludge contains 5-50 of petroleum, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), dioxins, and radionuclides, heavy metals etc. So, it is toxic and flammable. Oil sludge pollutes the soil, water, and air resources that causing serious harm to the ecological environment and even human health. Currently, oil sludge is classified as hazardous waste. Its disposal is regulated by environmental protection agencies worldwide. Thermal desorption unit can reduce the ecological burden in the following aspects:
Thermal desorption system reduces the amount of harmful components that penetrate into the soil. Thus, problems such as soil degradation and surface vegetation destruction are solved.
Thermal desorption recovery prevents harmful substances from entering water resources. This optimizes water quality and the growth environment of aquatic organisms.
Oil sludge stored in the open air is flammable when exposed to fire. Thermal desorption recovery reduces the risk of release of sulfur-containing gases from burning.
TDU decomposes toxic volatile compounds, minimizing inhalation risks of carcinogenic substances and preventing respiratory system damage.
Across oil refining, petrochemical, and oilfield operations, oil sludge has long been a persistent environmental burden. Today, as the world accelerates the shift toward cleaner industrial practices and a circular economy, thermal desorption equipment is taking center stage in oil sludge treatment. Four major forces are accelerating the transformation of this sector:
Governments are stepping up enforcement through comprehensive environmental policies to prevent improper handling of petroleum waste. Key policies include:
Oil sludge contains recoverable oil, organic matter, and minerals. Tdu unit makes it possible to recover resources at scale. This not only maximizes material reuse but also supports the broader shift toward a circular economy, reducing both waste volumes and treatment costs.
Sustainability is now central to corporate strategy in the oil and gas sector. Oil sludge treatment is no longer just a compliance issue—it’s a reflection of environmental responsibility. Companies are increasingly adopting clean, low-emission technologies to improve ESG performance, strengthen brand value, and meet stakeholder expectations.
Oil sludge accumulation threatens safe and efficient operations, particularly in aging facilities. Treatment technologies that reduce volume and recover value are becoming essential to maintain productivity and reduce environmental risks. Upgrading sludge treatment capabilities has become a strategic priority for long-term facility sustainability.
Beston Group provides a complete EPC execution model for thermal desorption projects, covering the full project lifecycle—from engineering design and equipment manufacturing to on-site construction and operational delivery. This turnkey approach minimizes coordination efforts for clients and ensures efficient, compliant, and reliable project implementation.
–Site Planning and Process Design
–Self-Manufacturing and Materials Supply
–Installation & Commissioning Support
Beston Group thermal desorption unit has become the optimal choice for contaminated soil and oil sludge treatment. Our innovative technology helps customers extract economic value from oil sludge. Furthermore, integrated solutions guide customers from A to Z on their path to sustainable development. Just contact us to get your free customized solution. Also, you can follow us on Linkedin for more oil sludge recycling information.